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Memphis Grizzlies: Ben McLemore trolled for #MambaChallenge tweet

By Parker Fleming

MEMPHIS, TN - AUGUST 29: Ben McLemore of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during a press conference on August 29, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - AUGUST 29: Ben McLemore of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a photo during a press conference on August 29, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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THE MAMBA Kobe Bryant has given athletes challenges over Twitter. Ben McLemore wants to obey the Mamba and met some internet trolls along the way.

Recently, NBA stars John Wall, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Isaiah Thomas and DeMar DeRozan have been given challenges from “The Mamba” Kobe Bryant. The hashtag “#mambachallenge” has circulated around the web. Ben McLemore, the newest member of the Memphis Grizzlies, seeks his challenge from one of the greats, and the internet decided to have some fun.

https://twitter.com/Dancing_Mal/status/902921507529220096

Ben McLemore hasn’t had the career we all expected. After landing in the top-10 of the 2013 draft, many thought that he would be a part of the next patch of solid NBA shooting guards.

Prior to entering the league, NBADraft.net compared McLemore to Ray Allen. Bleacher Report gave him a “Ray Allen” ceiling and a “JR Smith” floor. SBNation also rode the “Ray Allen ceiling” wave but gave him a “2013 Jason Richardson” floor.

Honestly, McLemore hasn’t come close to anyone. In his defense, he wasn’t given the proper situation to grow. He had four different coaches with entirely contrasting systems in four years. Sacramento also possessed a toxic front office and a hot-head “leader.”

In the right environment, he could succeed, and the Memphis Grizzlies will definitely give him more than enough opportunities to do so.

Possible #mambachallenges

We don’t know what his #mambachallenge will be until Kobe responds. Until then, let’s come up with some possible challenges for Ben McLemore.

  • Average more than 10 points a game. He’s only averaged 10 or more points a game once (12.1 in 2014-15) in his four-year career. To prove his draft positioning, he needs to become a consistent scorer.
  • Improve on defense. With the likely departure of Tony Allen, the Grizzlies need a lockdown defender. McLemore must step up defensively to distinguish himself in the Grizzlies’ backcourt.
  • Start. Once he gets back from injury, McLemore needs to prove his worth as a NBA starter. The starting position is wide open — unless Wayne Selden takes it. The Grizzlies signed McLemore to potentially be the shooting guard of the future. The time is now.

Next: 3 reasons to take the Over

Hopefully, Ben McLemore proves the Twitter trolls wrong and becomes the Memphis Grizzlies’ shooting guard of the future.

#MambaMentality

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