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The Time is Now for Memphis Grizzlies’ Jarnell Stokes

By Christian Dudley

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Mar 12, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes (1) shoots the ball as Washington Wizards forward Drew Gooden (90) defends in the fourth quarter at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 107-87. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Jarnell Stokes, the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2014 second round NBA Draft pick, has been bouncing back-and-forth from the NBA to the D-League, but it is now time for him to receive consistent NBA minutes.

Jarnell Stokes was selected by the Grizzlies in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft–pick No. 35 overall. He played his college ball at the University of Tennessee and was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. You can say that he is 100% Tennessee pride and he was destined to be a Memphis Grizzly.

Stokes is surely in the Grizzlies’ long-term plans, especially for the days that may soon come when Zach Randolph cannot produce as well as he does now. Because Jarnell has been considered a long-term project for the Grizz, they have assigned him to their D-League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, multiple times.

In the NBDL, Stokes has produced season averages of 14.7 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. That is just shy of a double-double, along with nearly one assist, one steal, and one block per game, too. Very solid for a rookie big man, not to mention that he is doing this all on an astounding 64.2% shooting.

How has and will this translate to the NBA for Stokes?

Dec 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Joey Dorsey (8) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes (1) battle for a loose ball during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

To begin, Stokes recently had his name recalled from the D-League and he saw big minutes when the Memphis Grizzlies decided to rest the majority of their starters in a game last week–a nationally-televised matchup between the Grizz and the Washington Wizards.

Though the Grizzlies lost that game due to being undermanned, Jarnell Stokes impressed audiences by posting 13 points, eight rebounds, one assist, three steals, and one block in 22 minutes of play (off the bench) on 4/6 shooting. Exceptional!

In the same game, Leuer managed to put up just nine points and four rebounds in 17 minutes, yet posting a better +/- rating than Stokes–perhaps not enough minutes to really determine which player had the biggest impact on the game itself, regardless of stats.

Stokes has not played nearly as many NBA minutes as say, the Memphis Grizzlies’ usual backup power forward Jon Leuer. Leuer’s playing time has fluctuated this season, and it is now time for Stokes to remain in the NBA instead of being on D-League assignment–although the Memphis Grizzlies reassigned Stokes to the Iowa Energy yesterday. He deserves to be the primary backup power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Stokes adds toughness to the team. He is in his rookie season, but he is a strong and physical player on the low block. He will be a perfect replacement for Zach Randolph once Z-Bo calls it a career. Jarnell may be a project player, but he is not afraid of opposing NBA big men and he fits the grit-‘n’-grind mold of the Memphis Grizzlies’ culture.

Jan 5, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes (1) drives to the basket as New York Knicks center Jason Smith (14) looks on in the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

How does Stokes compare to his teammate Leuer? In NBA minutes, Jarnell produces averages of 2.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game on 51.6% shooting in just 6.5 minutes per game. In return, Jon Leuer is averaging 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds per game on 44.5% shooting in 14.1 minutes per game.

What about Player Efficiency Ratings?

Jarnell Stokes tops Jon Leuer with a 16.25 PER compared to Leuer’s 12.37 PER. Advanced statistics are very telling. Mathematically, Stokes is deserving of being the primary backup four-man. If given the minutes, he could continue to do big things–such as his solid performance against the Wizards last week–and develop into a starting-quality NBA big man.

Stokes is an exceptional backup option for Randolph because the two are large bodies that do not shy away from contact. They both battle for boards. They box out. They are not afraid to tangle in the paint. The Memphis Grizzlies primarily look to score through their frontcourt in the paint and around the basket and Stokes just does that–following in Z-Bo’s footsteps.

The more minutes–NBDL or NBA–that Jarnell Stokes receives, the faster he will develop. It all comes with the experience.

Just know this: Jarnell Stokes knows how to grit and grind, which is what makes the Memphis Grizzlies. He will carry the torch for Z-Bo. Not only will the Grizzlies be in good hands in the future with Stokes on their roster, but they should seriously consider giving him more quality NBA minutes before Stokes’ rookie year is completed.

Will Stokes begin to receive a larger role of about 20 minutes per game or so over the course of the remaining 14 regular season games? It is highly unlikely at this point with so few games left to play on the schedule.

Jan 3, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and forward Jarnell Stokes (1) during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Leuer is still very serviceable and he stretches the floor for the Memphis Grizzlies, but regardless, Stokes adds to the squad’s depth and he keeps Memphis’ future as bright as ever.

Whichever player Coach Joerger decides to play at the backup four spot between now and the NBA Playoffs, if and when Stokes is recalled by the Memphis Grizzlies from the NBDL, they need to be prepared to play with all heart, grit, and grind.

Whether it is Stokes’ time yet or not, for the Memphis Grizzlies, it is still time to make a run at the title.

Go Grizz!

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