As the Memphis Grizzlies took to the court against the Brooklyn Nets, fans hoped for a display of prowess and cohesion. However, the evening unfolded in unexpected ways, presenting both challenges and observations about Memphis's gameplay and strategy.
A Tough Fourth Quarter
The Grizzlies found themselves on a precarious edge as they entered the fourth quarter, trailing the Nets by just one point. What seemed like a manageable deficit quickly spiraled, with the Nets expanding their lead to 13 points in the span of just eight minutes. The absence of key players such as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. during this crucial stretch added to Memphis's woes. Morant, a focal point on both ends of the court, was notably absent for much of this period, leaving a void in the Grizzlies' offensive and defensive lineup. Concurrently, Jaren Jackson Jr. was benched for over four minutes, further complicating the team's dynamics.
Injury Concerns and Rotational Challenges
The injury bug bit hard, as Desmond Bane exited early due to an oblique injury, while Marcus Smart was sidelined with a right ankle injury. These setbacks forced Head Coach Taylor Jenkins to constantly juggle his lineup, creating an ad-hoc strategy on the fly. "There's a lot of things on the table. We have guys getting hurt in the middle of the game, so we're having to adjust. We're having guys out in the starting lineup, in and out, all that, so that kind of changes things," Jenkins noted. His pragmatic approach tried to balance game opportunities while safeguarding his players' well-being.
Experimentation with Lineup Depth
In a bold move, Jenkins employed an all-bench lineup between the 9:20 and 5:58 marks of the fourth quarter, a testament to Memphis's depth and Jenkins's willingness to explore his bench capabilities. This strategy aligns with Memphis's early-season pattern of employing an 11- or 12-man rotation, contrasted by many teams, including the Golden State Warriors, who follow similar unconventional rotations without giving one player 30-minute game exposure. So far, Santi Aldama leads the team in playing time, averaging 27.7 minutes per game, with no player logging a full 30 minutes in any game this season.
The Pace and Challenges Ahead
Even with the challenging game dynamics, Memphis holds an impressive spot, ranked second in the league for offensive pace. Balancing a rapid offensive strategy against the backdrop of a packed schedule—with six games in just nine days—and a 2-3 record highlighting their early-season inconsistency.
Ja Morant's insights provide a window into the cautious yet optimistic approach the team is embracing. "Obviously, it's a process. You got to be smart. You don't want to go throw me in there for 36 minutes. God willing, nothing happens, but you just got to be smart," he commented, emphasizing the need for calculated player deployment and injury management. This sentiment echoes Jenkins's careful positioning of Morant during his return from a preseason absence, as he noted, "We're working with him and the medical team about how we want to deploy him over this stretch right now. Obviously, he was out for a portion of preseason, so getting his game legs and conditioning right."
Building Chemistry Amidst Change
Despite a challenging start, there is no lack of ambition or potential within the Grizzlies' roster. Each game offers fresh opportunities to cultivate chemistry and capitalize on their intrinsic talent. Jenkins captures this evolving narrative perfectly, stating, "Every game is presenting a new opportunity to try to find chemistry." With key players poised to return and adapt to the season's demands, Memphis looks to navigate its growing pains and emerge as a competitive force in the league.