A Memphis Grizzlies versus Brooklyn Nets matchup looked like the perfect time to watch another James Harden masterpiece. He is rounding into form two months into the season. He’s been killing it lately, coming off a month where he averaged 26 points and 11 assists. However, the Memphis Grizzlies had other ideas, and, like any good writer, I let the story lead me.
This game was all about the young Memphis Grizzlies and how they are continuing to build a very strong team. Despite being the second youngest in the league, missing Ja Morant for 12 games and Dillon Brooks for 19, Memphis is currently sitting in 4th in the West (24-14). With their budding core, the Grizzlies took it to the Nets on Monday night. Let’s dive into the 118-104 win that wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicates.
Terrorizing Gotham
I wish I was smooth enough to come up with this quote on my own. I cannot hold a candle to the great Nets announcer, Ian Eagle. Eagle had his Bane references ready for the game on Monday and Desmond Bane made sure they could be used. The 2nd year pro is turning into a high-level role player as the Grizzlies look to fill out their roster around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr. Coming into the game, Bane is averaging 17.2/4.3/2.2 while shooting 41% from deep on 6.8 attempts.
With no Dillon Brooks for the game, Bane was going to need to show out on both offense and defense. He did, in fact, terrorize Gotham as the Batman villain once did. He finished the night scoring 29 points with five threes and chipping in eight rebounds. Bane was steady throughout the game, scoring 7-6-7-10 by quarter. His ability to score in a multitude of ways, whether it was on catch and shoot from deep, pump and pull up, getting all the way to the cup, or hit floaters, Bane showed why he is a fabulous release valve for Morant.
On defense, you can see how Bane uses both strength and solid length to fit well within the Grizzlies scheme. With Dillon Brooks out, Bane had increased responsibility in having to check James Harden. He showed he was up to the task, particularly in the second half. Harden was held to four points on four free throws as the lead exploded for the Grizzlies. Bane being able to combine strength, athleticism, and smooth scoring is giving the Grizzlies a plus wing duo with him and Brooks.
What Would Break First, the Spirit or the Body
Two-for-two on stealing Batman quotes from Eagle as he dropped this during the back-breaking 3rd quarter for the Grizzlies. After halftime, the Nets broadcast interviewed assistant coach David Vanterpool who said his team was currently being out physicaled by the Grizzlies. If there was a stat to show exactly that, it was the 33-16 rebounding advantage Memphis held at halftime.
With an 18-6 rebounding advantage in the third, resulting in 40-26 quarter, it’s safe to say the Nets body broke first. The mind quickly followed suit. Instrumental to the breakdown of the body was Steven Adams, the gigantic New Zealand center. In the first three quarters, Adams had seven offensive rebounds, and that barely captures the physical element he brought to the game. His textbook box-outs wore down the slight Nets inside and freed up his teammates to scoop up errant shots.
With Adams and Morant on your team plus Bane and Dillon Brooks, it makes sense that the Grizzlies would lean into a physical brand of basketball. In a season that is being rocked by Covid again, the ability to wear down opponents via force can help an undermanned team like the Grizzlies. This new iteration of the Memphis Grizzlies has maintained their Grit n Grind identity while going about the style in a new way.
Ja Rule
I would be remiss to write a post about the Grizzlies and not include something about Ja Morant. Did I lift a third subheading from Ian Eagle? You’re damn right I did. In the midst of Morant scoring 18 in a 40 point 3rd quarter, it was appropriately delivered by Eagle. As I wrote earlier this season, Morant is reminiscent of more bouncy Allen Iverson, and Ja continues to prove me right.
Morant finished the game with 36 points on 64% shooting with six rebounds and eight assists to boot. In the breakaway third, Morant used complete command of the change of pace dribble to get to his mixture of floaters, pull-ups, and lay-up. As you watch Morant, it’s apparent he is in complete control of what he wants his body to do. How he needs to manipulate the defense and then react when he gets them off balance.
The Nets’ lack of point of attack defense, only made it easier for Ja to toy with whatever primary defender he was dealt. This left the bulk of his focus on tricking the big men waiting for him. Moving forward, Morant exhibited this type of command over the offensive side will more than make up for defensive shortcomings. It could even catapult him to starting spot in the All Star Game, and a playoff series win. Oh yeah, Ja also had a thunderous dunk in that huge 3rd quarter.
Moving Forward
To me, it’s past the point where we wonder if the Memphis Grizzlies will fall back to the pack in the West. They’ve had 2 of their best players miss double-digit games and kept winning. They are watching players like Bane step up in ways they weren’t expecting, giving them more punch on both ends. They have a bonafide star playing efficiently and in control. Plus, you can tell they believe in what their coaching staff is preaching. There remains the possibility they get caught by one or two streaking teams. But, if they fall, it won’t be due to a long slump. The Grizz are for real.
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