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Memphis Grizzlies Playoff Profiles: James Ennis

By Parker Fleming

Mar 23, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies small forward James Ennis III (8) goes up for a dunk as San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies small forward James Ennis III (8) goes up for a dunk as San Antonio Spurs center Pau Gasol (16) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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As starting wings Tony Allen and Chandler Parsons are out with injuries, the Memphis Grizzlies need their best from swingman James Ennis.

As the Memphis Grizzlies roll into their first-round matchup with the Spurs, there’s one central focus point: Kawhi Leonard. The MVP candidate is an absolute monster. On defense, whoever he guards is a castaway on “Kawhi Island.” On the offense, he’s become a terror, developing a scoring mentality that resembles the Mamba himself. For his impact to be minimized, James Ennis has to be a major factor.

Without the Grindfather, Ennis’ defense will go along way in determining how long this series goes.

Matchup Ahead

As previously mentioned, Ennis may see most of his time on Kawhi Leonard. He’s the only player on the Memphis Grizzlies that has the length, speed and athleticism to keep up with him. If he can be a pest without fouling, he could make life a little bit harder for the Spurs.

He also faces the task of guarding two guys that could be potential X-factors: Danny Green and Manu Ginobili.

Danny Green has shown the ability to get hot – especially in big games.

While Kawhi and Aldridge are excellent, Green is that one player who could make this a near-sweep for the Spurs. If he gets hot, it opens up a whole new ball game for them. Ennis must keep him in check and be mindful of him if the Memphis Grizzlies want a shot in this series.

If Ennis wants to stop Manu Ginobili, it’s simple: don’t let him be vintage Manu. As he’s aged, he’s become more of a secondary playmaker and a spot-up shooter. However, that doesn’t mean he still can’t go off. James Ennis can win this matchup if he uses his length and athleticism to bother him on both ends of the court.

He’ll also see time on Jonathan Simmons who’s just as young and athletic.

Postseason Expectations

If the Memphis Grizzlies want a shot in this series, James Ennis is a major key. As Tony Allen and Chandler Parsons are out, he must slide into that fourth option in order to change the outcome of this series. There are three ways he could do that:

  1. Defense. While the Grindfather, Mr. “First Team All-Defense” is out, somebody has to step up on the defensive end of the court. Vince Carter is solid on defense but is also 40 years old. Troy Daniels doesn’t have the size to stop Kawhi or Danny Green. Wayne Selden has shown he could be a stopper, but you have to think: he was in the D-League two months ago. James Ennis is the best option going forward to fill in for TA at the shooting guard position.
  2. Crashing the boards. At the early part of the season, Ennis averaged 5.3 rebounds in the first 14 games. Without TA, the Memphis Grizzlies lose a swingman that can crash the boards. Ennis’ ability to snag offensive rebounds for put-backs is a key for the Grizzlies.
  3. Shooting. Ennis finished the regular season shooting 37.2 percent from downtown. Now that the Spurs can’t sag off TA, Ennis must prove that his outside jumper is reliable. In doing so, it forces the Spurs to guard him which could open up the offense for Gasol, Conley and Randolph.

Next: All-Star Break Review: James Ennis

The Memphis Grizzlies have taken the “next man up” mantra all season long. Now, it’s James Ennis’ time.

#WeEnnis

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