Memphis Grizzlies: Rookie reviews at the one-month mark
The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the best scouting organizations in the NBA in recent history.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have panned out very well thus far as the second and fourth overall picks respectively, but the runner-up for the team’s Rookie of the Year honors last season (behind Morant) was Brandon Clarke — selected 21st overall by the Grizzlies.
And the Grizzlies look like they’ve struck gold again, with their two new additions in Desmond Bane who was selected 30th, and Xavier Tillman Sr. with the 35th pick.
This draft was touted as “weak” in the sense of there wasn’t much star potential. The pool of star talent had a significant drop off after the first three picks.
What isn’t demonstrated in that narrative is that the players in this pool may not have superstar ceilings, but there is a lot of players who have good-to-great NBA starter potential. And it seems like the Grizzlies capitalized on that.
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Reviewing the Memphis Grizzlies rookies one month in
If you were to label the two rookies; Desmond Bane would be considered the typical 3-and-D player and Xavier Tillman is the small-ball Draymond Green-esque five that is so coveted in today’s game.
A month into the season the Grizzlies have relied on Bane and Tillman due to injuries and health and safety protocols. After Ja Morant went down with an ankle injury the Grizzlies ground out a 5-4 record without Morant, and that was partly due to the stellar play from the 30th and 35th picks.
So, what have Desmond Bane and Xavier Tillman Sr. been doing that is so impressive? And will they be key pieces in the Grizzlies’ future?