Memphis Grizzlies: 3 players who have had surprisingly good seasons in 2021
No. 1: Memphis Grizzlies C Jonas Valanciunas has been elite after the All-Star break
To preface this slide, it’s important to remember what Jonas Valanciunas was supposed to be for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lithuanian big man came to Memphis on the verge of his athletic prime. It looked like he had developed into everything he was supposed to be as an NBA player and the Grizzlies were okay with that.
But nobody saw JV’s final evolution coming.
Up to this point in his career, Valanciunas never had to be “the guy” for any team in the NBA. He was always a second or third option for his team. But that changed when Jaren Jackson Jr. went down.
Ja Morant is the most talented player on this team — nothing will change that. But Jonas Valanciunas has had one of the best seasons in Memphis Grizzlies franchise history with 17 points per game and 12.8 rebounds per contest.
It sounds insane to say it, but he’s averaging more rebounds per game than Zach Randolph’s franchise record and his scoring is skyrocketing as the season goes on. JV’s double-double streak is still continuing at 16, smashing his old record in each game. Valanciunas has been as good as prime Z-Bo in the past few weeks.
Next. 3 reasons why the Grizzlies should draft Matthew Hurt. dark
If he keeps up this level of play when Jackson Jr. returns, the Memphis Grizzlies will have the scariest frontcourt in the National Basketball Association. Don’t count this team out as a threat in the NBA Playoffs.