NASHVILLE — Pump the brakes.
New is always exciting, but Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins puts up a cautionary warning – things could be messy first before they begin to click.
A new-look offense is in store for Memphis this season, and the Grizzlies tipped off their strategy Tuesday afternoon at the team’s first official practice held at The Ensworth School in Nashville.
Two priorities are more ball movement and cuts. In other words, the ball touches everyone’s hands on offense, so more organic players work their way into the flow of the game.
This means less pick and roll with guys standing around playing off of players. More cuts should also be keeping the defense honest. Many teams have been able to key in on star point guard Ja Morant with multiple defenders; more cutting should keep defenders honest.
GRIZZLIES INJURY UPDATE:Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. injures hamstring at team’s first preseason practice
I feel like it plays right into my hand and allows me to get better looks and don’t have to create so much,” Morant said.
Freeing Up Ja Morant
Morant now will be able to defer more to other players to organize the offense. That won’t work in some systems, but that is something the Grizzlies have the personnel to try. Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane are two projected starters who have shown the ability to average more than five assists a season as playmakers.
In each of the two previous Grizzlies playoff series losses, defenses zeroed in on Morant when he was on the floor and the Grizzlies’ offense relied heavily on his ability to make things happen.
“I feel like it will make us more dangerous to guard as the ball keeps moving around the floor,” Morant said.
New Grizzlies offensive challenges
It’s just one day of practice so far, but the planning for such changes has been ongoing for everyone. First, the summer league players got a glimpse of them and many of the Grizzlies’ players worked together in the summer, with that new offensive principle also a point of focus.
For instance, the tempo is going to have to be pushed, which is nothing new, but on several plays whoever rebounds can start the offense. In other words, one possession it might be Morant; on the next, Smart might be getting everybody aligned. During preseason, players will learn where to go based on who is starting the show.
Get the Memphis Sports newsletter in your inbox.
“It’s simple,” Morant said. “Obviously it’s new to us. It’s not going to be perfect day one. We still got a lot to work on pretty much with spacing.”
Another challenge with the new flashy toy is the obvious. More guys getting the ball means fewer offensive touches for Morant. Jenkins will be tasked with figuring out a medium.
Morant’s one of the best facilitators in the league, and he clearly makes the offense soar to new heights when he’s running the show, but you don’t want to rely too heavily on those skills.
“It’s going to be a fun process,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to have to read each other. We’re going to have to have that level of feel that’s going to come out as we’re competing here in training camp, the rest of preseason, the preseason games to kind of get a feel for the strengths of all our guys.”
Zach Edey’s fit in new offense
This brand of basketball should be smoother for players like Morant, Smart, and Bane since all of them have experience playing both on and off the ball.
One that will be under observation, though, is their rookie first-round draft pick in Zach Edey. Coming out of Purdue, the sole thing this 7-foot-4 center was asked to do – when single-covered – was to score the ball. In Memphis, he could very well face some instances where he is asked to be more of a facilitator of the play out of those positions.
Edey said he believes his passing is an underrated part of his game. Now, with the emphasis and different style of basketball in place, he’s ready to show what he can bring to a new offense.
“Now I’m trying to see the floor, I’m trying to make plays for other people,” he said. “It’s just a different way of playing basketball.
Be the first to comment