Playbook: Jaren Jackson goes viral, plus Grizz preseason schedule taking shape

Welcome to the August 10, 2022 edition of the Memphis Grizzlies Playbook, a weekly column penned by our Site Expert, Jacob Ellerbee.

We’re in the dog days of summer for the Grizzlies and the NBA, but there’s still chatter happening around the league involving Memphis.

Much of that chatter continues to surround the Grizzlies and the Golden State Warriors.

Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson makes headlines after TikTok post

Jaren Jackson Jr. posted some interesting content on his TikTok account this week, featuring some of his journey as he works his way back from offseason surgery.

In the video, you can see Jackson working out in a gym that features a chalkboard. Eagle-eyed viewers noticed a message on that board, written in clear, big letters: a quote from Draymond Green.

The quote reads, “Memphis is going to get their reality check – Draymond Green.”

You would think with multiple championships and multiple post-season awards, some chirping, and trash talking would be ignored by the elder statesmen of the NBA, but apparently not.

The Warriors just can’t stop thinking and talking about the Memphis Grizzlies and I’m here for it. Keep this same energy and bring on that Christmas Day 2022 game!

ESPN’s Marc Spears calls Grizzlies and Warriors best rivalry in the league

Analyst and writer Marc Spears went on one of ESPN’s shows and talked up the Grizzlies and Warriors as the best rivalry in the NBA today.

"“It’s the best rivalry, hands down. Look, opening night, they need to come to San Francisco, Christmas, Grizzlies need to come to San Francisco, MLK, the Warriors need to go to Memphis and on the Saturday on the NBA countdown game, let’s make this the marquee matchup."

Spears didn’t just stump for the Christmas Day marquee matchup for these two teams. He wants it all: an opening night match-up, an MLK Day matchup, and a prime-time Saturday night game later in the regular season.

Say less, Marc! I think everyone in Memphis will back you up with this decree to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. We’d love nothing more than to go right at the Champs on Day 1.

Memphis Grizzlies 2022-23 preseason schedule taking shape

The Grizzlies have not published their 2022-23 NBA Preseason schedule, however thanks to a few teams that have, we can start to piece together who Memphis will be competing against in early October.

It appears most teams will be playing five games beginning October 1 and lasting until the middle of the month.

Thanks to the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic, we know three (out of the likely five) matchups we’ll see:

October 1 @ Milwaukee Bucks

October 3 vs Orlando Magic

October 11 @ Orlando Magic

My guess is there will be two games sandwiched between the games against the Orlando Magic. It would be nice to see the Grizzlies venture outside the FedEx Forum for a “home” game in a nearby non-NBA city.

In a poll we posited to our followers several weeks ago, most wanted to see the Memphis Grizzlies play a game in Nashville, followed by Murray, Kentucky (Ja Morant’s college town).

Having preseason games in non-NBA cities is a great way to expand the team’s footprint, and build a stronger regional base at a cheap price point for fans. The team could sell a ton of merch and get a ton of free local media out of the ordeal. It’s a win-win.

Maybe we’ll see the Grizzlies use one of their preseason games to expand the tent. Whatever happens, we are just seven weeks away from the Memphis Grizzlies kicking off their first exhibition game of the new season.