Memphis Grizzlies 2017-18 Player Preview: JaMychal Green

The Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed starting forward JaMychal Green. He could be Important on a team looking for on-court play and locker room leadership.

This offseason has been one with many questions for the Memphis Grizzlies, not the least of which involved the contract negotiation with JaMychal Green.

JaMychal was coming off his first season as the starting power forward for the Grizzlies, replacing fan favorite Zach Randolph in the process. JaMychal and the Grizzlies always knew Z-Bo, as he was affectionately known, was right behind him.

That was made painfully clear during the playoffs when JaMychal struggled and was replaced by Randolph for the last few games. His seasonal numbers of 8.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG and a PER of 13.56 seemed decent. However, when matched up against the likes of Pau Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge, he failed to live up to his season averages, falling to only 7.3 PPG and a disastrous 3.3 RPG.

His playoff performance likely had a lot to do with the delay in re-signing Green. Memphis loved his defensive effort and his ability to spread the court and to play uptempo. Still the Grizzlies weren’t going to open the coffers for a player who was benched in the playoffs. The negotiations lasted until training camp had already opened. JaMychal discovered the rest of the NBA wasn’t willing to pay him as well.

It’s all in the past now.

Can he rise to the occasion

Randolph is gone. Green’s contract — while it wasn’t what JaMychal and his agent had hoped for — is signed. It’s time for JaMychal to become a lead player for the Grizzlies. At 27, he should be in the prime of his career on a roster devoid of veteran leadership. The team will be looking for players to take the next step forward not only on the court but in the locker room.

Green has to produce more on offensive while maintaining his defensive effort. The Memphis Grizzlies need him to do that to. The cupboard is pretty bare behind him.

Chandler Parsons is likely the main contender for minutes as a stretch 4. However, coming off three knee surgeries and having no experience at the position makes him a risky option. Jarell Martin isn’t a lock to make the team. Ivan Rabb is too young and thin to compete right away. Deyonta Davis and Brandan Wright appear to be the main contenders for playing time behind Gasol. The team needs Green to handle large minutes and be productive for the Memphis Grizzlies to return to the playoffs.

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JaMychal Green has the talent to be this type of player. He has shown passion on the court. He has played for two winning programs after starting his career in San Antonio.

Green pulled himself up from a rough start as a professional. He wasn’t drafted coming out of Alabama.  He worked in the D League and France before landing a roster spot in the NBA. Green’s experience should be very helpful for a team with a large number of players with D-League experience. His rise to becoming an NBA starter is what the younger players need to hear.

JaMychal Green’s opportunity is at hand. He can become an impact player on a team fighting for the playoffs and a leader in the locker room. It’s within Green’s reach to be the best defensive player on the team and its most improved player as long as he focuses on basketball and not the disappointment of this summer. If the contract slight lingers, he could be a problem instead of the answer.

Only time will tell.