Cam Spencer has emerged as a breakout second-year player for the Grizzlies and was recently in the Rising Stars Challenge. It is clear that he was one of the best value picks of the entire 2024 NBA Draft.
Spencer is averaging 11.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists this season. He has also established himself as one of the best perimeter shooters in the entire NBA. Even though he has had a great season, he has been having a difficult last few games. Since the Golden State game on February 9, Spencer had only one double-digit scoring game until last night.
Spencer reminded everyone what he is still capable of
It was a well-balanced effort for the Grizzlies against the Mavericks last night. They had seven double-digit scorers for the game, and two-way players Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack weren't far off either. Both teams were incredibly shorthanded, but the Grizzlies had a less experienced rotation than the Mavericks.
It was Cam Spencer who ended up leading the game in scoring for both teams with 25 points in just 25 minutes. He set the tone early and was a big reason why the Mavericks couldn't get anything going. Spencer has recently struggled with more ball-handling responsibilities, but it is clear that he is at his best when playing off-ball. Beyond his natural three-point shooting, Spencer is a very smart cutter off the ball.
Even though Spencer entered the league as an older prospect, he has made a significant leap this year. Spencer's offensive IQ and shooting will likely keep the Grizzlies competitive in games the rest of this season. His role will likely reduce once the backcourt is at full strength; however, he is still a very reliable rotation piece.
Spencer has a golden opportunity the rest of the season
The Grizzlies went 4-7 for the month of February. Their defense has understandably been one of the worst in the league this month, given their injuries and roster shakeup at the trade deadline. However, the offense has been surprisingly solid and ranks 11th best in offensive rating for the month. This is especially impressive given that the Grizzlies' offense has featured many players in the early stages of their careers.
Cam Spencer has been a promising breakout candidate for the Grizzlies this year. Despite a recent rough patch of games, he showed last night what he remains capable of. A strong finish to the season will allow him to remain a key piece of next year's Grizzlies rotation.