Tag: Memphis Grizzlies

NBA players paid tribute to Jerry West after the death of the logo, former MVP, and executive

NBA players paid tribute to one of the greatest to ever do it.

Jerry West, the 1969 NBA Finals MVP and 1972 NBA champion, has died. He was 86 years old.

West, who remains the logo of the league, was one of the most accomplished individuals in basketball history. Not only was a 14-time All-Star (earning the nod every year he played) but he was just as successful, if not more so, after his playing career.

He won eight championships as an executive, helping assemble some of the greatest teams to ever step on the court, including uniting Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers.

West was named NBA’s Executive of the Year two times, receiving the honor in 1995 and 2004.

His life touched decades of players and his memory was honored by several around the league who had the opportunity to learn from him on and off the court.

NBA players remembered The Logo

Adem Bona to Grizzlies in ClutchPoints 2.0 mock draft

Bona to Memphis again.

Where will UCLA Bruins big man Adem Bona land in the 2024 NBA Draft? The second round has been the most common projection for Bona after the NBA Combine concluded.

It has been a flurry of different teams, ranging from the Indiana Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers and even the Boston Celtics in the first round of one mock.

Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints had Bona going to the Clippers in his first mock draft, but now he has Bona going at No. 39 to the Grizzlies in his latest mock:

At some point, the Grizzlies will grab a big man either in free agency or during the NBA Draft. Assuming they don’t end up with Clingan, Adem Bona could be a solid fit in Memphis, given the aggressiveness and strength he plays with. Honestly, there are some similarities that can be drawn to Xavier Tillman here. Bona is a strong big man who tends to play well in pick-and-roll sets as well as in the paint as a rebounder on both sides of the court. There isn’t much reason to believe that Bona can’t make a difference defensively early on in his career.

Bona impressed a lot of scouts at the NBA Combine, and landing in Memphis is an ideal spot for him.

Report: Rockets talking to Nets, Grizzlies about trades involving No. 3 draft pick

Brooklyn (Mikal Bridges) and Memphis (No. 9 pick and more) are potential trade partners for the Rockets with their No. 3 overall draft pick, Kevin O’Connor reports.

Through great lottery luck, the Rockets landed the No. 3 overall draft pick in the NBA’s 2024 first round. Yet, with a clear emphasis on winning now under head coach Ime Udoka and a young core that already consists of six first-round prospects from each of the previous three years, it’s unclear if Houston has the immediate playing time available to develop a player drafted that high in the order.

Thus, expectations are for the Rockets to actively engage in trade talks leading up to the June 26 first round.

Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, a longtime league insider, two candidates could already be at the front of the line.

As part of the video reveal of his latest mock draft (via YouTube), O’Connor says of the Rockets and the No. 3 pick:

The Rockets, according to my sources, are listening to trade offers for that No. 3 pick. They’re talking to the Nets, they’re talking to the Grizzlies. They could end up moving down to No. 9, if it’s Memphis, or out, if it’s Brooklyn — and then get back Mikal Bridges.

In the Memphis scenario, the Rockets would likely get some combination of future draft assets and/or a current role player in exchange for moving down from No. 3 to No. 9. The Grizzlies are seemingly targeting Connecticut center Donovan Clingan at No. 3, and the Rockets could have less of a need for Clingan — since they already have a talented young starter at center in Alperen Sengun.

In the Brooklyn scenario, Bridges would potentially be an upgrade over Dillon Brooks at small forward. He’s under contract for two more seasons at an average annual value of near $24 million.

Earlier this year, Houston reportedly inquired about Bridges, but the Nets had no interest in trading him at that time. But in the aftermath of a 32-50 season, perhaps the thinking has changed.

O’Connor didn’t report who Houston’s matching salary along with the No. 3 pick would be in any trade. To make a deal work under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Rockets would need to send out something in the range of $20-25 million in 2024-25 salary.

That might be Brooks ($22.3 million), but time will tell as to whether the Nets are interested in such an arrangement.

Now 27 years old, Bridges averaged 19.6 points (43.6% FG, 37.2% on 3-pointers), 4.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season. He’s also well regarded for his defensive talent and versatility.

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LOOK: Former Spartan working with Xavier Booker

Xavier Booker is putting in work with a former Spartan

Xavier Booker was a 5-star coming into MSU in the 2023 recruiting class. Booker, who has high expectations among the fanbase, is someone that fans are expecting a big season from in the 2024-25 campaign. If the Spartans are going to have the success fans desire in 2024-25, Booker is going to be a key component in that happening.

Here at the start of summer, it appears that Booker is getting some good work in with a former Spartan many believe Booker should be modeling his game after.

https://x.com/ssn_nba/status/1795952112414720266?s=46&t=wsijTQ4eyzHYcpF51dS9BA

Yes, Booker is getting workouts in with Jaren Jackson Jr., who is the player comparison that fits Booker best.

 

New trade proposal would send Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic to Memphis Grizzlies for wing depth

Would both parties pull the trigger on this hypothetical swap?

A Bleacher Report new trade proposal would send veteran Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic to Memphis Grizzlies for wing depth. The deal, cooked up by B/R league analyst Andy Bailey, would send Vooch to Memphis for sharpshooting 2 guard Luke Kennard and backup forward Ziaire Williams.

Pointing to the fact that while it might have been helpful for the Griz’ Jaren Jackson Jr. to have tried playing the 4 with center Stephen Adams out, it became clear he is more of a power forward in Bailey’s estimation. “He’s also more effective defensively when a burlier big takes the post presence while he’s allowed to roam,” writes the author.

Vooch “doesn’t check the defensive boxes the way Adams does, but he is more functionally a 5 than JJJ,” he adds.

“Having a starting five with two shooting bigs—Vooch made a respectable 35.9% of his triples over the three seasons prior to this one—could give Morant wider driving lanes than he’s ever seen,” writes Bailey.

“This price may seem steep, but losing Kennard stings less when you consider the ascension of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson. And Ziaire Williams is effectively the functional equivalent of including a second-round pick in the deal.”

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NBA All-Rookie: Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren unanimously voted to first team

Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller headlined the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller headlined the 2023-24 NBA All-Rookie first team announced on Monday by the league.

Wembanyama, the Rookie of the Year, and Holmgren were unanimous selections to the first team, earning all 99 votes from a global panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Miller finished in third place with 97 first-team votes.

Joining the trio are Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski. Jaquez received 89 first-place votes, while Podziemski earned 64 in the final tally released in the announcement by the league.

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II, Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Thunder guard Cason Wallace and Memphis Grizzlies guard GG Jackson II were named to the All-Rookie second team.

Jackson, after a strong finish to the season, edged Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis, Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson and Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson for the 10th and final place on the second team.

The 10 players selected to the two teams emerged as the top of the class following productive campaigns. They each have bright futures ahead and are cornerstones for their respective organizations.

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Grayson Allen, Luke Kennard end NBA season as the two best 3-point shooters

Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard, two of the best Blue Devils of the last decade, finished first and second in 3-point percentage for the 2023-24 NBA season.

The two best 3-point shooters during the 2023-24 season both played their college basketball in Durham.

Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard finished as the two most accurate 3-point shooters this past season.

Allen, who played for the Phoenix Suns, connected on 46.1% of his attempts. Kennard, a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, made 45.0% of his looks.

Both former Duke stars balanced their consistency with volume, too. Allen averaged 5.9 3-point attempts per game and Kennard averaged 6.1. Only two other players in the league finished above 43% while averaging at least five 3-point attempts per game.

Kennard played in only 39 games for the Grizzlies, but he averaged 25.6 minutes over those appearances. Allen averaged 33.5 minutes across 75 games for Phoenix.

The two played together at Cameron Indoor Stadium, too. Allen’s career started during the 2014-15 season before wrapping up as a senior in 2017-18. Kennard joined the program one year after Allen in 2015-16, but he left for the NBA after his sophomore year in 2017.

Allen’s Suns made the playoffs, but they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round.

Should the Boston Celtics try to trade for Memphis Grizzlies big man Santi Aldama this offseason?

The Celtics will need to keep their frontcourt depth capable and cheap while they contend for titles in the near-term future.

Should the Boston Celtics try to trade for Memphis Grizzlies big man Santi Aldama this offseason? The Celtics will need to keep their frontcourt depth capable and cheap while they contend for titles in the near-term future, and the Grizzlies combo big is cut from the sort of cloth that would work well in Boston. But could Memphis be convinced to part ways with him?

Per Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, they ought to try. “(Aldama) will make a hair less than (Jaden) Springer, and Boston could use a combo big to back up—and serve as insurances against injuries to—Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis,” writes the B/R NBA analyst.

“Aldama will cost more in total assets than Xavier Tillman (a free agent this summer),” he adds. “That’s fine. Boston has an armory of seconds, not to mention some firsts, it can dangle.”

“His prospective fit is good enough to contemplate giving up No. 30 as part of any package, even as he enters a contract year,” suggests Favale. “Aldama is pretty good at positioning himself in the right spots on defense, his 3-point clip will tick up above 35% on the Celtics, and he has some shiftiness to him off the dribble.”

We agree wholeheartedly on the fit for Aldama, but think it possible that Memphis simply isn’t interested in dealing him away with frontcourt depth issues of their own to consider. But if he were available, a first projected to go late in the top 30 picks would be worth the expense in our estimation.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Sandro Mamukelashvili says Spurs wanted bounce-back win over Grizzlies

After the San Antonio Spurs’ win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Sandro Mamukelashvili spoke about the team’s desire to win.

The San Antonio Spurs suffered a tough loss on Sunday night, falling to the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime. Tyrese Maxey put on a show, dropping 52 points and leading his team to victory. San Antonio fell up just short. Joel Embiid was out, and the Spurs still couldn’t get the job done against the 76ers, although they came close.

On Tuesday night, the Spurs were looking to get back on track. They had a date with the Memphis Grizzlies in Tennessee, kicking off a quick two-game road trip. Luckily for the Spurs, they were able to bounce back from their tough loss, earning a 102-87 win over the Grizzlies.

After the game, Sandro Mamukelashvili said that the Spurs all wanted to get a bounce-back victory and take down the Grizzlies. (H/t ESPN)

“We all wanted to win this game,” Mamukelashvili said. “We came out [after halftime] and picked up our defense.”

Mamukelashvili finished the game with 11 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists while shooting 4-ofo6 from the field and 1-of-3 from behind the three-point line.

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In 2024-25 and beyond, Dillon Brooks plans return to Memphis-era defense

Dillon Brooks on his defense this season: “I didn’t want to stir the pot, too much. I feel like the NBA restrained me from playing that type of game.”

The competitive juices were flowing for Houston forward Dillon Brooks during Sunday’s agonizing overtime loss at Dallas, which eliminated the Rockets from 2024 postseason contention.

Brooks spent much of the day locked in defensive battles against the Mavericks’ All-Star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

In postgame comments to reporters, Brooks confirmed the apparent increase in intensity, and he acknowledged there were times this season in which he didn’t defend with his preferred style.

Before signing with the Rockets in the 2023 offseason, Brooks incurred a series of fines and ejections for infractions that occurred during his final months with the Memphis Grizzlies.

As Brooks sees it, that played a role in him being a bit more conservative than he would like during the 2023-24 season.

Here’s what Brooks, who finished with a team-high three steals in Sunday’s game, said postgame to Brian Barefield of Rockets Wire:

I didn’t want to stir the pot too much. I feel like the NBA restrained me from playing that type of game. But I’ve just got to have an “I don’t care” mentality, and just deal with whatever comes with it.

Complete video of Brooks’ comments can be viewed below.

The competitive edge Brooks played with defensively in Dallas may also have fueled a breakout performance on the offensive end. Brooks finished with a season-high 29 points while making 9-of-14 shots (64.3%) and 5-of-6 from 3-point range (83.3%).

The Rockets (38-40) have four games left to play in the 2023-24 season and have an opportunity for a .500 record and a winning season. As part of that last-week push, Brooks is insisting he’ll bring the type of aggressive defense and competitive intensity that will be seen much more frequently in 2024-25 and beyond.

Next for Brooks and the Rockets is Tuesday’s home finale versus Orlando (46-32) with a 7 p.m. Central tipoff from Houston.

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