If there was a phrase to describe the Memphis Grizzlies throughout the 2020-21 season, it would probably be something like “sneaky good.”
The Grizzlies were never the most menacing team on paper, but they could compete with any other NBA squad on any given night. Sure, they were susceptible to the occasional off-night, resulting in a blowout, but this was a team that showed its potential without establishing itself as a true menace in the NBA.
They were quietly dangerous.
And it was that idea that drove this team to reach heights that nobody expected this soon in the rebuild — an underdog mentality. And that very same underdog mentality is one Memphis Grizzlies player’s bread and butter.
Memphis Grizzlies F Kyle Anderson embodied the team’s underdog mentality
There are plenty of big-name players on the Memphis Grizzlies including Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Dillon Brooks. But one of the most impactful players on the team may have gone under the radar in 2021.
That player is Kyle Anderson.
When looking at the Grizzlies starting lineup of Morant, Brooks, Anderson, Jackson, and Valanciunas, the last name that fans will notice is Slow-Mo’s. He’s not a flashy player, which may just work to his advantage.
Kyle Anderson, among other things, may be the most well-rounded player in the league. He can play feisty defense, get buckets on offense, and shoot at a respectable clip. He does this all while being one of the most important leaders on this team.
Here’s what Anderson’s per-game numbers looked like in the 2020-21 season.
- 12.1 Points
- 3.6 Assists
- 1.2 Steals
- 0.8 Blocks
- 5.7 Rebounds
He did all of this while shooting a respectable 36% from 3-point range, even with a late-season slump from deep. His overall field goal percentage was 46.8%.
Slow-Mo was one of the most efficient players in the game. His brilliance, and perhaps the reason why he is so overlooked, is in the fact that he can do everything on the floor well. He has no clear weak spots in his game, and despite the fact that he’s not a traditionally athletic guy, he has his own type of athleticism.
Plus, he brings a mature presence to a Grizzlies team that tends to show its youth at certain times. We saw Anderson get frustrated at points in the playoffs and lead his team back to a stable position. His value in that department cannot be quantified.
In this way, he embodies a Memphis Grizzlies team that doesn’t follow the modern NBA’s normal prototype. If Memphis finds success down the road, Anderson will be a huge part of it.