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Top-Five Moments of Jarell Martin’s Memphis Grizzlies Career

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 12: Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 12, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 12: Jarell Martin #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies goes to the basket against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 12, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – JANUARY 22: Jarell Martin
MEMPHIS, TN – JANUARY 22: Jarell Martin /

The best play of Jarell Martin’s three-season (and counting) NBA career is by far more than one single play. The “moment,” if you want to call it that, actually happened away from the hardwood.

Entering training camp in 2017, the only guarantee involving Martin’s name was that he was looking like a roster cut. At the time, it seem highly unlikely that the Memphis Grizzlies would call it quits on a first round Draft pick — Wade Baldwin IV — after just one season. Given Jarell’s history with the injury bug, a release from the team would have been understandable.

To make matters worse for Jarell Martin, rumors surfaced DURING the 2017 Media Day festivities that he had been cut from the roster. Imagine having to face dozens of reporters the second that rumors were flying about you on social media. Insane, right?!

In the crazy world known as Grizzlies basketball, this is not what happened. Memphis ultimately severed ties with yet another failed first round pick. Baldwin IV was released with Memphis’ firm belief that Andrew Harrison was more than capable of handling backup point guard duties. The Grizzlies continued their investment within the frontcourt.

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What it boiled down to was this: Jarell Martin’s style fit in with the Memphis Grizzlies. He hustled. He is full of grit. He was all about building the community. And when it came time to prove the Grizzlies made the right decision, Jarell Martin stepped his game up.

Martin posted a strong preseason in 2017 and he became a key contributor in 2017-18. Though he did not help the team reach many wins, his presence was a blessing once JaMychal Green sustained a significant injury in the team’s first regular season game. Without Martin, Memphis likely would not have achieved a 6-1 start to their season.

Jarell Martin’s time in Memphis, Tennessee has come to a close, but there is no doubt he will bring the Orlando Magic crowd to its feet on many occasions. In most instances, it will be in big games versus tough opponents. With the Grizzlies, that was what he was about.

Go Grizz! 

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