Memphis Grizzlies: All eyes on Marvin Bagley
All of the top draft prospects aren’t in the NCAA tournament anymore, which leaves one name for the Memphis Grizzlies: Marvin Bagley.
DeAndre Ayton got served a 20-piece with lots of buffalo sauce. Luka Doncic is chilling overseas. Michael Porter Jr. couldn’t shake off the rust to push Missouri in the tournament. Trae Young’s Oklahoma and Mo Bamba’s Texas squads probably shouldn’t have made the tournament in the first place. Jaren Jackson Jr. didn’t thrive, as Michigan State was upset as well.
Now it’s just Marvin Bagley and the Duke Blue Devils. The Memphis Grizzlies have an easy place to scout now, as Bagley is the one of two top-ten prospects — other being Mikal Bridges — still in the tournament.
If you’re a Grizzlies fan, your eyes are glued on Marvin Bagley at this point. What’s not to like about him? At 6’10”, his elite athleticism and crazy workhorse motor make him exciting to watch, as he’s an absolute dawg in the post. In addition, he works his ass off from the opening tip to the final buzzer and actually has production to show for it (21.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game).
He’s also an easy fit alongside Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and Dillon Brooks. Of all the prospects on board, Bagley might be the one that can actually contribute towards a playoff contender.
Besides, ESPN has Bagley going to the Memphis Grizzlies at the third pick — and his teammate Grayson Allen at 33.
Despite his excellence this year, the ACC Player of the Year is all over the place on draft boards. Some people are more enticed by the two-way potential of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Mo Bamba, or the mystery behind Michael Porter Jr. People also place Bagley behind them due to his defensive deficiencies (rim protection), questions about playing the 5 and about his half-court offense.
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Can Duke stay alive?
Despite the noise, Bagley has separated himself from that trio by simply staying alive — and producing — in the tournament.
In his two tournament games so far, he’s averaging 22 points on 75 percent shooting from the field and eight rebounds. Though he’s played inferior competition, he helped lead Duke past any potential upsets — something the other elite prospects couldn’t do.
It’s going to be interesting to see how he fares against Syracuse’s zone. Will his offensive weaknesses show? Or will he continue to exploit the opposition’s defenses?
All eyes are on Bagley right now.