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Memphis Grizzlies Face Totally Different Situation Versus Atlanta

By Christian Dudley

SALT LAKE CITY - JULY 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the handles the ball against Jason Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 Summer League at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 2, 2018 in Salt Lake CIty, Utah. 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)
SALT LAKE CITY - JULY 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the handles the ball against Jason Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 Summer League at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 2, 2018 in Salt Lake CIty, Utah. 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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The Memphis Grizzlies continue their quest of a first preseason victory against an Atlanta Hawks team full of unknowns.

Tuesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets displayed plenty to be excited about if you are a fan of the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizz led for nearly 50% of the game all while evenly spreading the share of minutes at every position.

Memphis received a preseason look at one of the best teams the NBA will have to offer in the new season. The next challenge is more of a polar opposite.

Preseason games are not totally about wins and losses. It is more about configuring successful rotations prior to the start of regular season action. With the deeply talented squad the Grizzlies have assembled for 2018-19, these few games in early-October are critical.

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On Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies will step on their home court to duel with the Atlanta Hawks. Placed in the thick of a rebuilding phase, Atlanta does not have an identity and they have players that have a lot of uncertainties, which can be difficult when scouting them.

The Hawks look to be led by Trae Young, the fifth pick of June’s NBA Draft. Could he become an instant star as a top NBA rookie a la Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, and others of recent drafts? Absolutely. Is it a guarantee? No way.

Most teams will not know how dynamic Young will be early in his first professional season. It is a somewhat similar situation to the Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., the fourth overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft.

Trae Young is in the leadership role — the focal point of the team — but there is still bust potential. If it is Memphis’ Jevon Carter defending Trae, then the odds say it will be an abysmal night for the Hawks’ rookie guard. Carter has a history of shutting down Young in their college days as well as a Summer League matchup. Carter has proven to be too much of a burden for Trae, so the implementation of Mike Conley should be equally troublesome.

In speaking of Jackson Jr. and other young guns within this Grizzlies-Hawks meeting, the frontcourt will be a major area to watch.

“Triple-J” lit up the Atlanta Hawks for 29 points in the aforementioned Summer League meeting between these two clubs. However, this is a totally different setting. Just days away from the regular season, nerves are setting in for the youngsters. Less shots are available as the veterans remain the priority.

Jaren produced a solid stat line in Tuesday’s loss with 15 points (perfect from the field), three rebounds, three assists, and two steals off the bench. A big storyline will be the battle of the fourth and fifth Draft picks for obvious reasons. However, the real focus needs to be on the Memphis Grizzlies stopping Atlanta’s John Collins. He is in for a big sophomore season and that journey of his starts now.

All the noise is about Trae Young, but it should not be surprising to see Collins become Atlanta’s best player over the course of the upcoming 82-game season. He pieced together a stellar rookie season, averaging 10.5 points and 7.3 boards per game on 57.6% shooting accuracy from the field. In July’s Summer League action, he appeared to be ready to take the next step in becoming a go-to player.

Thankfully for the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. has help where the Hawks do not have much to rely on. JaMychal Green, alongside Marc Gasol — who demonstrated enhanced aggression on the defensive end on Tuesday — will help in keeping John Collins honest from the field.

Additionally for this Friday night matchup, the Memphis Grizzlies will be facing a familiar face in Vince Carter, who is another question mark for Atlanta. Carter will be in a mentoring role for the Hawks, just as he was in Memphis. However, he likely will not own much playing time as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, yet this is another uncertain factor. “Vinsanity” can still hoop despite being upward of 40 years of age.

All in all, the Atlanta Hawks do not have the makings of a team that is sure to win a lot of regular season games. It will definitely be a long season in the ATL. For the Memphis Grizzlies, this bodes well for achieving their first victory of the 2018 NBA Preseason.

Next. Memphis Grizzlies: Chandler Parsons Belongs in the Starting Rotation. dark

Though this Hawks club is not as talented as the team the Memphis Grizzlies faced on Tuesday, building momentum heading into the regular season is essential. The Grizz need all the positivity they can generate in order to compete all season long within the almighty Western Conference.

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