Troy Daniels: I Feel Like Pablo… A Secret Weapon
By Jake Finnen
The Grizzlies have a secret weapon waiting in the wings. Dave Fizdale has the best kept secret in the NBA. His name is Troy Daniels. #IFeelLikeTroy
Yo, so you might think that im about to hit you with a Kanye reference. Nope. Im talking about Pablo Sanchez. The Original “Secret Weapon.” Remember that little OG in Backyard Sports with the giant backward hat, tiny shirt, and stats to the max? The ultimate deception with his miniature size yet always comes out of nowhere with incredible speed and talent to match, reminding you why YOU ALWAYS PICK HIM FOR YOUR TEAM. Like a true “Secret Weapon.”
While Coach Fizdale probably isn’t playing the most recent version of Backyard Sports, it doesn’t change my speculations that he is getting ready to unleash a Memphis Grizzlies version of Liquid Schwartz in the playoffs, the unbeknownst wonder, Troy Daniels. His shooting is unrivaled off the dribble – just deadly from three-point range. This includes contested corner threes, and even top-of-the-key jumpers in Devin Booker’s mouth. Ok, so realistically he shoots 39.7 percent but that’s beside my point.
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Troy Gets Buckets
On multiple occasions, we have seen Troy catch fire, and it’s a joy. The question is, if his points and minutes have a direct correlation. Why is Troy Daniels still getting close to 15 minutes consistently?
In the seven games he’s played more than 25 minutes, he has scored 19 or more in four of those games. This doesn’t include his two outings scoring more than 20 points in less than 25 minutes played. For the Grizzlies, that should get you in the starting lineup regardless of how terrible your defense is. Not to add that Daniels defense isn’t even that bad. It’s just bad compared to the hustle prophet himself, Tony Allen.
Coach Fizdale is clearly doing something right with the wins coming in, but as a dedicated spectator, I can only think that the wins should come a little bit easier with the amount of talent on the roster.
“I Need Some Space” – The Core Four
The Grizzlies need to give their superstars excellent spacing in this final stretch before the playoffs. In addition, they need to relieve as much pressure from the cornerstone players Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Zach Randolph. With an almost guaranteed Warriors-Cavaliers repeat of the Finals, the Grizzlies need to be at full strength to compete this year. Meaning that when the regular season ends, Memphis has to go full throttle throughout the playoffs. This means unleashing Troy.
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Coach Fizdale will likely keep Troy Daniels hidden with 18-22 minute nights in the regular season, knowing his ability to light up the scoreboard as an “X-Factor.” Teams will game plan to stop Conley from getting to his floater, halt Gasol from doing his fancy Spanish passing and beat the Grizzlies highly-regarded defense. All the while, Troy “Napalm” Daniels is slowly emerging as ANOTHER lethal threat in the Grizzlies arsenal.
What teams won’t expect when #30 on Memphis steps on the floor is his high-energy and high-volume shooting style, that contradicts the entire Memphis culture. In other words the ideal “X-Factor” for the Grizzlies. Opposing teams will will not be ready when Troy Daniels is taking their two guard out to lunch with a step-back appetizer and quick-release entrée before taking them back to school for their “How To Rip Nylon 101” class.
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The talent is there. The diamonds shine in spurts and Fizdale is a smart man. I trust what he’s doing and that means giving Troy Daniels limited minutes contrary to my desires. Daniels can do a bit of everything on the offensive end, so if you haven’t heard his name yet, expect the secret weapon to make his name known in the playoffs.
Napalm. He catches fire and stays aflame.