Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Players From 2018-19 Team To Compete In The Postseason
By Chris Kern
Garrett Temple
Garrett Temple wasn’t the most popular player during his time in Memphis, but he had some big moments and could play a key role in these playoffs with the Clippers. He hasn’t been great offensively, but he is a tough veteran defender who will be valuable in this playoff series.
The Clippers will need to be playing at their absolute best if they even want a chance to beat the Warriors. If they struggle at all, they could get swept. If Temple is able to play good defense and knock down a few shots per game that will be a huge boost.
The Grizzlies traded Temple to Los Angeles in a deal for Avery Bradley, JaMychal Green was also sent to the Clippers in this deal. Bradley played in 14 games with Memphis as he averaged 16.1 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.
Temple did have some struggles in Memphis, but he was playing better in a larger role there than he has in Los Angeles. With the Grizzlies, he played 49 games and averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game on 43% shooting from the field including a 35% mark from three-point range in 31.2 minutes per game.
A lot of his higher numbers have to do with a larger role, but some of it does have to do with him playing better. The Clippers have other talented guards such as Lou Williams and Landry Shamet who play key roles for this team. This is a team that prides themselves on team ball so they don’t rely on one or two guys to play big minutes, they win games collectively and they enjoy doing so.
In 26 games with the Clippers, he is averaging just 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds per game on 40% from the field including 30% from three-point range, in 19.6 minutes per game. He will need to be more efficient if he wants to help this team win games.
The Warriors are the two-time defending champs and they have the most talented lineup in the game. Temple will need to play a big role on the defensive end as the Clippers try to contain their stars in Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant.