Final game scores are more than just a number. They are a reflection of what happened on the court. Winning or losing a game by 20 tells a very different story than games decided by one or two possessions, but there is always something that could have been done differently to impact the result either way. The box score highlights several important metrics, but rebounding is high up on the list in terms of importance.
Rebounding is such a crucial skill that the Grizzlies need to consistently prioritize throughout the season. These are second chance points, so it’s important to try and get as many as possible. Last season, Memphis was the 2nd best rebounding team in the NBA, behind only the Houston Rockets. They averaged 12.9 offensive rebounds per game and 34.4 defensive rebounds per game, racking up an impressive 3,875 rebounds over the course of the season.
Their ability to crash the glass played a vital role in helping them win games last year, but things seem to be different heading into this season.
Rebounding was a weakness during the preseason
During the preseason, Memphis’ rebounding was all over the place, and, most of the time, it didn't help them win. Against the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets, the Grizzlies were severely out-rebounded.
In the Pistons matchup, Memphis started out strong and even led the game by 24 at one point. However, that lead began to evaporate before halftime and Detroit went into their locker room with a 10 point advantage. Were rebounds the only reason why the Grizzlies lost the game by 16? No, but getting out-rebounded by 17 is not a recipe for success.
In Charlotte, the Grizzlies only grabbed 33 rebounds, while the Hornets grabbed 56. Again, it’s hard to win a basketball game when a team gets out-rebounded by 23. Even if Memphis grabbed 5-10 more rebounds, they could have potentially cut into Detroit’s second half lead, while also sparking a run of their own.
Despite a poor showing in the rebounding column from the team as a whole, one extremely positive takeaway from the Charlotte game was rookie Javon Small’s performance. The final game score won’t show it, but Small had a very impactful night and continued to shine at the Kaseya Center where the Grizzlies traveled next.
Memphis won their final preseason game against the Miami Heat, and also looked a lot better from a rebounding perspective. They recorded 50 total rebounds in that game, 14 of which were offensive and 36 of which were defensive. This was the Grizzlies' most well rounded showing of the preseason, as they shot 52.9% on field goals and 51.3% on three pointers. Those stats are promising, but there is still work to be done.
Now, with the regular season just a few days away, the team needs to figure out what went right during the preseason and what went wrong. Ultimately, that is what the preseason is all about. Memphis might have had a 1-4 record, but did everyone play valuable minutes? Yes, and there are a lot of young stars on this team who showed up.
Did the new team members have a chance to play with everyone and build rapport? Yes, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ty Jerome (who is now injured), and Jock Landale seem to fit in nicely. The Grizzlies got some reps, built some rhythm, and now it’s time to bring it all together when the games start to count.