Relying on Depth: Grizzlies' Committee Approach Gets Results

The Memphis Grizzlies, initially projected as a Western Conference wildcard at the beginning of the season, have emerged as a formidable force. With an impressive record of 17-8 and victories in nine of their last 10 games, Taylor Jenkins' team now sits in second place in the competitive Western Conference standings.

After taking down the defending champion Celtics in Boston, the Grizzlies followed up by scoring 140 points against the Wizards. They enter a four-day layoff riding a wave of momentum.

Offensively, Memphis has been stellar. Their increased pace has them averaging 121.4 points per game, second in the NBA behind only the Cavaliers. Traces of their grit-and-grind legacy remain, as Memphis ranks top five in rebounding, points in the paint and second-chance points. 

The return of Ja Morant has been key to their success. The team is 10-4 in games he’s played and he’s averaging 21.7 points and a career-best 8.5 assists.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is playing the best ball of his career. He stuffed the stat sheet in the win against Boston and leads the team in scoring with 21.9 points per game. Defensively, Jackson is the only player in the NBA averaging more than 1.4 blocks and steals per game. More importantly, he’s only missed two games.

Desmond Bane remains a key contributor for the Grizzlies, showcasing his leadership and versatility on the court. Averaging 14.5 points per game, he continues to be a playmaker. 

The Grizzlies have also been impacted by injuries, with rotation players missing a combined 32 games. Second-year player GG Jackson remains weeks from returning after offseason foot surgery. 

Despite setbacks, several players have stepped up, most notably Santi Aldama. The 7-footer is posting career highs across the board without a significant increase in usage or minutes. His scoring and playmaking have been crucial, helping Memphis rank second in bench points per game with 47.8.

To top it off, Memphis is the only team in the NBA without a single player averaging more than 30 minutes per game underscoring their depth and balanced approach. 

The Grizzlies’ high level of play has made them a team to watch, and the rest of the league would be wise to take notice.