The Memphis Grizzlies are flying under the radar. With a 10-7 record, the team sits tied for sixth in the Western Conference. With only 10 games played by Desmond Bane and eight by franchise star Ja Morant, Memphis has managed to stay afloat thanks to Jaren Jackson Jr. and the supporting cast.
The newcomers have revived Memphis, who's looking to return to the postseason after finishing with a 27-55 record last season. The combination of injuries and suspension led to a nine-game season in totality for Morant, but he wasn't the only Grizzlies star out. Bane played a career-low 42 games last season, while Jaren Jackson Jr. played 66 games en route to a career-best season.
With a promising start to the season and key contributors injured, Memphis has quietly established itself as a potential contender in the Western Conference. A whopping 16 players have seen playing time for Memphis, with 14 players averaging between 14 and 29 minutes per game. So, what's the catch with Memphis?
Scotty Pippen Jr. is living up to his name in year two with Memphis.
This isn't the first time a 'Pippen' is drawing the eyes of the NBA world. While his father, Scottie Pippen, is a six-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, Scotty Pippen Jr. is turning heads differently, as a serviceable NBA guard. Unlike the elder statesman of the Pippen household, Pippen Jr. has been forced to carve out a role in the league the hard way. Undrafted in 2022, Pippen Jr. played just six games that year with the Lakers, moving on to Memphis for each of the last two seasons.
Undrafted in 2022, Pippen Jr. played just six games that year with the Lakers, moving on to Memphis for each of the last two seasons. In that time, Pippen Jr. has averaged 12 points, four rebounds, five assists, and nearly two steals per game. Altogether, the Vanderbilt product has appeared in 37 games (23 starts), playing roughly 25 minutes per game.
The third-year guard's efficiency has stood out, shooting 47 percent (40 percent from three). Pippen Jr. has taken full advantage of a depleted Grizzlies backcourt. Now, he's earned a significant role not only in Memphis but also in any other interested team.