The Memphis Grizzlies have several glaring flaws that they can address by implementing their second round NBA Draft selection, Jevon Carter.
Following a five-game winning streak, the Memphis Grizzlies now find themselves in a two-game losing rut. Their latest loss — a 103-98 final score versus the New York Knicks — should have never resulted in anything other than a Grizzly victory.
In the loss, Memphis shot the ball greater than 50% through the first three quarters. On the defensive end, they produced whopping 19 blocks as a team. The Grizzlies kept control of their possessions, sustaining just seven turnovers through 48 minutes.
As one scans through Sunday’s box score, two areas really tell the story behind the Memphis Grizzlies’ woes.
For starters, New York had a +15 advantage in the rebounding department. Enes Kanter notched a 21-point, 26-rebound effort for the Knicks.
This is a more significant accomplishment than the eye-popping numbers demonstrate given how tough defensively the Grizzlies have been. Namely, Marc Gasol has been shutting down opponents’ top big men, but not on Sunday.
Secondly, it was a common theme to see Marc Gasol and Mike Conley on the court during nearly every minute of the matchup. They played 40 and 39 minutes, respectively. So much for limiting the team’s star veteran tandem, right?!
Both guys have had to play big minutes for the Memphis Grizzlies to be as successful as they have been this season. Without either, and the team’s poor 2017-18 overall season record (22-60) makes a lot of sense.
The Grizzlies desperately need to find a key to success without Gasol and Conley. Believe it or not, the resolution(s) may be en route.
To cure Memphis’ rebounding pandemic, the Grizzlies are expected to sign veteran center Joakim Noah to bolster their bench. Though this will likely kick youngster Ivan Rabb lower on the team’s totem pole, it is a quick way to bring in a rebounding, passing, and defensive presence without breaking up any portion of the current roster.
Noah may not be the best overall solution for rebounding assistance, but it is perhaps the best available free-agent the Memphis Grizzlies could land in order to right the ship. On the topic of limiting Marc Gasol’s minutes, Joakim Noah also satisfies this need. The Grizz have needed Noah prior to this week and he cannot join soon enough.
In regard to Mike Conley’s playing time, Memphis has utilized a handful of veteran options this season. Garrett Temple began the season with the hot hand and Shelvin Mack has won the Grizzlies some games with his attacking style of play. However, the past few games have been lacking luster at the backup point guard position.
As Grizzlies Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff continues to tinker with lineups, now is the perfect time to implement rookie Jevon Carter into the rotation. More specifically, inserting him into the role as Conley’s primary backup should be the move.
Carter, Memphis’ second round pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, has yet to appear in a regular season NBA game. However, he has been tearing it up in the G-League as a member of the Memphis Hustle.
Jevon Carter has been embarrassing his opponents while stuffing the stat sheet. Through eight games with the Hustle, the West Virginia product is averaging 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 3.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks in 34.4 minutes per game.
Though Jevon has made a name for himself on the defensive end, he has been reminding folks that he can equally pack the punch on offense. He is shooting the ball with 45.6% accuracy, including 37.9% from beyond the arc.
The Grizzlies have been the NBA’s best team defense this season. By implementing Jevon Carter, this trend remains consistent. The tenacity in stopping opponents will not cease.
While Memphis is in desperate need for offense, trying Carter as an option does not hurt. He has yet to receive a chance in the NBA, and he has been finding great success against professional competition in the G-League. This move will not hurt at all in gauging Jevon’s readiness.
Grizz Nation should soon see Joakim Noah in uniform, and the same should be said of Jevon Carter. This could be one move to not only boost them past this two-game losing skid, but set them up for long-term success over the course of this 82-game season.