The Memphis Grizzlies began their regular season with three consecutive home games without at least four of their projected rotational players. Cedric Coward's development was expected to be at a slower pace, but he quickly had to play more minutes than what was probably initially planned for him at the beginning of the season.
However, he has taken those minutes and run with them, showing the promising traits that forced the Grizzlies to trade up five spots to select him on draft night. With constant improvement game by game, leading to his best performance against the Miami Heat on October 25th, it is just a matter of time before the rookie enters the starting lineup discussion from the bench.
Cedric Coward can contend for Rookie honors
The 6'6" wing from Washington State got off to a slow start during the Grizzlies' preseason slate, mostly due to him not playing in an organized basketball game since suffering a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder in November last year. He was also playing his first minutes in the NBA, leading to him finishing with a 31.1% field goal percentage through five games.
He quickly flipped the switch during the Grizzlies' season-opening victory over the New Orleans Pelicans with 14 points, three rebounds, two steals, and an impressive block at the rim in a one-point game in the closing lineup. He also shot 5-5 from the field in that game in 22 minutes, building confidence from a lackluster preseason.
Entering his first set of back-to-back games in his early career, he followed his official NBA debut with 16 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals against the Miami Heat and 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists against the Indiana Pacers. What was most impressive about his two-game weekend against Eastern Conference foes was his three-point shooting.
Touted as an efficient shooter at the rim and from three going into the draft, Coward finished the preseason shooting 3-26 from three. His form looked good, so the cause for concern was mild, but it was also the fanbase's first time seeing him play. Now, he has quickly shown the shooting prowess that was expected after shooting 8-11 in their back-to-back set, including 6-6 against the Pacers.
During his 100% shooting performance against the Pelicans, Coward didn't attempt a three-point shot, but gained his confidence on drives to the rim and at the free throw line. Three games is a small sample size, but Coward appears to be everything the Grizzlies envisioned and more. Don't be surprised if he's apart of the Rookie of the Year discussions at season's end.