Memphis Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson Provided Hope for Small Forward Stability in 2018-19 NBA Season
Strengths
Defense
When the Memphis Grizzlies officially inked Kyle Anderson to an offer sheet nearly one year ago, they knew exactly what they were getting. The price was right if that was all Anderson could do — be one of the top-20 best defenders in the NBA. However, they did their homework. The Grizzlies knew he had more to offer, and they had the minutes and the role to offer in order to unlock his full skill set.
On the defensive end in the 2017-18 NBA season, Kyle Anderson ranked third overall in defensive box plus/minus, fourth steal percentage, sixth in defensive rating, and 16th in defensive win shares. What is more impressive is that he accomplished these high rankings while receiving just 26.7 points per game — hardly a starting role.
In playing just 43 of 82 games in 2018-19, you cannot necessarily compare Kyle Anderson today to the version of him one year ago. He needed to appear in more games in order to be placed in the conversation for some of these categories. However, in watching him in action for the Grizzlies this season, his defensive presence was something to behold.
Anderson is not afraid to clog the lanes and the painted area. His length and basketball IQ allow him to think seconds ahead while on defense. This is how he amassed the third-most steals on the team (second-most in steals per game) despite participating in only half of the schedule’s meetings. Plus, his height allows him to be a nuissance to the opposition when their shot clock is winding down.
Kyle was a huge reason the Grizzlies owned the league’s second-best team defense in the NBA to start the season, which set the tone all the way to the 82-game finish line. A frontcourt of Kyle Anderson plus Jaren Jackson Jr. and, say, Jonas Valanciunas, is very intriguing. That is a lot of height and length on the defensive end, yet it is just a dream for now being as this trio did not see the floor together at all this season.
Passing/Playmaking
Kyle Anderson does not display much flash to his game. He is purely fundamental, and that is a great thing in all honesty. The Memphis Grizzlies knew this prior to extending a lucrative contract offer to the former San Antonio Spur last summer.
light. Related Story. Memphis Grizzlies: Kyle Anderson Enters Important Offseason Following Successful Surgery
However, when it comes to passing and playmaking, Anderson excels without the fancy moves. He gets the job done, and he does so in effective fashion. He was one of just five Grizzlies to surpass the 100 assists mark in the 2018-19 season, and two of those other four players are no longer on Memphis’ roster.
Memphis will rely upon Kyle Anderson more in his second season with the Grizzlies, and rightfully so. Not only is he one of their biggest investments, but he did a lot of good when he was on the floor. The Memphis Grizzlies won 66.7% of their games when Kyle notched at least six assists.
In Kyle Anderson’s triple-double performance versus the Brooklyn Nets this season, he had determination in his eye to get the ball to Jaren Jackson Jr., who had a field day against Brooklyn in both meetings versus the Nets. While it seemed as if Kyle was the only Grizzly looking for JJJ, it really was his high basketball IQ kicking in. He had a knack for getting the ball up the floor and into Jaren’s hands as soon as Jackson Jr. found early post position. In return, the rookie scored field goal after field goal en route to 19 points that particular evening.
Following that night, Kyle Anderson would go on to play just six more games the rest of the season. This is another big reason why fans of the Memphis Grizzlies are so hopeful for his return to the hardwood. He exited on a relatively high note.