Memphis Grizzlies 2017-18 Player Preview: James Ennis

As we evaluate each player on the Memphis Grizzlies, let’s take a look at James Ennis. Could he experience a breakout year?

The Memphis Grizzlies enter this season with more versatility and playmaking. It’s perfect for the modern NBA.

For years, the Grizzlies predicated off being different. While everyone else was running up and down the floor, firing 3’s, Memphis played “in the mud.” They forced you to slow it down and defend their low-post brutes Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. As some teams finally exposed their weaknesses, the Grizzlies have fully embraced the stigma.

This year, they have more playmakers and stretch-4’s than ever before. One player that’ll be very important in this regard is James Ennis.

The fourth-year swingman has the versatility that coaches crave from rotation players. If the Grizzlies want to play big, he has the athleticism, quickness and length to bother two-guards. At his natural position — small forward — he can still space the floor and not give up any height. As a stretch-4, he can compromise his sub-average ball-handling with quickness to blow past opposing bigs.

Ennis’ positional versatility to be a huge asset for the Grizzlies. As he enters a contract year, is this the season he breaks out?

How he could help the Grizzlies

Obviously, as stated above, he gives the Grizzlies positional versatility. However, that wouldn’t mean anything if he couldn’t shoot the ball from deep. He’s proven himself as a reliable 3-point threat as he shot 37.2 percent on a career-high 137 attempts from deep.

With an abundance of playmakers surrounding him, he should be the beneficiary of open looks from downtown or from cuts to the basket.

The Grizzlies have stressed how they want to play faster, and Ennis is one of the most athletic wings they have. Even at the 3, they could still run up and down the floor regardless of who’s at the 4. He’s also one of the best finishers above the rim, so he should find easy opportunities out in the open floor.

All in all, Ennis won’t be the guy out there creating plays off the dribble or setting up looks for his teammates. However, he can carve a role by simply being at the right place at the right time.

Could he lose his spot though?

James Ennis will definitely be in the rotation at the beginning of the season. He proved himself as a reliable contributor last season. While all this being said, there may be some young players who can swoop in a rotation spot by the end of the year.

Jarell Martin has had two strong preseason performances thus far. The verdict on his roster status is still out, but if he keeps this up, he’ll command minutes at the 4. He’s a versatile power forward who can attack and expose big men from the wing.

A rookie in the rotation is a rarity for the Memphis Grizzlies. If anyone can though, it’s Dillon Brooks. The former PAC-12 Player of the Year has the same kind of versatility as Ennis, but his playmaking and scoring might be a step ahead. If his college game can translate, Brooks can take Ennis’ spot in the rotation.

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Closing Remarks

The Memphis Grizzlies have a plethora of wing players, and they have a great problem of finding which combination lead them to the playoffs.

James Ennis could become the most valuable wing off the bench this season. His versatility and shooting are important for the Grizzlies’ offense.

Despite this, he has to be consistent. Last season, he had consistency issues, and this year, the Grizzlies have other options that could step up.

Hopefully, this is the year James Ennis can break out and solidify himself as a real-deal NBA player.