The Memphis Grizzlies Back With Shelvin Mack At Backup Point Guard Over Jevon Carter

The Memphis Grizzlies backup point guard spot has frustrated fans all season. It seems that Shelvin Mack has taken that spot back from Jevon Carter.

The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Jevon Carter 32nd overall with the expectation that he would be the backup point guard. That was also before the signing of Shelvin Mack who would come in and earn that backup role.

There’s no denying that Mack has played some of the best basketball of his NBA career but some inconsistent play has fans calling for Carter to get his minutes.

On the season to this point, he is averaging 7.9 points, 3.1 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game. He has played in all but two games during a short stint where he lost the backup point guard role.

A misconception about his play to that point is that he turns the ball over a lot. While he has had some key turnovers this season he is averaging just 1.1 per game.

Mack has had some big games this season where he was key to securing a victory such as his 19 point performance on the road in a win over his former team the Utah Jazz.

J.B. Bickerstaff also made it known that they were going to roll with Carter as the backup point guard going forward.

Fans thought they got what they have been wanting for some time now. Carter has brought a different energy to this team and it has sparked this team has multiple occasions.

He showed that in a loss against the Houston Rockets when he frustrated their star guards James Harden and Chris Paul.

His ability to defend at a high level is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. He is already an elite NBA defender who just needs to continue to work on his offensive game.

His shots haven’t been falling so far with the Grizzlies but it will come. He has shown in college at West Virginia and in the G-League with the Hustle that he is a capable scorer.

In nine NBA games so far he is averaging 2.7 points and 1.6 assists per game on just 26% shooting from the field and only 18% from three-point range.

He was forced to missed Wednesday nights game due to right knee soreness which opened the door for Mack to get his job back.

In that game, he finished with 10 points and 7 assists in a 10 point win against the San Antonio Spurs that ended a six-game losing streak.

He followed that up with a huge role in the Miami game as he played 28 minutes as he did so often earlier this season. In that game, he scored 13 points and may have solidified himself as the primary backup point guard for the time being.

With Dillon Brooks being done for the rest of the season and Justin Holiday off to an underwhelming start with the Grizzlies there still is a role for Carter on this team.

If he can play alongside Mike Conley and Mack in lineups he can focus on the defensive side of the floor and can continue to become more comfortable on offense.

He played just six minutes in the loss in Miami but I would be surprised if he didn’t see that rise into at least the 10 or 12-minute range.

We all know Bickerstaff loves his veterans but Mack will be on a somewhat short leash. If he starts struggling as he has for much of the season expect him to lose some of his minutes.

Either way with the way the current roster is constructed I see no reason that both of them can’t be in the rotation.

Until other guys start playing better or moves are made expect both of these guys to play in every game. For the time being, Mack will be the backup point guard.