Memphis Grizzlies 2017-2018 Player Preview: Wayne Selden
Wayne Selden is poised to continue his development as an NBA player. Can he earn the starting shooting guard spot this year for the Memphis Grizzlies?
Wayne Selden has had a busy year. Around this time last year, he was playing in the D-League for the Iowa Energy. By the end of the season, he started for the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Now, after an excellent summer — as well as an injury to new acquisition Ben McLemore, Wayne Selden is poised to be the Grizzlies’ starting shooting guard to begin the new season.
Selden was certainly raw in the minutes that he played last year, but he showed considerable improvement in his game in Summer League. He showed himself to be an effective shooter and could get to the rim with ease. Though Summer League isn’t always reflective of a player’s true talent (look no further than Russ Smith and Josh “Showtime” Selby), it’s still encouraging to see someone performing at a high level.
Wayne Selden has the tools to be a good NBA player. What will be the key for him to succeed this season?
Becoming a True Two-Way Player
Selden quickly gained a reputation as a solid defensive player after he arrived in Memphis. With the injury to Tony Allen, he was Kawhi Leonard’s primary defender at different points in their first round series (God bless his heart). At 6’6″, 232 pounds, he has the body and athleticism to guard multiple positions.
Selden’s main problem was his shooting. In his 11 games with the Grizzlies, he shot a paltry 14 percent from three. In the six game playoff series against San Antonio, he only shot 18 percent from three. These numbers are likely to improve since he was a 39 percent 3-point shooter in his final year at Kansas. However, he’ll have to be definitively better than what he was last year to be able to succeed.
Even last season, Selden showed himself to be a good finisher around the basket. A solid jumpshot will allow him to have more space to drive the basket and become the two-way player that Memphis needs him to be.
Related Story: Can Wayne Selden become team's defensive stopper?
Embrace the Moment
Wayne Selden has an opportunity to do something that few undrafted players ever have the chance to do. He has worked hard, earned his spot on an NBA team and has the chance to start. With years of work leading to this opportunity, his moment has finally come.
The time is ripe for him to leave his mark. Ben McLemore may very well be out until the second half of the season, and Tyreke Evans is better suited as a bench scorer at this point in his career. Selden will have every chance to become the shooting guard of the future for the Memphis Grizzlies.
He’ll have to showcase an improved jumper for him to be effective on both sides of the court.
If this happens, look out for Selden in the Most Improved Player Race.