One of the first quotes that really stood out from first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo's media availability before the season was about the defense. His vision was for opposing teams to feel like they're going to the dentist. Even though the Grizzlies currently lack size, that vision from Iisalo is starting to come together in one key area.
The one problem that will exist for almost the rest of the season is that the Grizzlies' defense will have a hard time finishing possessions without having any healthy centers. Despite this, the Grizzlies' defensive playmaking has shown a lot more life lately and should be a floor raiser past this season.
The Grizzlies have been creating way more deflections
One of the things the Grizzlies need to do to get back to their defensive standard after this season is be disruptive with their playmaking. Since the trade deadline, they have been much more active in that area. The Grizzlies are currently creating 22.6 deflections per game since February 5, the third-best mark in the NBA during that stretch. They are also creating 12.5 steals per game, which leads the league.
While the sample size is limited, the film easily shows how much more disruptive the young Grizzlies' defenders are starting to become. The hustle is very contagious on the team lately, and what really stands out is how active the hands are of the Grizzlies' young players.
The defense will inevitably have struggles simply due to youth and the lack of healthy rim protectors. However, it is starting to become easier to understand the Grizzlies' defensive vision past this season.
Grizzlies can become a solid defensive unit with healthy centers
In the stretch of 11 games that Zach Edey played this season, the Grizzlies had one of the better defenses in the entire league. Even without Edey, the defense still functioned well in the limited sample size that Christian Koloko was a Grizzly on his ten-day contract.
One of the biggest obstacles to the Grizzlies defense right now is that they lack size and aren't able to get more defensive rebounds, even if they force the other team into bad shots. Jaylen Wells has proven to be a solid defender as soon as he entered the league, and young players such as GG Jackson II and Olivier-Maxence Prosper keep growing on the defensive end.
Pairing the Grizzlies' young wings with healthy centers can lead to the Grizzlies' defense having a very fast turnaround next season. Even though the circumstances were a little bit different for a team like the Phoenix Suns, their dramatic defensive leap this year can also serve as a good example for next year's Grizzlies team.
The Grizzlies will likely have more bad nights defensively, but mostly due to the lack of available frontcourt size. It is clear the Grizzlies' young players are bought in right now and making a significant leap in defensive playmaking. It might not get noticed as much due to the Grizzlies' record, but it is a development that deserves more attention.