The preseason home opener couldn’t have gone any better for the Memphis Grizzlies in their 109-97 win over the Orlando Magic. Taylor Jenkins rolled with a 10-man rotation for most of the game that included starting lineup of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Santi Aldama, and Steven Adams.
All 10 players played a little over 20 minutes each and gave Memphis Grizzlies fans so much to be excited about. The question of who will start in Jaren Jackson Jr’s place may have been answered. Ja Morant looked in midseason form. And, finally, Dillon Brooks gave the former first overall pick, Paolo Banchero, all kinds of trouble.
Santi Aldama Breakouts for Memphis Grizzlies in preseason home opener
One of the biggest questions for the offseason has been “Who will start in place of Jaren Jackson Jr?”
Santi Aldama got the nod on Monday, and never looked back. In just 24 minutes, Aldama put up 21 points and 6 rebounds. He started 4/4 from three and looked like a multi-year starter. It was clear why so many Grizzlies players and coaches were raving about him last week at media day.
Much of the offseason talk was centered around a Zaire Williams second-year leap, justifiably so, but after last night, Santi can take that same step. His three-point shooting and defense will be a crucial part of staying in that starting lineup.
Providing additional spacing for Morant to operate, like last night, will unlock even more offensive potential for this team. On the other end, holding his ground and not being a liability will also be enough to keep him out on the floor. To understand just how big of a performance this was, Jacob Ellerbee details Aldama’s arrival into the starting lineup!
Even though it is highly unlikely his production remains the same, Aldama in the starting lineup gives Taylor Jenkins the flexibility to bring Brandon Clarke and Ziaire Williams off the bench. Having these two guys off the bench provides depth and energy to hopefully boost the Grizzlies into having one of the best benches in the NBA, again. The biggest question of the offseason has been answered.