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Memphis Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson Provided Hope for Small Forward Stability in 2018-19 NBA Season

By Christian Dudley

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 5: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 5, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 5: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 5, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies Kyle Anderson
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Kyle Anderson played in just 43 of 82 games (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kyle Anderson’s first season as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies provided a lot of excitement, but was cut short by a right shoulder injury.

The small forward position is the one spot which wavered during the Memphis Grizzlies‘ Core Four run earlier in the decade. Had the Grizzlies found stability from health and productivity standpoints, the Grit-‘N’-Grind squads may have left an even more impressive legacy. That is a major reason for Memphis snagging Kyle Anderson prior to the 2018-19 NBA season.

Of course there was Rudy Gay, who was the franchise’s leader until Zach Randolph and Tony Allen called Memphis home. However, while Rudy battled a significant injury, the Grizzlies went on to reach their best days. Was this because more emphasis was placed on defense in Gay’s absence, or did the Grizzlies fall short of the NBA Finals due to a lack of Gay’s scoring potential?

You could easily argue both ways. Ultimately, the Memphis Grizzlies ditched Rudy Gay via trade. This brought Tayshaun Prince into town, though he was entering the final stretch of his NBA career. Prince was decent productivity-wise, but his playoff experience and leadership was the most beneficial aspect of his presence. Still, this was not key to a Finals appearance.

Memphis also tried some stopgap options, including Quincy Pondexter, but injuries and inconsistency ruled the small forward roost. It eventually led to the Grizzlies swinging a trade for Jeff Green, and as Grizz Nation now knows, inconsistency on the offensive end was the perfect description for that particular experiment.

Now in 2019, the Memphis Grizzlies are in the rebuilding stage once again. They have a handful of young prospects in which they are hoping will lead to the Promised Land. Yet, the Grizz need a splash of playoff experience and leadership to guide this team when the going gets tough. Kyle Anderson — an older young guy if you will — appears to be the answer to the Grizzlies’ small forward problems.

Anderson was sidelined due to a lingering right shoulder injury for half of his first season as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies. However, he impressed enough to prove the Front Office knew exactly what they were doing when they extended a four-year, $37 million offer sheet in last year’s NBA Free-Agency opening period.

Though the 2018-19 NBA season was disappointing from an overall team record standpoint, Kyle Anderson was a bright spot in the 43 games in which he appeared. He provided promise and hope for the Grizzlies’ future. Plus, he worked well with other members of Memphis’ youthful core, which is a major sigh of relief.

After logging 1,281 total minutes for the Memphis Grizzlies this NBA season, it is now time to assess Kyle Anderson’s game now that we know exactly what he brings to the table in an expanded role as a full-time starter. Beale Street Bears presents a SWOT analysis on the 25-year-old small forward.

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