Analyst issues bold Grizzlies prediction for 2023-24 season
By Mark Nilon
The Memphis Grizzlies may have lasted just six games during the quarterfinals of this past postseason, but ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne seems to believe that the club is in line to make a serious jump in 2023-24.
During a July 3 appearance on NBA Today, the senior writer went on to make a rather bold prediction for the Grizz, going as far as to say that she believes them to be perhaps the biggest threat to the reigning champion Denver Nuggets in their quest for a repeat.
“I made the mistake of picking the Memphis Grizzlies last year to break through, and I’m going to do it again,” Ramona Shelburne said. “I love what they did in getting Marcus Smart [and] Derrick Rose to be the veterans in that locker room. Marcus Smart is going to be a good player for them.”
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Shelburne would note during her argument that though there are concerns regarding Ja Morant’s off-court issues and suspension, ultimately, she stated the fact that “he’s going to be back” once his 25-game league-issued shelving comes to an end.
She would also acknowledge that this young Grizzlies core has been void of true veteran leadership for several years but feels that the additions of Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose will prove to be exactly what they need to finally get over the proverbial hump and into the title round.
“Last year they obviously they had some growing pains. They had the Ja Morant situation and injuries but they listened to what everyone said which is that you need some leadership and they went out and got two great leaders. The idea of Derrick Rose coming back to Memphis where he played his college ball and Marcus Smart now in that backcourt. I love what the Grizzlies did,” Shelburne said.
Both Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose have been revered for their leadership abilities, with the former getting praised by Celtics president Brad Stevens during a recent press conference for making the franchise “better off because you were there” while the latter was personally praised by Knicks All-NBA forward Julius Randle for his mentorship and vocal leadership in 2022-23.
During a recent Q&A with CLNS Media Boston Sports Network, Smart has already publicly shared his excitement to “play with a player like Ja” and to “do everything in my ability to help this team in Memphis.”
Since 2020-21, this Grizzlies core led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane has proven themselves to be a phenomenal regular season squad, compiling a record of 145-91 and seeing two second-place finishes in the Western Conference standings along the way.
Unfortunately, this success rate has not managed to translate into many playoff triumphs, as they have seen just one postseason series win during this span and have accumulated a losing record of 9-14.
Now with key new additions like Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose, however, Ramona Shelburne believes 2023-24 could finally prove to be the season in which the Grizzlies will see their true potential shine through when it matters most.
