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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 must work on his jumper (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Weaknesses

Scoring

In assessing Kyle Anderson’s fundamentally sound game, there is one major lapse. Simply put, the Memphis Grizzlies cannot count on him for scoring, and that may not ever change while he is donning a Grizzly uniform.

This is nothing new. Memphis went into NBA Free-Agency knowing that Anderson was not a big-time scorer. However, when he does attempt a field goal, it will likely fall through the net. He was a 47.8% overall shooter as a member of the San Antonio Spurs, and he elevated this mark in 2018-19 with the Grizzlies. Through 43 games, he shot 54.3%, and that is with a weak shooting arm/shoulder that eventually caused him to shut it down for surgery.

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It boils down to Kyle Anderson’s high basketball IQ. He looks to pass first, and if he is going to shoot it, he ensures it is a good, quality look at the hoop. Now that is Grizzlies basketball dating back to the Core Four/Grit-‘N’-Grind days, a la Zach Randolph inside the arc.

However, as previously mentioned, the Memphis Grizzlies have been longing for a productive small forward. They really need that Rudy Gay type, although a more balanced version of Rudy. Kyle Anderson’s defense is as good as Rudy Gay’s offense. Perhaps with more freedom and an expanded role that has found Kyle in Memphis, he can now focus on diversifying his scoring ability (or lack therof).

It appears that Anderson will never be “the man” in Memphis, Tennessee due to the emergence of potential superstar Jaren Jackson Jr., along with the young shooting wings that are now a part of the team’s core of the future. With a new head coach soon to be implemented, it will be interesting to see if the new guy in charge will look to keep Kyle in the facilitation role on offense, or if he looks to get him more shots to solve the team’s scoring woes.

If I had to bet, I do not see the Grizzlies altering Anderson’s game as he enters his sixth professional season. That could become a problem if they cannot find consistent scoring at the shooting guard position and/or reserve units. Memphis ranked dead last in scoring in the 2018-19 regular season.

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