The Friday Three: Defense will carry the Grizzlies
Plus an ode to fatherhood and a Memphis/Detroit preview.
Welcome everyone to the weekly column here at “Written in the Dark” called The Friday Three. Going back to a long time ago when I was writing for Grizzly Bear Blues about the likes of Andrew Harrison, this structure will allow for me to cover a variety of topics batting around in the ol’ MulliNoggin heading in to a couple days off for this newsletter, but not for the Memphis Grizzlies.
(Checks schedule)
Oh…wait…they are off this weekend too. Good for them!
Memphis welcomes Detroit tonight before a couple days off at home, which must be nice to these guys this time of year (or any time, for that matter). But before that, the return of the Friday Three. Let’s dive in.
1. The Memphis Grizzlies are back (because the defense is)
I spoke about this over at Locked On Grizzlies for Thursday’s episode - check it out below in case you missed it -but while Ja Morant triple-doubles are cool, what’s even more cool is how the Grizzlies defense has surged back to form since the return of Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis went from a middling-at-best outfit on the defensive end to a top-10 squad in the 9 games JJJ has played. It’s remarkable when you think about it. As impactful as Ja Morant is to the team overall (but especially offensively), Jaren Jackson Jr. bring a similar level of dominance on the defensive side of things. Teams simply don’t test the paint as much when he is on the floor, and when they do, it ends poorly more often for opponents.
Jaren’s block percentage is a phenomenal 5.6% right now - that is 1.5% higher than his 1st Team All-Defense campaign last season. While the “small sample size” refrain should sound throughout those numbers, it’s hard to imagine him tailing off too much in this particular category. He’s been a great shot blocker his entire career, but it has been his fouling that has forced him to lose some of his effectiveness. That foul percentage has gone down every season but one, however, and he’s off to another good start on that front as well (3.9% is a current career low).
Jackson Jr. and Morant continue to try to find one another as partners in tandem offensively. It seems like Jaren and Ja mesh better with others at times, with Morant seeking soaring alley-oops and skip passes on the perimeter as Jackson Jr. creates off the dribble and in the post for himself (and not others - 1st percentile in assist percentage, woof). But perhaps their symbiotic relationship will be more of a shared responsibility. Ja dominates the game offensively. Jaren does the same on defense.
It’s working right now. Memphis has won four in a row, and six of their last seven. The team is clicking - and getting healthier. The Grizzlies may be on the verge of a pretty epic run. If only Desmond Bane were healthy…maybe the question of a run of winning isn’t a question of if…but when?
2. These Grizzlies are just like us!
It is easy to forget that these figures we see flying through the sky or sprinting down the court are human beings with families. You don’t see THAT side of them too often, right? It’s the carefully crafted media version of what most athletes and celebrities want us to see…it’s so present in today’s society cynicism about who these folks are as people is not just warranted - it’s expected.
Perhaps that’s one of the reasons people love these Grizzlies so much. They feel audaciously authentic - unapologetically them, flaws and all. A flawless example of that, however, played out after the Grizzlies win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ja Morant posted a triple-double and was (again) player of the game. But for this postgame interview, as has happened in the past, his young daughter joined the party.
Cuteness overload. But again, this wasn’t the first time we’ve gotten a window in to what Papa Ja looks like.
As a dad myself to three beautiful trouble makers, it is moments like both videos above that make these players and this team more special. With the Grit and Grind Grizzlies, players like Mike Conley literally went from boys to men in the city. We saw him and Marc Gasol become fathers, husbands - their journey was shared with us.
Ja is doing much the same, and it allows for a deeper connection to be formed. Empathy is vital, and lacking, in today’s world. I see Ja holding his infant daughter and see myself in his shoes several times before him. I see his baby girl dancing and I think of my own kids grooving to the Bluey theme song every night before bed…
Does Ja Morant watch Bluey? I hope so…#TeamBandit
The human element is what makes sports personal for so many of us. I support the Washington Commanders because my father and grandfather did. My kids watch the Grizzlies and know who Ja Morant is because their dad is passionate about the team. Around and around we go on this journey called life, where what we do can so often cloud who we actually are. So when evidence is visible that those titans doing remarkable physical feats are daddies, mommies, sons, daughters…just like us…it can lead to a better appreciation for what they do. And who they are.
Keep dancing, Kaari.
3. Memphis/Detroit Preview
The Grizzlies are in the middle of a nice stretch of time at home. Memphis is at home for literally the next week - they likely will depart for Oklahoma City on the 16th after games with the Pistons (tonight), Hawks (Monday), and Bucks (Thursday). That is just three games in six days, all in the friendly confines of FedExForum. No “return from injury” rest games for Jaren Jackson Jr. or Ziaire Williams (hopefully). No quick turnarounds to different cities. One glorious week to play, and rest, and…gasp…practice between games!
That isn’t always the case. And while the Pistons are firmly in the Lottery race at this stage of their NBA season, they have young talent and a coaching staff that isn’t going to lie down for Memphis. As we saw against the Thunder on Wednesday, Memphis is capable of slow starts. And the longer a team thinks they HAVE a chance, the longer thought has the chance to become belief. And belief - in good times and in bad - is a strong tool.
Memphis cannot look ahead to a weekend off at home with family and friends during the holidays - an early Christmas gift to be sure, but every win matters with the Western Conference as jumbled as it is. And with Desmond Bane out for the foreseeable future (I broke down on today’s episode of Locked on Grizzlies…check it out…)
It is imperative to not overlook anyone. Every NBA team is full of NBA players, and with teams like the Pistons they’re busy trying to show that they belong in the league for the long haul. That’s a powerful motivator. While multiple Grizzlies don’t have that concern anytime soon, the reality of title contention is surely starting to sink in for Memphis. It’s there for the taking in an open Western Conference…but seeding will matter. Making games like these - the ones you’re “supposed to win” - all the more meaningful.
The Grizzlies are 10 point favorites. Detroit is missing Cade Cunningham. Memphis mustn’t let the Pistons have a reason to believe. Save that for Santa. Now is the time for a decisive, bell to bell, victory.
Give me the Grizzlies to cover - and take the over, as both teams are well-rested.
Memphis 127, Detroit 112
Have a great weekend! See you back here Monday. Thanks for reading.