Memphis Grizzlies: The Future of Wade Baldwin and Jarell Martin

Summer League is in full swing as players try to prove that they belong in the NBA. Two prospects in particular who have underachieved are trying to make their mark with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Patience is a virtue.

Not only is this idea true in life, but it’s also true when it comes to the NBA. Regardless of the potential they have, few players come into the NBA fully ready from day one. Player development in the NBA is a process, and it often takes a good bit of time. Even when someone does finally become a star, it’s sometimes a painful process to get there (see: Mike Conley). In the wisdom of Joel Embiid, it’s a process that you have to trust.

This is an important thing to remember for fans of the Memphis Grizzlies, especially those who want to give up on Wade Badwin and Jarell Martin.

Wade Baldwin and Jarell Martin are two players who have struggled in their careers up to this point. They’ve underachieved and failed to make the impact that many expected them to make by this point. Even at the D-League level (I refuse to call it the G-League), they haven’t been as dominant against inferior competition as some would expect.

However, sometimes when you look past the poor numbers and raw play, you’re able to see something more. You’re able to see intangibles and real potential. And finally, once you accept that most good things take time, you start to see the first slivers of development and improvement.

Wade Baldwin and Jarell Martin have certainly begun to show development and improvement in the NBA summer league.

Wade’s World

Wade Baldwin’s issues are very real and present.

For him to become a true point guard in the NBA, he must improve his ball-handling. He lacks the ability to use double moves and shift direction, which is why he struggles to create space off the dribble. He’s limited to only basic crossovers and size ups when he’s trying to create offense. When he comes off a screen, he also dribbles the ball too high which limits his explosiveness going to the basket. As far as the other aspects of the game, Wade’s shooting and finishing are still very raw.

However, despite his deficiencies, Wade’s potential is too much to ignore. He’s not quite there yet, but given time, he could become a monster on the defensive end. He has the combination of size, strength, quickness and length to become en elite defender. Think of Patrick Beverley, but on a larger frame. His offense has a long ways to go, but he has all of the physical tools to improve.

Something that Baldwin has that you can’t teach is tenacity, and it’s been on display during Summer League. Throughout much of the game against Sacramento, Wade had been passive and willing to let Wayne Selden lead the team. However, when De’Aaron Fox and the Kings made their run in the 4th quarter, something clicked in Baldwin. He started attacking the rim more than he had before, and he became far more aggressive. That level of tenacity and competitiveness is something NBA point guards need, and Baldwin has it.

Wade Baldwin has a future with the Memphis Grizzlies. He’s already shown improvement during Summer League, as he generally looks more poised and controlled than he did last year. Given more time, his handle and shooting will become more refined. He has shown the drive and competitiveness to become a good player. It’s up to the Grizzlies to show the patience required for him to get there.

Shopping at J-Mart

Jarell Martin hasn’t exactly had much of a fan club recently among fans of the Memphis Grizzlies:

It’s okay, Jarell. My 8th grade basketball coach was the same way whenever I touched the ball.

Most of Jarell’s problems can be summed up by the fact that he doesn’t excel at anything (also known as the Jeff Green problem). He’s not a particularly good shooter, a great athlete or a good defender. He occasionally will look like he’s starting to put it all together, and then he’ll look lost out there. The only thing consistent about him is his inconsistency.

However, Martin also doesn’t have many real weaknesses to exploit. By no means does he have great ball handling ability, but he has the ability to get by larger players off the dribble – a skill that comes in handy when guarded by slower 4’s. Essentially, Jarell has the skills of a small forward in a power forward’s body. He’s able to hold his own with bigger, stronger 4’s, and he has the speed and quickness to cause them trouble as well.

One thing that has defined Jarell Martin during his time in the NBA is his resilience. He has dealt with nagging injuries that have consistently kept him from playing to his full potential, yet he’s still pushing to become a rotation player. After a rough first game in Summer League, he bounced back with 21 points and 10 rebounds against the Kings. Though many are counting him out, Jarell is staying confident and aggressive when his number is called.

Jarell Martin has come to the crossroad of his career. During the upcoming season, he’ll have to prove once and for all that he belongs in the NBA. However, the Grizzlies must still give him opportunities to grow, even when he has struggled the way he has at different points.

Trust the Process

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The process can be long and difficult. In the Grizzlies’ third summer league game against Utah, Wade Baldwin shot 3-11 from the field, while Jarell Martin shot 1-10. There must be a large dog nearby, because I hear a loud woof.

If you do think that giving up on them is the best option, it would be wise to rethink it. When the Grizzlies trade Baldwin and Martin, what are they going to get in return? If they are as bad as you say that they are, teams aren’t going to give hardly any assets in return for them. It would essentially be a waste.

There are legitimate concerns with each of them. A so-called point guard that struggles to handle and protect the ball is a problem. When your third-year power forward is shooting 1-10 from the field against Summer League competition, that’s also a problem.

Sometimes, you have to take a step back and look at the larger picture. Don’t judge a player by their performance at their best or at their worst. Trust the ability of those who are involved with player development. Essentially, you just have to trust the process.

I can’t promise that Wade Baldwin and Jarell Martin will ever be stars. However, I can promise that the Grizzlies will never find out if they don’t let the process run its course. They have to let these guys develop and continue to grow. Because if they don’t, someone else will.

Probably the Spurs.