They have huge big man problems without Clarke and Adams. Ja will make them win a few more but he’s not gonna be a savior with the big men talent behind JJJ
I think people underrate just how much of a leader Ja was for this team on the court. He would just take over and feed people when others were struggling offensively.
Him returning isn’t gonna make us world beaters by any means but it’ll have more of an impact than people estimate
Can Memphis luck into a high draft pick?
Honestly I’ve been wondering if they should just punt the season.
They’ve had a hole at the 3 for years, why not just suck and get Ron Holland or something?
I believe it’s too early, even if we end up something like 5-20. A 36-21 record would put us even, at playoff zone, a couple win less 33-24 would mean play-in like and i dont think is unreasonable to achieve with Ja and other guys healthy. I understand a pick could be more valuable than a first round exit, but losing culture can do more damages.
I hate this take in the Grizz subreddit.
One bad season will not develop a losing culture, especially with what the Grizz have gone through so far.
Losing and winning cultures are probably more fragile then we realize. You gotta have a lot of trust they can turn it on next year. Ive been a part of some lockerooms that just felt like everyone was drowning but we weren’t literal professionals with millions of dollars so what the fuck do I know lol.
Look at when Steph broke his hand. The Warriors tanked, got the 2nd overall pick, and won the title AFTER that. Players are gonna try to win, they’re not a bunch of discouraged babies or whatever
Maybe im wrong, but we lost Tyus and Dillon, which were the “veterans” (most experienced) and lead the mindset of the team. I believe JJJ is a bit soft and Ja has his problems and all we need is playing meaningful basketball. And also what should we do once Ja is back, shutting down him again?
It’ll be too late for their season to matter tho
Weren’t Lakers 2-12 to start the year?
They also had LeBron James and Anthony Davis. I mean come on now lol
I mean yeah, next year.
Yea the team will be levels better, the concern is just if it’s too late
r/NBA already counting them out. They’ll be in the play-in.
No they won’t
They’re 3-13 and have 9 games left. Let’s say they’re 6-19 when Ja comes back. You think they’ll end up around 40 wins? That’s a 34-23 record in a tough Western Conference. Idk man. And 40 wins might be low this year.
I’m not counting them out completely, but not knowing their schedule over the next 9, if they’re 5-20 by the time he gets back, can they go finish the season in that 36 W-21 L range with the Ja addition alone to reach that play-in minimum standing (based on last season Western Conference)?
Like some others have said, they’re very lacking in big man depth. They’re gonna have guys here and there miss time. Hell, they’re gonna probably need to just let some of their guys rest too. They’ll also have to overcome teams like GSW, NOP, LAC, maybe HOU, who will likely have a healthy lead just to make the play-in. I’m admittedly not much of a fan of the Grizz, but trying to set my bias aside, it’s still hard to see that it’s gonna be too easy.
I’ll say this though, if Ja can singlehandedly inspire that squad to the play-in, he should get massive props from every corner of the media after all the negative press this off-season.
can they go finish the season in that 36 W-21 L range with the Ja addition alone to reach that play-in minimum standing (based on last season Western Conference)?
No lol
I just love ant bro he’s the best
At age 22 he already seems like one of the more PR savvy players in the league.
He’s an extremely charismatic, and good looking guy, so he’s naturally likeable. PR savvy isn’t the term I would use.
‘Savvy’ is probably not the right word, but he does have a gift for it, an ability to talk in front of the camera and engage with the reporter in a conversational way.
It’s not an easy thing to do for unexperienced people, and even your media-trained NBA players tend to just give dry, canned responses in this type of situation.
Even avoided the bait really well
“gotta let him lock in and loaa…focus…yeah focuss”
They will be much better, but that might still mean only going .500 or so from here on out. Ja alone can’t fix all those injuries.
The Grizz will come out gunning
Sounds like Memphis has some fair weather fans. You can hate on dubs fans now, but when my dad took me to Warriors games in the 90s, they always lost, but the place was always rocking.
A majority of the fans at warriors games aren’t those same fans and couldn’t name a player before steph
Bold take