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JaMychal Green: The Memphis Grizzlies’ Swiss-army knife

By Parker Fleming

Nov 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) defends against Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Memphis won 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trey Lyles (41) defends against Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) during the second half at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Memphis won 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a 10-6 start. While their stars have been spectacular, JaMychal Green is an integral part of their early-season success.

Before the season, Dave Fizdale named JaMychal Green the starting power forward. Many Memphis Grizzlies fans were in shock. Two-time All-Star and franchise cornerstone Zach Randolph was making a move to the bench as the team’s sixth man. No one knew how the move would go. Would Fizdale mess up the continuity by separating Gasol and Randolph? Was JaMychal Green ready to be a full-time NBA starting power forward?

All the questions seem to be a thing of the past. The Grizzlies rattled off a six-game win streak en route to a 10-6 start. Mike Conley and Marc Gasol have been playing at an All-Star level. Zach Randolph is ready to snatch up the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. Vince Carter is reliving his Dallas Maverick days. James Ennis and Tony Allen have been locking down the perimeter. However, one of the bigger keys to their success is the two-way versatility of JaMychal Green.

JaMychal or Draymond?

As the league has become faster and more 3-oriented, quicker guys have been playing power forward. The Grizzlies didn’t want Zach Randolph to chase guys around the perimeter. As a result, Fizdale inserted JaMychal Green in the starting lineup with a clear vision for his role (per Commercial Appeal’s Ronald Tillery):

"He really compliments Marc (Gasol) well with his speed, his versatility, his ability to switch pick-and-rolls, trap pick-and-rolls and make open jump shots. He has kind of that Draymond Green versatility. Maybe not off the dribble yet. But from every other aspect, I like what he brings to the table."

While his personality doesn’t resemble the loud-mouth, groin-kicking Warriors forward, he’s thrived in a similar role because of his defensive tenacity and versatility.

Defense

So far this season, JaMychal Green has an defensive rating of 103, allowing 103 points per 100 possessions while guarding nightly 20-point scorers such as Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Blake Griffin, Harrison Barnes and Carmelo Anthony. He’s done an excellent job serving as a lockdown defender.

In the NBA, there are elite forwards on just about every team. If JaMychal Green could deliver defensive performances against big-time scorers on a nightly basis, he’ll help distinguish the Grizzlies from the second tier of the Western Conference.

Offense

On the offensive end of the court, JaMychal Green has been everywhere on the court. He’s shooting 33.3 percent from 3 on 1.8 attempts per game. While Marc has expanded his game beyond the arc, JaMychal Green crashes the offensive boards, averaging a career-high 1.9 per game. While his role has expanded, his shooting efficiency has increased, shooting 48.6 percent from the field.

Bringing the faster and more versatile JaMychal Green into the starting lineup has allowed the Grizzlies to capture Fizdale’s vision of pushing the pace and shooting more 3-pointers.

Going forward

Once Chandler Parsons comes back, it wouldn’t be surprising to see JaMychal Green in more of a playmaking role, similar to Draymond Green. Furthermore, the Grizzlies could unlock their own version of the “Death Lineup” where Green is unleashed as a “small ball 5.”

Related Story: Grizz death lineup?

As the season goes forward, the Memphis Grizzlies will be looking to attain home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Their older veterans will be locked in on a playoff run. Furthermore, the Grizzlies need JaMychal Green’s two-way play to be at an all-time high.

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