Grizzlies guard gushes over Derrick Rose ahead of preseason finale

This summer, the Memphis Grizzlies bolstered their backcourt depth in a major way with the trade for Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics and the signing of Derrick Rose via free agency.

By acquiring these two seasoned ballers, not only have they managed to add some much-needed veteran leadership to this highly talented yet still young roster but they’ve also attained two proven commodities to help fill in at the point guard position during Ja Morant’s impending 25-game suspension to start the season.

Though the majority of attention and praise has been directed at Smart throughout the offseason, he himself seems to be more enamored with Rose’s arrival in Grind City, as he praised the former All-Star during a recent Grizzlies function, going as far as to refer to him as “one of the greatest guards” in basketball history.

Marcus Smart praises Derrick Rose at recent Memphis Grizzlies event

"“It was just a blessing [to come to the Grizzlies] and then, you know, to have D-Rose also be a part of this with me,” Smart said. “[He’s] one of the greatest point guards this game has ever seen.”"

Despite no longer being the perennial All-Star, league MVP, and franchise cornerstone he once was, since 2018-19 Rose has masterfully been able to transform himself into a tremendous leader and role player on the hardwood.

Over the last five seasons, the 35-year-old has posted impressive per-game averages of 14.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds on 47.1 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent shooting from deep whilst predominantly coming off the pine.

Along the way, he has found himself in the conversation as being one of the game’s best reserve players and, in 2020-21, finished third in the running for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award.

Now, heading into his first season with the Grizzlies in year 16, Rose is hoping to show he still has plenty of gas left in his tank to help contribute to winning basketball with his skills on the court.

Already, from what fans have seen, it seems the guard has shown that he’s capable of doing exactly that

New research suggests Grizzlies could flourish with or without Ja Morant

Recently surfaced data suggests the Memphis Grizzlies may have an easy time succeeding during the 2023-24 season with and without Ja Morant.