It’s rare that a rookie is relied on to play a meaningful role with a squad coming off six straight trips to the postseason, but Wade Baldwin IV seems like he’ll be an exception to the rule for the Grizzlies. Still, JaMychal Green is the X-factor in Memphis. At 6-9 with a 7-2 wingspan, the 26-year-old stretch 4 is getting the starting nod over Zach Randolph as coach David Fizdale looks to get the group playing faster.
In an attempt to add speed to the starting lineup, new head coach David Fizdale is giving Memphis a makeover. Longtime frontcourt duo Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph will still see the floor together at times. But Grit N’ Grind is transitioning into Grin N’ Bear It.
“I’m like an iguana I adapt,” said Z-Bo after draining four treys off the bench against the Sixers in their most recent preseason game. Randolph went for 17 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 17 minutes off the pine, earning rave reviews. Z-Bo moving to a sixth man role is probably best for him since he can outsmart, outwork, and overpower most 4s and 5s coming off the bench. Most importantly, Randolph has also made it clear that he will give his best effort no matter what role he is asked to fill, even if it’s just 10 minutes per night.
Meanwhile, JaMychal Green turned in 11 points (3-5 FG, 5-6 FT), 11 boards, two assists, and one block in 24 minutes. If Memphis is going to host a playoff series come May, or even be playing in one for that matter, Green will need to have more nights like this.
Tony Allen is still slated to hold down the fort as the starting 2 and premier perimeter defender, but for he and Randolph, age is finally starting to catch up to them. For the first time in almost forever, a rookie will play a fairly prominent role with Memphis.
With vet-loving coach Dave Joerger in Sacramento and the hole behind Allen and Mike Conley in the backcourt growing, Baldwin has a chance to seize a solid role. Whether he is ready to slot in at the 1 and 2 positions against grown men for 10-20 minutes per night only time will tell–but he’ll be in a unique situation nonetheless.
As evidenced by the career of Marc Gasol though, sometimes a player doesn’t receive a chance to start or play meaningful minutes right away. Such was also the case with the former Defensive MVP’s new frontcourt mate, JaMychal Green.
Prior to last season, Green had appeared in only 24 NBA games. He did boast an impressive D-League résumé. However, he was mostly an unknown on the big stage until he suited up in 78 contests last year with the Grizzlies, registering 7.4 points (46.5 FG, 33.3 3Pt, 75.2 FT), 4.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in under 19 minutes per game.
For those worrying about Green’s performance dropping off as he moves to the starting lineup, his production and efficiency in that role toward the end of last year helped the Grizzlies hold onto a playoff spot and the first round pick that became Baldwin.
In 15 starts during 2015-16, Green registered averages of 11.9 points (44.6 FG, 27.8 3Pt, 77.4 FT), 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 28.3 minutes. He allows Memphis’ first team to be quicker without sacrificing size and lets the second unit acquire some much-needed punch and poise on offense.
Green’s only real drop-off in starts compared to coming off the bench was his 3-point percentage–which dropped 10 percent, albeit in a very small sample size. Through three preseason games in October, Green is 0-5 from beyond the arc, so the evidence is slowly mounting there. Nevertheless, since the lineup change is predicated on speed instead of spacing, there’s no reason to panic just yet.
The biggest sign that Green is headed for sustained success in this league was his showing against the Spurs in the postseason. Though the Grizzlies were completely outmatched and subsequently swept by the 67-win defensive juggernaut where Green began his NBA career the year before in 2014-15 (albeit for just four games)–Green managed 6.8 points on 54.5 percent from the field to go along with 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 0.8 assists, and 0.8 steals across 18 minutes per game off the bench. During that series, Green led the team in field-goal percentage and was the only Grizzly besides former almost All-Star Lance Stephenson to shoot 50 percent or better from the field. Vince Carter and Chris Andersen were the only others who made 40 percent or more.
Memphis is still awaiting the return of the injured Chandler Parsons and praying on the resurgence of a fully healthy Marc Gasol. There are many wildcards in this wilderness of Tennessee, but these Grizzlies have been through a lot together.
A breakout campaign from Green in a starter’s role combined with some good fortune in the health department and the right lineup constructions from Fizdale could catapult Memphis into the battle for home-court advantage in 2016-17. Anything less and Memphis may struggle to muster up 40 wins, and thus wind up watching the playoffs from their actual homes. The margin for error is small in the modern NBA, where the middle of the pack is stronger than ever.
Whether it comes to fruition or not, the Grizzlies are relying on JaMychal Green to be their X-factor. With his help comes hope.
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