With the excitement of a new season building, Memphis Grizzlies fans wanted to forget the previous campaign even existed. But no matter how hard they tried, circumstances wouldn’t give in.
NBA teams haven’t played a minute of meaningful basketball yet, but the Grizzlies have been met with more brutal news than encouraging. It started well before the new season when rising star GG Jackson suffered a broken foot.
Then, another emerging guard, Vince Williams Jr., sustained an injury. And then the start of preseason delivered more bad news, with Jaren Jackson Jr. pulling a hamstring in practice, Ja Morant barely escaping a gruesome ankle injury, and Marcus Smart banging knees against the Charlotte Hornets.
Will this be a replay of 2023? Or is it rust from a long layoff?
The approach to the season
Despite an overwhelming start to the season, Memphis hopes to gut out the tune-up games and have the majority of its lineup ready to go for the season opener on October 23 against the Utah Jazz.
The Grizzlies can’t necessarily control who goes down. But they can manage their attitude and approach to the end of the preseason and the start of the regular season. Head coach Taylor Jenkins has been put in rough spots in the last couple of seasons with his team struggling on and off the court. But to clear the runways for a strong start to 2024, the 40-year-old is encouraging his players to maximize the mental game.
“I actually talked to both of those guys about being fully invested in all the practice reps and using their voices,” says Jenkins of the injured Morant and Jackson Jr. “I want them to get mental reps, whether it’s through film sessions or their teammates’ film feedback that they’re getting. They’ve been ever present, so we’re going to make the most of the situation over the next week-plus. And thankfully, they’re going to be ready for opening night.”
Related: Memphis' Ja Morant reveals two players he wants to dunk on
Encouraging signs
On a brighter note, the early roadblocks can help pave the way for some of the younger names on the roster to make a strong early impression, especially rookie big man Zach Edey. Although the Purdue product has met some early struggles trying to find a comfortable fit, his role in the Memphis offense will be accurately assessed when players return to the lineup and enough games have passed.
“For as early as it’s been, we’re doing a really good job,” says Desmond Bane of navigating the early challenges. “It’s not only catching on to it but putting it into the games and applying it. It’s also not being scared to fail. And I think that’s going to continue to make us better.”
Memphis has also witnessed strong early signs from Brandon Clarke — who is not far removed from an ACL surgery — and the diminutive Yuki Kawamura. The 28-year-old big man has been a key component of the team for a handful of seasons. And if he can remain healthy, he’ll have pressing expectations on his shoulders.
The Grizzlies will rely on coach Jenkins’ leadership early in the season as their core players rediscover some familiarity and the rotational pieces sift through the nuances of finding their role.
Related: Marcus Smart shares critical injury update after preseason scare
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