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It meant more to Silverfield Tigers Which bowl game could Memphis go to after becoming eligible Tiger Basketball How to watch Memphis Tigers vs. Virginia Tech basketball game Tigers For Tigers assistant and wife, daughter's disorder was call to action FOR SUBSCRIBERS What I like, don't like about the Memphis Grizzlies after 20 games EVAN BARNES | Memphis Commercial Appeal 23 minutes ago 20 games is usually when fans can get a fair evaluation of NBA teams. The Memphis Grizzlies are no different even if they'll miss Ja Morant out with a sprained left knee. Here's what I like and don't like about the Grizzlies through one quarter of the season. What I like: Brandon Clarke returns to rotation In our last check-up, I disliked how Brandon Clarke was out of the rotation to start the season. Now that Clarke is back, it’s been a boost to the bench. NO MORANT, NO PROBLEM: With Ja Morant sidelined, Memphis Grizzlies win 128-101 over Sacramento Kings TEAM MEETING: How a 90-minute team meeting got Memphis Grizzlies back on track NIKE AD: Grizzlies' Ja Morant said Nike commercial represented him and his love for Memphis well In the last 10 games, Clarke has averaged 8.3 points and 5.0 rebounds on 66.7% field goal shooting. He’s had five double-digit scoring games and at least five rebounds in his last four games. More than that, his energy around the rim has been needed to add another rebounder with Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson Jr. off the court. Get the Memphis Sports newsletter in your inbox. Your weekly breakdown of Tigers, Grizzlies and 901 FC headlines Delivery: Tues Your Email It didn’t make sense why Clarke was out of the lineup given his impact. But the Grizzlies have corrected it to add another high-energy player on the floor. View |22 Photos Memphis Grizzlies vs Atlanta Hawks Memphis Grizzlies vs Atlanta Hawks What I don’t like: Defense reaching historic lows The Grizzlies are on pace to give up their most points per game (115.6), highest opponent 3-point field goal percentage (39.6%) and worst defensive rating (115.2 points per 100 possessions) in franchise history. They’re the NBA’s worst in all three categories and fifth-worst in opponent paint points (47.7) How did a team that was top-10 in defensive rating last year fall so fast? I’ve already written it’s more than not having Dillon Brooks to start the year. Offense is down around the NBA and yet the Grizzlies have given up over 130 points twice and over 120 points six times. It’s a combination of poor rotations and effort. If the Grizzlies want to stop being inconsistent, it starts with at least committing on defense. Whether their shots fall or not, What I like: Close wins The Grizzlies are 6-2 in games decided by 10 points or less and 6-1 in games under 10 points. They’ve got quality road wins over the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors. Maybe that’s why it’s so maddening how inconsistent they’ve been. Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) and guard De'Anthony Melton (0) congratulate each other in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the … Show more BRANDON DILL, AP There’s a toughness in these Grizzlies that shows up against good teams. It’s not always there – see the Suns and Heat blowing them out – but when it shows up, you see a team taking a step forward. There’s a trust in late-game situations and both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have helped finish games with clutch efforts. Let’s be clear. They’re not good enough to turn it up a notch only to play around with lesser teams. But when they’re in a close fight, the Grizzlies are proving they can finish strong. What I don’t like: Steven Adams’ early returns The Grizzlies traded Jonas Valanciunas this past summer because he's a free agent in 2022 and it could help open the paint more for Morant and Jackson. However, getting Steven Adams in return hasn't worked out too well to start. Adams also leads the Grizzlies in rebounding, is fourth in the NBA with 3.6 offensive rebounds and eighth with 11.6 points off screen assists, or screens that lead to a made field goal. He was expected to be a role player and that's fine dirty work on his end. However, he's averaging fewer points (6.6) and rebounds (8.0) than he did last season with the Pelicans (7.6 and 8.9, respectively). At times, he doesn’t look to score even when his teammates set him up in the post. The Grizzlies also have a worse defensive rating with him on the court (115.3) than the New Orleans Pelicans have with Valanciunas (110.7) Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with Steven Adams during the first half of the team's NBA preseason basketball game against the Chicago Bulls … Show more CHARLES REX ARBOGAST, AP He's a willing passer and knows his role. But to go from Valanciunas as an automatic double-double to Adams is a downgrade that hasn't been worth his $17 million salary this season. What I like: Jaren Jackson Jr.’s growing post play When Jackson was slumping earlier this season, one issue was scoring in the paint. He's changed that by being getting to the rim more and being efficient. In the last 10 games, 82 of Jackson’s 163 points – 50.3% - have come in the paint and he’s had six games with at least 10 paint points. Per Cleaning the Glass, an NBA analytics site, Jackson is shooting 60% at the rim, an increase from 52% in his first 10 games. What that means is he’s realizing he can get more shots at close range while still relying on his 3-point shot. For Jackson to take the next step, he must be a true inside/outside presence as a scorer. He’s been a defensive wizard this season as the Grizzlies are 14 points worse with him off the court per Cleaning the Glass. If he can keep being assertive in the post on offense, it can help the Grizzlies be okay with Ja Morant injured and even better when he returns. What I don’t like: The Excuse of Youth This is a pet peeve of mine among Grizzlies observers. Some want to gloss over their struggles because they’re the second-youngest team in the NBA. Young teams make mistakes so cut them some slack, right? Yes and no. I call it the excuse of youth. It’s where fans overpraise the Grizzlies for surprising wins yet smooth over bad games to say they’re still in development. That would’ve been fine the first two seasons but not in Year Three when Morant is playing like an All-Star and the Grizzlies are fresh off a playoff run. You can't chalk up inconsistency to just youthful errors. The Grizzlies aren't using youth to excuse their poor play and neither should fans knowing how tough the West is. There will be growing pains but there needs to more consistent growth and fans should demand it knowing this team has high aspirations. Want to stay informed on the latest Memphis sports news? A Commercial Appeal subscription gets you unlimited access to the best inside information and updates on local sports, and the ability to tap into sports news from throughout the USA TODAY Network's 109 local sites. You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com 23 minutes ago More Stories Grizzlies' Ja Morant gets first Nike commercial Grizzlies Grizzlies' Morant leaves Hawks game with knee injury Grizzlies What's next for Ja Morant, Grizzlies after star guard's injury? Grizzlies 23 hours ago Ja Morant out for couple of weeks with sprained left knee Grizzlies Brooks, Bane carry Grizzlies to win over Kings Grizzlies Help Terms of Service Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Site Map Accessibility Our Ethical Principles Manage Cookies © Copyright Gannett 2021 About Your Privacy Clicking on the (X) in the top right corner retains the default setting of only strictly necessary cookies and "Always Active" purposes as preset by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) of Europe. We and our partners store and/or access information on a device, such as unique IDs in cookies to process personal data. 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