Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane put on notice prior to season opener following viral post

Wednesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies will be playing host to the New Orleans Pelicans for game one of their 82-game regular season slate. Facing numerous challenges such as key player suspensions and myriad injuries across the roster, coming into the festivities the team is undoubtedly focusing all its attention on finding ways to kick off the 2023-24 campaign with a W.

For those residing outside of the organization, however, it appears there are many who have geared their energy toward a recent social media post by FanDuel that, though involves a certain member of the Grizzlies, does not draw any extra attention to their upcoming season tip-off.

The post proposes a grouping of four teams consisting of three players from throughout league history and asks viewers which of the bunch would win a “3-on-3 tournament.” Of the 12 players included, 11 are either already in the Basketball Hall of Fame or will absolutely be once they are eligible.

The one player listed not in either of these categories: Desmond Bane.

Now, though the guard is undoubtedly a tremendous player currently in the association, seeing him included in a conversation revolving around legends like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and LeBron James seems to have many turning their heads.

As a result, the post is now quickly going viral, with many highlighting Bane’s surprising inclusion in the hypothetical tournament as an entertaining surprise.

Grizzlies star Desmond Bane put on notice following viral social media post

One user jokingly proposed the idea that the only reason Bane is mentioned on the post is because he was the one who created it in the first place.

Another suggested that even Bane is probably shocked to see his name included.

Of course, not all replies to the post were negative, as the promising young guard also received plenty of love, with one user choosing Team C because they believe Bane would go on to “carry” the likes of Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal.

Though it should likely go without saying that he is by no means on the same level as any of these other players mentioned on FanDuel’s post (not yet, anyway 😉), Bane has, indeed, proven himself to be one of the top young players currently in the NBA throughout his soon-to-be four-year career with the Grizzlies.

The 25-year-old finds himself heading into 2023-24 fresh off a career-best campaign where he posted 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 steals on a highly efficient 47.9 percent shooting from the field and 40.8 percent shooting from deep.

Now, coming into year four, he is expected to take on an even larger role within head coach Taylor Jenkins’ rotation with superstar Ja Morant out for the first 25 games of the year, thus leading many to suspect he could be in line for his first All-Star nod.

So while some may be having a laugh seeing Bane mentioned in the same breath as Bird, Jordan, and Allen Iverson, it seems to be a rather plausible scenario that his name will be intertwined with the likes of Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic while they, along with the rest of the current league’s elites gear up for February’s star-studded exhibition in Indianapolis.

3 Grizzlies predictions for season opener vs Pelicans

The Memphis Grizzlies will square off against the New Orleans Pelicans to kick off their 2023-24 campaign. Here are three predictions for the contest.