The Memphis Grizzlies finally won a basketball game on Thursday night. It helps when you are taking on a team more broken than you are, of course. The Sacramento Kings have legitimate issues on a variety of levels. But for a time, many who follow Memphis felt things were too far gone for this season.
Now, after seeing what that actually looks like. It ain't the Grizzlies - yet.
Zach Edey looks to be ready to take a sophomore season leap. Vince Williams Jr. is filling the emergency point guard role admirably. Jock Landale seems comfortable in a reserve role and contributed in a big way. Cedric Coward may well be another Memphis Grizzlies All-Rookie Team member.
But against the Kings, one player in particular made the most of his moment. And not a moment too soon.
Santi Aldama signed a contract extension this past summer and is now one of the highest-paid members of the Grizzlies organization. While money is not the driving factor in all things team building, it, of course, does show an organization's willingness to invest finite resources in what you bring to the franchise. Aldama was deemed worthy of that investment.
Santi's season hasn't been "bad", per se. But it also wasn't what you'd want from a player paid to be a sixth man scoring spark off the bench. In fact, even after last night's start - his first of the season - in which he scored 29 points on 18 shots alongside 5 rebounds and 3 assists, his points per shot attempt remain lower this season than last per Cleaning the Glass.
It's reflective of the challenges Memphis has faced so far this season - the lack of depth, especially in terms of primary facilitators, particularly. But when you're paid like a fringe starter/key reserve, you're expected to do more than that.
Santi Aldama looked great as a starter
Aldama met the call when the Grizzlies needed him most against the Kings. His floater was falling. He was taking advantage of the size and "gravity" Zach Edey has on screen and roll looks leading to open threes. He, at 6'11" himself, was more active seeking mismatches both on the perimeter and in the low post.
It was a masterclass performance, admittedly against a team worse than Memphis (apparently by a considerable margin). But the best part was that so much of it is translatable beyond just one contest against the hapless Sacramento Kings.
Eventually, Jaren Jackson Jr. will return to the starting lineup - meaning Santi goes back to the bench. At some point, Ja Morant and Ty Jerome will play large roles in the offensive production of the Grizzlies. In theory, Aldama's opportunities will become more limited in quantity.
That, however, doesn't mean the quality has to suffer.
Within the larger role that starting Thursday provided, Santi's biggest takeaway from the Kings game should be the confidence with which he played. Sacramento did little to stop him from getting to his spots, and many of his scoring chances were open because of his own dribble work or body positioning off of set and screens. Other teams will likely be better than the Kings, but Aldama's skill set will pose an issue for most NBA rosters, especially against their reserves.
And as Memphis gets healthier - if that ever actually happens - more attention will have to be paid to the Jeromes and Morants and Jackson Jr. types. Aldama was the Grizzlies' best offensive option against the Kings. Imagine what's possible when the cavalry (theoretically) arrives?
This is the Santi Aldama Memphis will need to help kick-start their season. An offensive engine that makes his team almost nine points better on that end of the court. A capable passer that keeps the ball moving, a solid rebounder that limits scoring chances for opponents.
Perhaps most importantly, a player who knows what he is capable of - and will continue to receive chances to put that skill set on display.