Memphis Grizzlies: Jevon Carter’s Role Going Forward
By Chris Kern
Despite the Memphis Grizzlies recent struggles there is something positive they can take away from a recent loss. Jevon Carter showed out in his NBA debut in front of the home crowd.
The Memphis Grizzlies are in a funk there’s no doubt about that. Jevon Carter just might be the piece to break them out of that funk going forward.
He had a very impressive NBA debut in a loss against the Houston Rockets. He finished with 11 points and 2 steals in 22 minutes of action.
In what normally would’ve been a terrible two days for Grizzlies fans Carter gave them something positive to cheer about.
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After many fans were excited about a trade for Kelly Oubre that wouldn’t actually happen being paired with back to back losses at home it wasn’t a very good weekend for Memphis fans.
Carter brought some life to the arena and was a key part in leading the Grizzlies back into the game. They trailed by 21 at the half but he helped get it all the way down to just six late in the fourth quarter.
The fans have been wanting him to get a chance to prove himself all season long and he finally got that chance. It was only because of an injury to Kyle Anderson but he may have done enough to warrant a spot in the rotation no matter if everyone is healthy or not.
There is very much a debate though as to what to do with Shelvin Mack. We know the fans want all of his minutes to go to Carter but that isn’t going to happen.
Mack has had a good start to the season despite some recent struggles. He is averaging 8.7 points and 3.2 assists per game which would be a career-high in scoring.
Despite him playing well he wasn’t signed to be the primary backup point guard long term. They drafted Carter to fill that spot and it was only a matter of time.
He had been playing well in the G-League and had shown that he was more than ready for this opportunity. It will be interesting to see how many minutes he does end up playing.
I think starting off he will take more of MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden‘s minutes rather than Mack’s. That was how the Grizzlies played it Saturday night and they could use that approach on Saturday night.
They trust Mack alongside Conley and the other starters and would likely stick with that at least while Anderson is out.
When Dillon Brooks returns is when this debate might actually get interesting. Until then there may not be much of a decision to be made. They both will get their minutes and it could even be that way after Brooks returns.
The Grizzlies have been mixing and matching their rotations all season long. What they go with on Monday likely won’t be the same one that they use throughout the rest of the road trip.
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It’s hard to fully predict who JB Bickerstaff will go with going forward but we do know one thing. Carter has earned himself spot in the Grizzlies rotation right away.