Memphis (19-11) is second in the West behind the Nuggets, who have a similar record. Morant is averaging 27.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field and 34.6 percent beyond the arc. Morant has done a lot of heavy lifting, with Desmond Bane still missing in action because of a sprained big toe he suffered in November.

That said, Morant is confident in Memphis’ place within the NBA hierarchy. The 2022 All-Star told Andrews that he believes the Boston Celtics (22-9) are the team to beat and the main team the Grizzlies will have to run through in order to win a championship. When the NBA Today host asked about the Western Conference, Morant said, “I’m fine in the West.”

The strong words come a season after the Grizzlies finished second in the West and lost a six-game second-round series to the eventual champion Warriors. The Southwest Division winners gave the Warriors a run for their money, but a Morant knee injury and the championship DNA of the Warriors were too much for the Grizzlies.

Through it all, the ’22 playoff run was marked by plenty of jaw-jacking, hard-nosed defense, and remarkable shotmaking from a Grizzlies team looking to burst through the championship scene. Memphis will look to exorcise those demons this season and make it to the Conference Finals and possibly beyond, with the Warriors facing some trouble with their win-and-develop-now approach to the season.

The post Ja Morant: Memphis Grizzlies Are ‘Fine in the West’ appeared first on SLAM.

But being 6’2″ and leading the NBA in paint scoring? Nah, Ja Morant is different for that. The fourth-year guard says the answer is simple as the fact that “motherf—ers can’t stay in front of me.” We can laugh at the comment all we want, but big facts are big facts; the 23-year-old out of Murray State led the League in points scored in the paint last season, becoming the first guard to do so in at least 25 years.

The behind-the-back in-transition at the speed he’s going. Sheesh, Ja. (via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/ztqceYs5Ss

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) October 14, 2022

And he does it with a God-given burst, the ability to change directions like a cheetah chasing it’s prey, and a shifty handle that even Allen Iverson could admire. Not to mention his supernatural ability to finish at the rim going around and through centers, Morant has taken notes from athletic guards like Derrick Rose and Iverson, two elite guards who won MVPs in 2001 and 2011, an ironic ten-year gap.

“People look at that athletic stuff, but that happens once a game or once every two games,” teammate Desmond Bane said of Morant’s highlight-reel dunks per ESPN. “But he finishes with 26 points and 20 of them are in the paint, so it’s like, how the hell did he get the other 18?”

Come on now, Ja. (via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/BcW8dIlKiO

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 16, 2022

One weapon Morant uses is his floater. Morant has 40.7 percent of the 90 floaters he attempted this season, and he’s averaging 14.5 points in the paint per game, good for seventh-best in the League. Last year, he hit same shot 44.7 percent of the team.

“It allows me to not receive contact every time,” Morant said, “being able to have that floater right before I get to the big.”

Morant can also dive deep into his bag and finish with either hand, and he thrives launching to the rim off one foot, two feet, leaping off his left instead of the right or vice versa. Morant is finishing his lefty layups 57.5 percent of the time this season.

Trip dub in The Garden? Go crazy, Ja.

27 pts
14 ast
10 reb

(via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/YEE2tb27un

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) November 28, 2022

Morant has 37 games with 20 paint points amongst guards in the last 25 years, fourth behind Dwyane Wade (56), Russell Westbrook (54), and Kobe Bryant (39). This season, Morant is the only player 6’3″ and under in the top seven of paints in the point scored per game. The only guard ahead of him Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 6’6′ breakout point guard of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I can’t just rely on dunking every single play, so I have to have different types of finishes to be able to get my shot off,” Morant said, “whether it’s high off the glass, same leg/same hand, reverse, hanging in the air forever.”

Memphis will look to win their fifth game in a row against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday.

The post How Ja Morant Became the Top Paint Scorer in the NBA appeared first on SLAM.

The @memgrizz announced the following medical update: pic.twitter.com/dqrovrIQYW

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) December 8, 2022

The Grizzles said Bane is progressing in rehab and that if his sprained toe responds positively to a “reloading protocol,” he’ll be able to return to play by the end of December or early January. Bane was initially expected to miss at least 2-3 weeks of action.

des bane wit the dot cause he aim different pic.twitter.com/TVd9YjqCMM

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 12, 2022

Bane was averaging a career-high 24.7 points. 4.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game and quickly established himself as the Robin to Ja Morant’s Batman when he suffered his toe injury.

The post Desmond Bane Expected to Miss An Additional 3-4 Weeks Due to Big Toe Injury appeared first on SLAM.

ICYMI: 

Most of the fireworks on Friday night happened in Houston in an absolute shoot-out between the Rockets and Atlanta Hawks. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray combined for 83 points, but it wasn’t enough. After leading by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, Atlanta squandered the lead, and the Rockets surged late to capture their fourth win of the season, 128-122.

Despite Murray scoring a career-high 39 points and making a career-high eight threes, the Hawks couldn’t get the job done. A big reason for this was their performance on the boards in the absence of Clint Capela, who was out due to dental pain. Houston outrebounded Atlanta 59-28. This included a 22-6 drubbing on the offensive boards and a 37-22 advantage on the defensive boards.

Most of the headlines after the game were about the aftermath of a third-quarter scrum between each team’s respective backcourt. Young and Murray did plenty of showboating on the way to scoring a combined 83 points, and you get the sense that Green and Kevin Porter Jr. didn’t like it one bit. Green and Porter took to Instagram to mock Young following the game. Green waved goodbye to the Hawks after their 18-point fourth quarter. 

Ja Morant messed around and dropped a triple-double in Madison Square Garden, dropping 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 dimes. He’s been highly productive during Desmond Bane, who suffered a sprained big toe injury on Nov. 15 and won’t be back for at least another week.

Postgame, Morant credited New York Knicks point guard and Chicago/Memphis legend Derrick Rose for paving the way for hyper-athletic guards by saying; 

“He really made it to where people believe in guys like me,” Morant told the Commercial Appeal. “Coming in, athletic guards, I felt like he was pretty much the one who kind of made it more famous. With how acrobatic his finish is, his touch around the rim, and how explosive he was. Coming in, he was my comparison. It’s crazy to be out there on the floor sharing a court with him.”

Klay Thompson was off to a rough start on the offensive side of the ball to begin the season, but he’s beginning to get on track. He shot 61.5 percent from the field in Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State scored 47 points in the first quarter and never really looked back. They had crisp offensive execution the entire game. 

The Boston Celtics continued their winning ways. They have won 12 of their last 13 games. They are a League-best 16-4 on the season. Jaylen Brown had 36 points in their most recent win sans Jayson Tatum against the Washington Wizards. The Celtics are poised for a return to the NBA Finals if they keep playing the way they’re playing. 

Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and the Brooklyn Nets are now only a single game under .500 following their 111-97 win against the Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Seth Curry was a big factor in the win against his former squad, with 29 points on 11-15 shooting. 

Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox has been playing out of his mind and is turning some heads. Fox has been shooting a career-high 53 percent from the field, helping him average 25.1 points per game, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game.

Fox has the Kings sitting in sixth place in a jammed Western Conference with a record of 10-8. Fox’s play has been so good that this past weekend, he inked a deal with one of the biggest and most well-known sports agencies in basketball Klutch Sports. For Sacramento, Fox’s recent play and lead role in the Kings’ resurgence could be just what the team needs to end their 16-year playoff drought.

The Kings have the talent and youth to be very disruptive if given a postseason opportunity. The team’s additions of Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk (in addition to Fox’s play) have been a great fit. Hopefully, Fox and the team can continue this momentum.

Over the weekend, the Lakers played the San Antonio Spurs for the third time in their last four games. During the third quarter of Saturday’s game, Russell Westbrook was going up for a layup after previously grabbing a rebound and was fouled on the way up by Spurs center Zach Collins. When Westbrook rose up from the ground heated from the foul, you could see that he had a cut and was visibly bleeding from his forehead.

The two teams got together for what seemed like a couple of seconds after the foul, but everyone was calmly escorted to their respective benches. Westbrook, who was fuming for a good reason, was taken away by LeBron James, who quickly compressed Westbrook’s head wound with a towel and walked him over to the bench to be further examined by the Lakers team doctors.

Once the situation calmed down, a Flagrant 2 foul was given the Collins, and a tech was given to Westbrook. Postgame, James commented on the altercation, saying;

“I saw where the cut was immediately. It was just common sense to put pressure on the cut right away. Don’t let it continue to go. Before we became teammates, we’ve always been like brothers and cool and things of that nature. His health is more important than the game of basketball. We were just trying to stop that and let the training staff do their job after we got him over to the bench.”

Miami center Bam Adebayo has had a quiet yet phenomenal stretch over the Heat’s last six games averaging 25.5 points per game and 10.2 rebounds on 52 percent shooting from the field. However, in Adebayo’s last two games, he has scored over 30 points and has been a key contributor toward the end of games on both the defensive and offensive sides.

The Heat are currently on a three-game win streak led by Adebayo’s diverse and consistent play, and the team looks to carry that momentum into their Wednesday matchup with the 2022 Eastern Conference Champion Celtics. 

QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND:

Ja Morant’s father asked for his son’s jersey for the first time in Morant’s career. Morant stated that it was “special” for him to get a triple-double in the Garden and that it was a place that he always had a special feeling for.

Morant admitted after Sunday’s game that MSG was special for him to have a triple-double since it was a place he watched in so many games on television as a kid — which was why his father made the unusual request for his jersey.

“It’s just the bright lights, man,” Morant told ESPN post-game. “Having a triple-double in the Garden is crazy. Growing up actually watching teams come here and play, watching the Knicks play — everybody loves the Garden. We really called it the bright lights. Everybody is watching. So for me to be able to go out and play like I played tonight was big-time for me.”

The post ICYMI: We Got You Covered With Thanksgiving Weekend News appeared first on SLAM.

However, as the Grizzlies prepare to take on the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M, the team listed their All-Star point guard as questionable via NBC Sports. A potential return to the court after missing only one game against the Brooklyn Nets is definitely possible.

For the Grizzlies, there’s no better time to get Morant back than now. The Kings are on a six-game winning streak, and with Memphis still without Desmond Bane, it’s going to take a little more from this team to come out with a win. Bane was averaging 24.7 points with an impressive shooting percentage from three at 45.1 percent.

On the season, the Grizzlies are 10-7, which is good enough for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. These next two games will be important because Memphis has a chance to overtake the fifth seed from Sacramento (9-6). A win on Tuesday for the Grizzlies and a win on Friday versus the New Orleans Pelicans (10-7) will put them in a prime position to do so.

The post Ja Morant Set to Return From His Ankle Injury Sooner Than Expected appeared first on SLAM.

The @memgrizz announced the following medical update. pic.twitter.com/DfuU5SEULL

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) November 15, 2022

Bane has been dealing with the injury since Nov. 11, when Memphis beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 102-92. Bane dropped 24 points, three rebounds, and five assists on 7-16 shooting from the field and 2-7 shooting from beyond the arc in 33 minutes.

des bane wit the dot cause he aim different pic.twitter.com/TVd9YjqCMM

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) November 12, 2022

Bane is averaging 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game on 46.5 percent shooting from the field and 45.1 percent from downtown. Memphis (9-5) are fourth in the West and will look to improve their standings with a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans (7-6) on Tuesday.

The post Desmond Bane Set to Miss 2-3 Weeks Due to Sprained Big Toe appeared first on SLAM.

Bane has dropped back-to-back thirty-point games, tallying 31 points (and six rebounds and four assists) against the Kings and 38 points (and seven assists) against the Nets. In his past two games, the TCU product has shot 73.9 percent from three.

“Shots are falling,” Bane said, per ESPN. “Early on, I was getting similar looks, and now I kind of got my legs under me, and (now) they’re falling.”

Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins described Bane’s “great two-game performance.”

“He’s been playing great all season — I think his defense was really good as well — When he’s in that zone, he’s hard to stop.”

In his third season with the Grizzlies, Bane is averaging 22.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.6 assists on 46.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Last season, the guard averaged 18.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists during his second year in the League. Bane continues to grow into a lethal two-way player, keeping the Grizzlies rolling and putting the League on notice.

“Back-to-back performances show you how good he is,” Morant said. “I don’t feel like I’ve got to say it when you can see it.”

Bane looks to go back-to-back-to-back as the 3-1 Grizzlies take on the 4-1 Jazz tomorrow night.

The post Ja Morant: Back-to-Back 30-Point Outings ‘Show How Good’ Desmond Bane Is appeared first on SLAM.

Morant doesn’t remind Durant of any other player.

“He’s a unique player. A lot of athleticism and creativity out there. Body type reminds you of somebody like—well, he’s taller than A.I. [Allen Iverson], but a wiry, strong player — but he’s an incredible player, man,” Durant said per Bleacher Report.

The Murray State product lived up to Durant’s pregame praise with 38 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in a 134-124 Memphis win. Morant, Durant, Desmond Bane, and Kyrie Irving combined to score 150 points on 62 percent shooting from the field.

At just 23-years-old, Morant has the rest of the NBA on watch.

A 2022 All-Star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player, the guard led the Grizzlies to second in the Western Conference last season. Morant has averaged 35.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 4.3 rebounds this season while leading the Grizzlies to a 3-1 start. Memphis ousted the Nets, Houston Rockets, and New York Knicks but fell to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Durant’s teammate Ben Simmons spoke on 12 before their Monday night match-up. The duel between Simmons and Morant ended late in the fourth quarter after the 2022 All-Star baited Simmons into fouling out as the Grizzlies inbounded the ball.

“He is an incredible athlete — He pushes the pace, gets his team going, shares the ball. He’s relentless at the rim.”

The Morant magic continues Thursday Night versus the Sacramento Kings.

The post Kevin Durant Calls Ja Morant ‘The Face of Our League Going Forward’ appeared first on SLAM.

Clarke has carved out an excellent role coming off the Grizzles’ bench. Over the course of three NBA seasons, Clarke has averaged 10.9 points per game for his career. The stat that jumps out at you when looking at Clarke’s game is that he’s shooting 59.1 percent from the field for his career. This past season alone, Clarke shot a career-best 64.4 percent from the field for the entire season.

Another reason for the extension is that Clarke has been ranked in the top five in several categories, like second-chance points, points in the paints, and offensive rebounds. Because of things like this, Clarke has been critical in the Grizzle’s emerging as a powerhouse team within the Western Conference.

With such a talented young core of players like Clarke, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Desmond Bane, the Grizzles have a real shot at being a top-seeded team in the Western Conference. The sky truly does seem like the limit for this squad, and with tip-off around the corner, anybody who is a basketball fan should be excited about what is to come.

Photos via Getty Images.

The post REPORT: Brandon Clarke and Memphis Agree on a Four-Year Extension appeared first on SLAM.

Although the Nets have yet to gain traction on a trade, new suitors have emerged in the KD sweepstakes. The Celtics, Raptors, and Heat are the biggest threat to land the 12-time All-Star, but Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Nets, and those three front-runners, haven’t been having any conversations lately.

Charania reported that the 76ers expressed their interest in acquiring Durant while the Bucks and Nuggets reached out in June and inquired again in July to determine Brooklyn’s asking price. That asking price is still an All-Star, other high-level players, and draft picks to this day. When the Pelicans inquired with the Nets in June, they reportedly told Brooklyn that Brandon Ingram was untouchable, per Charania. Atlanta reportedly offered John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, and a draft pick.

Because of that high price tag, suitors like Toronto possibly pulled out after refusing to make Scottie Barnes available. Boston made Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and a first-round pick available, but Brooklyn didn’t bite. According to Charania, Miami hasn’t offered a package built around Bam Adebayo.

The Memphis Grizzlies have reportedly become the newest trade suitor. Memphis could put together an attractive package surrounding their five first-round draft picks, four unprotected and one protected 2024 pick via Golden State, and young players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Zaire Williams, Brandon Clarke, Kennedy Chandler, and David Roddy.

Despite all the new traction in trade partners, Boston is still the premier front runner to acquire Durant. When Boston offered Brown, White, and a draft pick, Brooklyn countered by requesting Smart, more draft picks, and one more rotation player per Charania. While Boston has the assets to make something happen, there appears to be a reported gap in what the Celtics are willing to let go.

Brooklyn believes they have improved their roster after trading for Royce O’Neal, signing T.J. Warren, and re-signing Patty Mills and Nic Claxton while expecting the healthy returns of Ben Simmons and Joe Harris. Kyrie Irving is set to return as well after signing his player option. According to Charania, Irving has been working out with teammates and held a constructive dialogue with the Nets this offseason.

With four years remaining on Durant’s current deal, Brooklyn has no incentive to move the four-time scoring champ. Entering his age 34 season, Durant is less likely to sit out a season and has already dismissed rumors that he would rather retire than play for Brooklyn again.

The post REPORT: New Suitors Emerge in the Kevin Durant Sweepstakes appeared first on SLAM.

One question that Green was asked was what player he thought reminded him the most of himself. The four-time champ gave a unique and unexpected answer, revealing that he thought the reigning Most Improved Player of the Year award winner Ja Morant resembled him the most. Not necessarily because of how Morant plays, but Morant’s approach towards the game and how he leads his teammates.

“I’m going to have to go with, in a much different way, Ja Morant,” he said. “I ain’t bowing down to none of y’all. I don’t care what you’ve accomplished before I got here. That has absolutely nothing to do with me. I believe in myself and my abilities. I’m going to show you that. I’m going to lead. I’m going to talk to you and let you know about it while I’m doing it. I’m gonna carry others with me, and most importantly, I’m gone do it my way. And all of those things that I just named, I see Ja Morant do.”

Which younger player reminds @Money23Green most of himself?

We were not expecting this answer… pic.twitter.com/0EvEWlIUhx

— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) August 11, 2022

When Green elaborated more about his stance, he admitted that he’s “nowhere near the same player” that the electric Morant is. Morant has already developed a reputation for his downhill attack-the-rim style and “he got that dog in him” mentality. Last playoffs, Green and the Warriors witnessed it first hand when they played the Grizzlies in the second-round of the conference playoffs.

The Grizzlies ultimately lost the series in six games; the tide turned when Morant suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss the final three games of the playoffs. The rivalry between the two franchises has gotten more intense and physical as each game went on. This summer, Green and Morant had a back and forth Twitter exchange where Morant challenged he Warriors to a Christmas day game.

The post Draymond Green Believes Ja Morant Reminds Him Most of Himself appeared first on SLAM.

12 is simply different.

(via @memgrizz) pic.twitter.com/NII8jKnYes

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) April 27, 2022

When Morant’s teammate, Desmond Bane, was asked about Morant and his human “highlight reel” moments on an Old Man and the Three podcast episode released on Thursday, Bane said he and the Grizzlies have come to expect these moments from 12.

“At this point, it’s becoming routine.” Bane said. “We play Ja’s on a highlight reel somewhere.”

“It’s not fair to say that it’s normal because it’s definitely not. But we see it so much it’s just like — that’s Ja. That’s who we know Ja as, and then when we go on the road, and you hear the ohs and ahs, and you see the way these other players talk about him, you really get an appreciation for how special he really is. There’s nobody in the League that’s doing stuff like him. He’s like a mix of like healthy Derrick Rose and AI; he’s one of his own.”

“At this point, it’s becoming routine. We play, Ja’s on a highlight reel somewhere.” —@DBane0625 on being teammates with a human highlight reel like @JaMorant

Full conversation with @jj_redick and @talter: https://t.co/n4IX6hJjqg pic.twitter.com/I1aIfe7Ocr

— TheOldMan&TheThree (@OldManAndThree) July 7, 2022

That’s a lot of high praise from Bane, and you could sit there and ask, “well, that’s his teammate. What else is he supposed to say?”

Let’s be honest here, though, Morant has evolved and grown his game through three seasons. Not only did he win the MIP, but he also earned his first All-Star nod after leading Memphis to the second-best record in the West at 56-26. Memphis ultimately lost 4-2 to the eventual-champion Warriors in the second round of the postseason. Last week, the Grizzlies awarded Morant’s efforts with a max extension.

Morant averaged a career-best 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on 49.3 percent shooting from the field and 34.4 percent from deep last season.

The post Desmond Bane Speaks On Playing With Human ‘Highlight Reel’ Ja Morant appeared first on SLAM.

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant has agreed on a five-year, $193M designated rookie maximum extension that could become worth $231M, his agent Jim Tanner of @_TandemSE tells ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2022

After four seasons, Morant has emerged as a certified superstar after winning Most Improved Player of the year, earning his first All-Star bid, and being named to the All-NBA Second Team. Morant also averaged 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game while leading Memphis to a 56-26 record, good for second place in the Western Conference. Morant led the Grizzlies to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs before Memphis fell to the eventual champion Golden State Warriors in six games.

“Over the past three seasons, Ja has truly emerged as an NBA superstar and must-see TV,” Jim Tanner, Morant’s agent, told ESPN. “From Rookie of the Year to NBA All-Star starter, to All-NBA Second Team and Most Improved Player, we are incredibly proud of him for his dedication to improving his game and developing into a team leader. The Grizzlies are a perfect fit for Ja. The organization and the city have embraced him.

“The sky is the limit for Ja both on and off the court, and we look forward to helping him continue to build his legacy in the league.”

Memphis is my home

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 1, 2022

Morant and the Grizzlies will look to take the next step as one of the youngest and hard-nosed teams in the League. Led by Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, this Grizzlies team could be a threat for many years to come. They even have a budding rivalry brewing with the 2022 champion Warriors. Morant and Draymond Green have gone back and forth on Twitter. Klay Thompson called Jackson out for some tweets he perceived as disrespectful.

damn pic.twitter.com/nU7WexVjN8

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 1, 2022

The young and hungry Grizzlies vs. the grizzled veteran Warriors could be the best NBA feud since the Kings and Lakers, Lakers and Spurs, or even Cavaliers and Pistson when LeBron James was coming up in the League as a young and upcoming threat to the NBA’s hierarchy.

The post REPORT: Ja Morant Locked in With Memphis After Signing Max Extension appeared first on SLAM.

Leading up to tonight’s festivities, we’re taking a look at the cant-miss prospects you should have on your radar. Let’s get it.

Bennedict Mathurin

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Bennedict Mathurin leads the next generation of Canadian hoopers.

A true shot-maker with the ability to score in the catch-and-shoot or off the dribble, Mathurin should be able to provide instant offense for a team at the next level. He scored 17.7 points per game on 45.0 percent shooting from the field, and 36.9 percent shooting from three and displayed the capability to take a game over at Arizona (look no further than his career-high 30 points against TCU in the second round of the NCCA Tournament).

In addition to his shooting prowess, Mathurin has a powerful first step when attacking the rim and has shown the physicality to destroy rims.

His efficiency as a long-range shooter is something teams across the League love. During his freshman season, Mathurin hit 41.8 percent of his three-point attempts as a spot-up shooter. When asked to do more during his sophomore campaign, Mathurin improved his accuracy despite jumping up to 6.1 shots per game (while also managing ball-handling and playmaking duties).

Mathurin also has an excellent in-between game and is reliable at the free-throw line, 78.9 percent as a sophomore. His maturation from a spot-up shooter to a dynamic three-level scorer makes him one of the most dangerous prospects in the draft. He’s also a willing rebounder with good size and strength, pulling down 5.6 boards per game last season.

The 2021-22 PAC-12 Player of the Year and consensus second-team All-American has earned comparisons to the likes of Jamal Crawford and Victor Oladipo with his length and ability to score off the dribble and in catch and shoot sets.

A product of the NBA Academy Latin America, Mathurin’s refined offensive game makes him a flat-out baller and a player who should be a productive scorer for years to come.

Keegan Murray

Improvement was the key to Keegan Murray’s college career at Iowa. Nearly every major statistical category of Murray’s game improved from year one to year two. His rebounding improved by over 3.5 boards per game; he transformed into a knockdown outside shooter, dished one more assist per game, and saw improved steal and block numbers. The result of this? A projected top-five pick with the tools to be a two-way star.

At 6’8, Murray’s a versatile defender with the length and mobility to guard nearly every position on the court. He averaged two blocks and a steal per game last season and used his leaping ability to contest shots at the rim. The Iowa native isn’t afraid to mix it up with big men on the boards, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game.

On offense, Murray is a scorer who can be productive without the ball in his hands. Between timely cuts to the basket and a robust pick-and-pop game, Murray knows how to contribute without demanding isolation or ball-dominant sets effectively. He’s comfortable in the post and is productive in the paint because of his superb shot selection (a career 54.3 percent from the field).

Murray didn’t shy away from the pressure of being a number one option for the Hawkeyes, recording 23.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 39.8 percent from three last season.

After averaging just 7.2 points per game as a freshman, Murray was a consensus first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and Big Ten Tournament MVP as a sophomore. He was also the winner of the Karl Malone Award, given annually to the nation’s top power forward.

Murray could be considered a strong wing player or even a small-ball center in the League. His versatility presents mismatch nightmares for opposing teams. The ability to serve as a solid defensive presence while scoring from all three levels on offense is a rare trait. A late bloomer who was unranked in high school, Murray’s enormous improvements and potential as a do-it-all contributor on both sides of the floor make him one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2022 draft class.

Dyson Daniels

An Australian guard with elite defense and passing? We know what you’re thinking. No, Dyson Daniels is not a Ben Simmons replica, but he certainly shares a similar skill set as the 2016 No. 1 overall pick.

Daniels is a crafty playmaker and high-IQ defender who played in the NBL1 and NBA Global Academy in Australia before joining the G League Ignite in 2021. In the G League, he displayed his skill as a reliable ball-handler and master in the pick-and-roll with the ability to hit the open man or make defenders pay with his patented floater, a move that’s become a go-to option for the 19-year-old.

Daniels averaged 11.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game when matching up against NBA-caliber talent last season. The 2018 FIBA Oceania U15 Gold Medalist emerged as a two-way threat with his 6-10 wingspan and solid frame. Excellent court vision and ability to be a disruptor on defense allowed Daniels to set himself apart from the rest as this year’s top G-League prospect.

Speaking of defense, Daniels recorded 1.9 steals in 2021-22 while showcasing the ability to lock up both traditional guards and larger wing players. His high basketball IQ serves him well on this end, as he knows when to switch and send help, but his one-on-one defense is what could make him a bag in the League. He sticks to his matchup, and because of his active hands and ability to slide his feet, he can be trusted on an island to put the clamps on.

The Australian only averaged 2.1 fouls per game last season, so he knows how to play defense without fouling. Daniels is also the first to dive on a loose ball and set the tone of the game, an invaluable asset not always shown on the stat sheet. Because of that mindset, Daniels contributed in ways you don’t see in the box score with his instincts, feel for the game, and hustle.

On offense, Daniels will have to boost his three-point shot (he shot 25.5 from three last season) to become an all-around threat, but he has the potential to turn into a spot-up shooter with his already much-improved jumper. He could potentially contribute immediately as a perimeter defender and facilitator as the two-way prospect teams desire in a top pick.

Ochai Agbaji

No prospect has improved over his four years in college more than Ochai Agbaji. He went from bench piece to regular starter to star player and has progressed at every point to find himself as a potentially coveted piece for an NBA team. 

It starts with his physical tools: Agbaji possesses a 6’10 wingspan and a 6’6 frame, making him an ideal wing defender for today’s NBA. Agbaji’s advanced defensive metrics suggest he is a wildly optimistic defender, something many NBA teams will find valuable. In his four years at Kansas, Agbaji hasn’t had a defensive plus/minus of less than 2.2. His vertical was measured at 39 inches at the combine, which will also serve him well in cutting situations and rebounding. 

Agbaji’s three-point shot has also steadily improved over his time in college, as he shot over 40% this past year, delivering several clutch moments throughout the college year. His most important moment was shooting 6/7 from three in the Final Four matchups against Villanova. He also went 7/12 from the field against Texas Tech at home and was a key performer in the Big 12 tournament championship going 3/6 from downtown, finishing with 16 points and seven boards.

When asked about staying for a fourth year in college, Agbaji opened up about his thought process.

“Sometimes you’ve gotta stay patient; sometimes it’s not going to be there right away, the first two years or first three years. But if you stay the course, things will come to fruition,” Agbaji said.

It seems as if staying one more year at Kansas helped his draft stock after testing the waters last year, which resulted in a consensus All-American year with a Big 12 & National championship at a blue blood program under an all-time great coach in Bill Self. The stars have aligned for him as the ideal “Three and D” prototype that teams demand after four years of steady improvement and being a late bloomer, which has been for the better.

Shaedon Sharpe:

Shaedon Sharpe technically hasn’t played since his senior year of high school, where he was the number one ranked player in the 2022 class until he reclassified to the 2021 class. Sharpe sat out the entire 2021-2022 college season, choosing to develop on-campus without playing a game; however, that hasn’t seemed to hurt his draft stock in any capacity. 

“My thought process as an athlete, as a basketball player, was really just getting better,” Sharpe said per Sporting News. “So I was just in the gym every day, working out. Really for me, whatever happened, I’d be ready for it.

“Like I said before, everything happens for a reason. So I really don’t regret [not] playing,” Sharpe said. “I mean, I’m working with NBA teams now. So I guess I did something right.”

According to Eric Bossi, the National Basketball Director of 247sports, “Sharpe is an explosive athlete with a nose for the rim.” Bossi also said Sharpe had developed his handle “tremendously,” which has allowed him to become a creative scorer and playmaker.

According to Bossi, Sharpe also has an “electric first step and his ability to get downhill, into the lane, and then finish around the rim.” Bossi also likes Sharpe’s length and ability to move well laterally and believes he “has all of the tools to develop into a player who is just as disruptive on the defensive end of the floor as he is on offense.”

Like Agbaji, his physical tools allow him to be a coveted prototype NBA wing that plays defense and can score at all three levels. His explosive athleticism will keep him a step ahead of everyone else in the League, much of that credit going to his above-average first step. If he can just control the ball-handling a little bit more and prove to be healthy, he could be THE steal of the draft.

The post 2022 NBA Draft Preview: Can’t-Miss Prospects appeared first on SLAM.

The clutch win helps complete the Warriors’ revamp from missing the playoffs to regaining their luster this season. The season could be considered a success just because Thompson finally played his first game since losing nearly three years of his career due to a torn ACL and Achilles tear he suffered in back-to-back seasons.

“I knew it became routine in the 2010s for the Dubs, but that’s a special special opportunity. We do not take that lightly; we’re gonna keep our feet up the next couple days. Watch this Suns-Mavs Game 7. Get the popcorn ready. But it’s just—it’s so special; I’m gonna enjoy it tonight, and I’m going to be hungry when that time comes cause you can’t take it for granted. Nothing is guaranteed in sports.

Game 6 Klay ain’t nuthin’ to mess with.

30 PTS | 8-14 3PM | 3 BLK pic.twitter.com/yaHS1j59LR

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 14, 2022

Out of Thompson’s eight three-pointers, none seemed to feel more satisfying than the 28-footer he hit to give the Warriors a 13-point lead with just under three minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Just one minute later, Stephen Curry hit a triple from the left corner to increase the lead to 16. The back-to-back daggers capped off a 32-point fourth quarter to escape with a WCF berth.

“Today, I was thinking about the last couple years and what this team has been through, and to have another closeout game at Chase Center, it gave me butterflies. I was nervous all day, but I was just having so much fun tonight, and I’m proud of this team for being so resilient.

Built for Game 6. (via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/HQ4RmPyRIl

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 14, 2022

The setup going into the pivotal final frame was the Warriors nearly giving away the game due to some poor decision-making (22 turnovers) and tough shot-making from Desmond Bane (25 points, seven rebounds) and Dillon Brooks (30 points). Their performances were matched by Andrew Wiggins, who finished Game 6 with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Draymond Green contributed 14 points, 15 boards, and eight dimes.

The solution to the Warriors’ messy play was a monumental fourth-quarter effort where they outpaced the Grizzlies with a 10-0 run to give the Dubs a 97-89 lead at the 5:04 mark. The lead ballooned to as much as 16 after Curry nailed a stepback J late in the fourth quarter, sending San Franciso into a frenzy, while Memphis took a punch to the chin that ended their memorable season and launched them back into the limelight.

Golden State will have four days to enjoy their win, and they will face the winner of the Phoenix-Dallas series next week.

The post Game 6 Klay Thompson Leads Warriors to Conference Finals appeared first on SLAM.

The Grizzlies were led by Desmond Bane, Tyus Jones, and Jaren Jackson Jr., who each scored 21 points apiece to avoid elimination and force Game 6 in San Francisco.

Memphis never trailed in Game 5, leading by as much as 55 points while shooting 47.5 percent from the field, 43.9 percent from beyond the arc, and manhandled the Warriors inside to the tune of 55 rebounds and 50 points in the paint. The Grizzlies scored a franchise-record 77 points in the first half, their 52-point lead going into the fourth quarter tied for the largest deficit in a playoff game in the past 70 years.

The Grizzlies also forced the Warriors into 22 turnovers

Unicorn. pic.twitter.com/PHKtId2kPC

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

“We knew what was at stake,” Jackson said per ESPN. “We didn’t change anything, though. We just calmed down, looked at the film, understand what we had to take away from the last game, and just went out there and executed.”

The big-time Game 5 win was thanks to Memphis going back to what helped them become the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, sheer dominance on the boards, forcing turnovers, and reliable bench scoring.

Bane with the and-1. pic.twitter.com/o5QwdEzlE4

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

The Grizzlies got back to doing the things that helped them post the second-best record during the regular season. They outrebounded Golden State and dominated on the offensive boards. They forced turnovers and got their best production from the bench of this series. The Grizzlies finished the night with a 52-35 edge and held Jordan Poole, who outpaced the Grizzlies in the first games of the series, to just eight points and three assists.

Memphis entered the second quarter with a 35-28 lead and left the second half with a 77-50 lead after unleashing a 20-4 run, including 14 straight, to outscore the Warriors 39-22 in the second frame. Out of halftime, the onslaught continued with the Grizzlies opening the second half with a 20-6 outburst that all but ended any hopes of Golden State making a comeback.

Tyus Jones three ball after the warriors turnover. pic.twitter.com/mKCun7FD4f

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

The Memphis faithful celebrated while chanting their signature rallying cry, “Whoop That Trick! Whoop That Trick”, which drew a laugh from Stephen Curry (14 points, four assists, three rebounds), who infamously said the Warrior’s game plan for Game 5 was “Whoop That Trick” earlier on the Wednesday edition of NBA Today.

“Obviously, this was a very impressive win for our group, great bounce-back for sure,”  Memphis Coach Taylor Jenkins said.

Watch JA after this play. pic.twitter.com/PG2rom1urJ

— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 12, 2022

The Warriors will look to close the series out on Friday in San Francisco. The Dubs have won five straight playoff games at home, including their last seven overall.

The post Jaren Jackson Jr. On Memphis’ Dominant Game 5 Win: ‘We Knew What Was At Stake’ appeared first on SLAM.

And yet, back in December Ja had made it clear via Twitter who he felt was deserving of the award: Desmond Bane.

On Monday night, the SLAM 238 co-cover star posted on his Instagram story that he gave the award to Bane and left it in his kitchen.

“You deserve it killa!” he wrote in his caption.

Bane has improved across the stat sheet in his second year and is averaging 18.2 points and 4.4 rebounds. When Morant was out with a tweaked knee last month, he stepped up and averaged around 25.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in three games. He dropped 34 points in a Game 4 loss to the Timberwolves.

The Grizzlies are currently tied with Minnesota 2-2 going into Game 5.

The post Ja Morant Wins 2022 Most Improved—and Gives Award to Desmond Bane appeared first on SLAM.

While Ja Morant (16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) will deservedly receive most of the attention for the Grizzles’ Game 3 comeback due to his triple-double performance, his backcourt mate Desmond Bane deserves some credit too, after being a major cog in Memphis’ comeback bid thanks to his timely long-range shooting.

Memphis started the game down 12-0 and found themselves down 26 points in the first half and 25 in the second before going on significant runs to get back in the game before halftime and snatch a 2-1 series lead in the second half.

The Timberwolves really blew TWO 25-point leads pic.twitter.com/pWyR5D61M3

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 22, 2022

The triumphant comeback began with the hot shooting of Bane, who scored a game-high 26 points (7-15 from beyond the arc) and grabbed six rebounds.

Desmond Bane led the @memgrizz in scoring while draining 7 three-pointers to lead #GrindCity to the 26 point comeback victory!@DBane0625: 26 PTS, 6 REB, 7 3PM

MEM vs. MIN Game 4: Sat. 10pm/et on ESPN#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/JbK9397lY9

— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2022

Then after D’Angelo Russell hit a three-pointer to put Minnesota up 79-54 in the third quarter, Bane helped his team erase a 25-point lead with a massive 23-4 run to tie the game at 83-83, capped off by a three-pointer with 8:30 left in the game. This fourth-quarter dagger in the corner effectively put the game away as Memphis outscored Minnesota 37-12 in the final frame to match the fourth-largest comeback in NBA playoff history.

THAT CATCH AND SHOOT BADGE GO CRAZY pic.twitter.com/YMwC2IEipt

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) April 22, 2022

After the dust settled, Bane was proud of his teammates for staying composed to clinch an emotional Game 3 victory.

“Everybody stayed with it, stayed resilient throughout the whole entire game; it’s an emotional victory — coming from being down a lot,” Bane said per Yahoo Sports.

“We’ve got to keep our heads; it’s first to four.”

Game 4 of the Grizzlies-Timberwolves series takes place on Saturday.

The post Desmond Bane Powers Memphis Comeback Bid to Beat Timberwolves appeared first on SLAM.

In many ways, it’s indicative of the competitive culture this Grizzlies team has embraced. “Get better every single day,” Jenkins says, when asked to summarize his system. “Simple as that. We know our goal is to just find our best version. I’m repetitive because I don’t want them to be thinking anything other than, Hey, there’s going to be this marker that people are going to talk about. We are really trying to find our best selves defensively, offensively, spirit-wise, all that just gets better every single day.”

Even though the season isn’t quite over yet, the Grizzlies indulging in some fun feels appropriate. One season ago, Memphis was fighting to finish anywhere above .500 and make the play-in game. This season, as the second-youngest team in the NBA, the Grizzlies finished 56-26, the second-best record in the League and tied for the most wins in franchise history. The Grizzlies are the first team in the history of the NBA to lead the League in rebounds, blocks and steals, and have contributors firmly in the conversations for MVP, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player.

SLAM 238 featuring the Memphis Grizzlies is available now.

A little over a year ago, Ja Morant was on the cover of SLAM fronting a story about how the Grizzlies seemed poised to go from rebuilding to contending. Well, that future is right now. These Grizzlies have proven that a youth movement in modern sports can be a good thing, maybe even a great thing. 

The crazy part is how it almost didn’t even turn out this way. The Grizzlies began this season 9-10 and had the worst defense in the NBA. And then, just when you thought things looked dim, in the final game of that opening stretch, Morant went out with a non-contact knee injury. Things went from dim to dimmer.

While Morant avoided serious injury, he did miss a few weeks, and the Grizzlies promptly won 10 of their next 11. Ever since then, the Grizzlies have pulled off a dazzling transformation, morphing into a top-five team on both defense and offense. How did this happen? If it was easy to figure out, everyone would be able to do it. But a franchise that won only 22 games five seasons ago has turned into a victory machine. Winning time? Right now, that’s in Memphis, mane.

A few minutes after Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke is crowned the Simon Says champ, Jaren Jackson Jr sprawls on a couch near the locker room. Jackson, in his fourth NBA season, is still just 22 years old, a few weeks younger than Morant. Jackson Jr or “Trip” as he is known among his teammates, has embraced the nickname “Block Panther,” emerging as the interior defensive stopper who allows his teammates on the perimeter to swipe at loose balls and overplay passing lanes. Besides leading the NBA in blocked shots, he’s also second on the Grizz in three-point attempts, making him a prototypical modern big in today’s NBA.

“The culture here is crazy,” Trip says. “We don’t know how important it is, because we just do it naturally. It’s just ironic that we all kind of hang out and do the same stuff, enjoy the same stuff. We just ride with it. But it obviously helps—it helps us win, it helps us communicate, it helps us understand each other better off the court. It’s just a big deal for us. We love it.

“We just kick it with each other. We go out to eat, we hang out, we go to each other’s rooms on the road, we go play video games—we just chill.”

Perhaps no Grizzlies player is more chill than Dillon Brooks, who always arrives for press conferences wearing sunglasses and speaks in a whisper. Yet on the floor, he plays with ferocity, particularly on the defensive end, a clear throwback to the Grizzlies’ grit-and-grind heritage. (“I’m trying to smile more so I don’t get too upset out there and they start teeing me up again,” Brooks recently joked.) In his fifth season in Memphis, Brooks is the longest-tenured Grizzlies player, and also the their second leading scorer this season, at 18.4 ppg. Still, his relentless defense-first mindset seems to set the tone for much of what the Grizzlies do.

Brooks cites improved team defense as a reason for the Grizzlies’ current success. “Play physical,” he says. “Make the refs call every single foul and see if they can do it. Slide our feet from one to 12. We are contesting at the rim, and we are doing it as a team. Playing team defense, communicating, talking. It is really good to see us get out and run and do what we are good at. That is what we have to bring to the playoffs.”

Morant sees a major difference between this year’s team and last season’s squad: “Attention to detail,” he says. “I feel like we’re way more locked in. No matter what goes on during the game, if we’re missing some shots we move on. And I feel like last year we had times where we missed coverages, where we talked about it for two days, and teams made us pay for that. And I feel like now we’re very locked in and feel like everybody is just locked down on the defensive end and knowing we can score the basketball.”

Morant began this season with a flurry of ninja emojis on everything he tweeted, using the phrase, “Welcome to the dark.” Morant eventually provided some context, noting that the work done in the dark is eventually seen in the light. And then he welcomed the rest of the NBA into the darkness. 

Morant finished his third season averaging 27.4 points per game, and despite being listed at just 6-3, he led the NBA in points scored in the paint. There were literally dozens of highlights along the way, from Ja scoring 52 in a game (prompting an online MVP endorsement from Allen Iverson) to dunks over bigs and gravity-defying blocked shots to hitting the griddy on the way back to the locker room after every win.

Along the way, Ja turned his Twitter account into a personal bully pulpit, campaigning for Jackson Jr to win Defensive Player of the Year, for Desmond Bane to win Most Improved, for Jenkins to win Coach of the Year.

While the Grizzlies have had explosive performances from a variety of players this season—eight different players have been a game’s leading scorer this season—perhaps nobody has been more consistent than Bane, the second-year guard.

Projected as a spot-up shooter when the Grizzlies drafted him out of TCU, Bane has developed into a dynamic all-around guard, able to score off the dribble, run the offense as a secondary ballhandler and still shoot the lights out—as Jackson Jr said after a recent game, “Des is, you know, all hail Des.” Over the Grizzlies’ last 17 games, Bane led the team in scoring eight times and along the way set a franchise record for made threes in a season. 

“Coach always talks about the energy and the ball,” Bane says. “Guys tend to shoot it better as long as you just keep moving the ball. We stay consistent with our work habits and our approach. Shots are going to find a way.”

The roster that Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman and his basketball operations staff has assembled is filled with a“bunch of hoopers,” as the players like to say. Memphis finishing with the second-best record in the NBA wasn’t just because of the four guys you see on the cover of this magazine—it’s taken major contributions from guys like Steven Adams, who set a franchise record for offensive rebounds in a season. It’s been guys like Tyus Jones, who led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio. Some nights it’s been rookie Ziaire Williams, who started 30 games this season and developed into a crucial rotation player. It’s been Kyle Anderson, who gives Jenkins incredible versatility in the lineups. It’s been Brandon Clarke, who is not only apparently great at Simon Says, but has been on the finishing end of many highlights this season. It’s been DeAnthony Melton, known as “Mr. Do-Something” for his uncanny ability to make impact plays on both ends of the court. It’s been John Konchar, Killian Tillie and Xavier Tillman Sr. Even two-way players like Santi Aldama have had memorable moments this season. 

“We have a squad,” Brooks says, “so you may not get to see those guys play a lot, but they exceed. It is special to see, and we are going to need that all year. You never know what is going to happen with injuries or COVID. Teams know when they play us, no matter who is on the floor, guys are ready to play.”

“The phrase we keep talking about,” says Jenkins, “is Everybody Eats. When you’re playing with that rhythm, that just inherently creates confidence amongst all five guys out there. It becomes infectious. It doesn’t matter when we sub guys, they just kind of pick up where that first group left off.”

For the Grizzlies, the strength of the wolf is the pack, and the strength of their pack is the wolf. Every player has embraced their role, and whenever their time comes, each player is ready to play. With so many young players destined to be in Memphis for a while, the future looks blindingly bright. But don’t overlook the present, either.

“We expect to win every game we play,” Jackson Jr says. “We don’t go in thinking that we’re down, even if we don’t have players playing. Because the way we’re taught to play, everybody knows how we’re supposed to play—move the ball, make defenses work. We like to tire teams out, run them, make them work on defense. We work so hard on defense. Everybody can play defense. If you play defense, you’re going to end up hooping.”

And somewhere on the journey, the Grizzlies figured out that playing with a little attitude was a good thing. Against the Lakers in January, Desmond Bane brushed against LeBron James, who pushed back and caused a momentary pile-up in the paint. As Bane stepped to the charity stripe, LeBron could be overheard on the broadcast telling the Grizzlies to stop talking ish. The Grizzlies would go on to beat the Lake Show, 127-119, for their ninth straight win. 

A few weeks later, after the Grizz drubbed the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on national television, Jaren Jackson Jr and Morant faced the media together. 

“We play with energy, we play with intensity,” Trip said. “We love that. That brings joy to us. That back and forth, that’s just what we like, so, if you want to play that game, we can play that game. It’s cool. It’s all in between the lines. It’s never personal. I don’t care who I’m talking to, it’s just a person, and I’m just going to say what I feel, and I’m going to do what I feel, too.”

And then Morant sat up in his chair, and with a smile, summarized the Grizzlies way, for a team and a city that has been overlooked for far too long: “Ain’t no runnin’ in the M, man. We climb up the chimney.”

“Yeah, for sure,” agreed Trip.

“We gonna let everybody know that we’re here,” continued Morant. “We’re gonna play hard, trying to get a win.

“And if you don’t like it?” Morant asked rhetorically.

“Oh well.”

SLAM 238 is available now in these Gold and Black Metal Editions, as well as a Cover Tee. Shop now.

Portraits by Atiba Jefferson.

The post The Memphis Grizzlies Defied Expectations This Season—But This is Only the Beginning appeared first on SLAM.

The Grizzlies have gone 7-0 since Morant suffered a tweaked knee injuries, beating formidable opponents such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and the Brooklyn Nets. In that seven-game span, Memphis has scored 124.4 points per game, which would rank first in the NBA by almost ten whole points.

What makes this even more impressive is that the Grizzlies have held opponents to 106.1 points per game in that same span, which would rank sixth in the League.

Some stars of the show? Desmond Bane, who has averaged 22.5 points and shot 58.5 percent from deep, was huge for Memphis earlier in the run, though he sat out the last game due to left ankle soreness. Dillon Brooks churned out 30 points in Friday’s victory over the Phoenix Suns, who own the best record in the NBA. De’Anthony Melton has nearly doubled his season average of points per game (10.8), with 19.4 points scored in this span.

However, It’s been a total team effort, as 10 players have scored in the double-digits multiple times in this seven-game window. This young Grizzlies team has a chance to make history down the stretch with their team one win shy away from matching the franchise-best 56 wins they had during the 2012-2013 campaign.

Sitting one game back of the franchise’s 56 win-mark as the all-time high,

Memphis plays Utah tomorrow, Denver Thursday, the Pelicans Saturday, and Boston Sunday.

The post Memphis Grizzles Win Seven Straight Down the Stretch appeared first on SLAM.

In the three games Memphis has played since Morant went down, Bane has averaged around 25.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game while shooting a ridiculous 60.8 percent from downtown on 7.6 triples attempted per game. This shooting prowess is nothing new, as he’s 10th in the League in three-pointers made this season with 209.

He’s scored 20+ in eight of the last 10 games and shows no signs of slowing down. Bane’s per-game scoring average has doubled in his sophomore year, improving from 9.2 points per game in his rookie year to 18.2 points per game this season.

Fresh off of a playoff-clinching victory over the Indiana Pacers off the back of Bane’s 30 points, the Grizzlies will defend FedExForum against the Milwaukee Bucks tomorrow at 8 PM EST.

The post Desmond Bane and the Grizzlies Flourishing in the Absence of Ja Morant appeared first on SLAM.

Despite Towns’ 41 percent shooting from distance this season and 39.6 percent career average, he was considered a long shot to win. Even with the number of long-distance shots KAT attempted this season, no one counted on the Wolves center in the shoot-out. 

First Round:

The early favorites going into the competition were Trae Young, Patty Mills, and Desmond Bane.

The #MtnDew3PT contest field is stacked!

It’ll be raining triples tonight in Cleveland… tune in at 8:00pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/aL9t3nLRfV

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2022

Bane took himself out of the competition early by tallying 18 points. Then Luke Kennard set the bar for the first round dropping 28 points to put pressure on the rest of the field. Then Towns became the most significant threat for the title, surprising many by putting up 22 points of his own.

Young provided some drama of his own by almost getting eliminated in the first round. He had to finish the round with a flurry to slide past Patty Mills by one point to get into the second round with 22 points.

Final Round:

KAT was the first shooter in the finals, and the way he shot the ball, everyone in the arena, including Ice Trae and Kennard, knew the competition was over. He made history and put on a show while doing it.

Towns concluded the event in epic proportions, taking home the shoot-out trophy in historic fashion by putting up 29 points beating renowned shooters Kennard and Young. KAT’s score broke the record for most points scored in the final round previously held by Devin Booker, who scored 28 back in 2018. 

The reigning champ is not only the first center to ever win the event, but the first big man since Kevin Love in 2012 to take home the award.

Karl-Anthony Towns is a career 39.6% three-point shooter, and now he has the hardware to match

Check out some of the best three-pointers from the 2022 #MtnDew3PT Champion Karl-Anthony Towns! pic.twitter.com/sMouEd4Brz

— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2022

The post Karl-Anthony Towns Makes History In NBA All-Star Three-Point Shootout appeared first on SLAM.

The addition of four players from the NBA G League Ignite developmental team with a four-team draft set the stage for three entertaining basketball games. The winners had to get to 50 points in the first round and 25 points in the final round.

Team Worthy vs. Team Isiah (Game to 50):

This was probably one of the more exciting games of the night. Jalen Green sparked Team Worthy, who led everyone in the game in scoring, and the Orlando Magic connection, Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs.

Jalen Suggs Cole Anthony

Cole Anthony giving us a sample of his hops…see them on full display tomorrow in the #ATTSlamDunk contest! #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/z3jYsdceAg

— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 19, 2022

Team Isiah looked like they had things well in hand to go to the next round before Team Worthy went on a massive 15-4 run to put go ahead 40-39. Both teams were neck and neck up to a 48-48 tie.

Then the Cole Anthony effect happened.

With Jalen Suggs on the line to end the game, Anthony said something to Suggs, with the rookie out Gonzaga missing the subsequent free throw.

That left the door for Team Isiah to win the game with Desmond Bane at the line. Anthony had a conversation with him, too, and even pulled down his shorts to distract him! Only for Bane to hit both of his free throws to end things.

Cole Anthony really pulled down his shorts during Bane’s free throw pic.twitter.com/WLEIBQlfN4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2022

Team Isiah defeats Team Worthy 50-49.

Team Barry vs. Team Payton (Game to 50):

While the first game showed a ton of highlight dunks and flashy play, things were a little more structured in this one. Hall of Famer Rick Barry will probably be the only coach in an All-Star event that mandates set plays to start a game, while Gary Payton, also a Hall of Famer, hasn’t lost a bit of competitive fire, too say the least.

Gary Payton was trash talking the ref from the bench pic.twitter.com/RJ5t4gfEDL

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2022

For a while, it looked like Team Payton was off to win after a strong start by Timberwolves’ rookie Jaden McDaniels, but crowd favorite Mobley kept things close by dominating down low and getting easy baskets.

But when the Pistons’ number one overall pick, Cunningham, got warmed up, Team Barry’s offense started clicking with their ball movement, and the game turned around.

In a down to the wire affair like the previous first-round game, Team Barry was just disciplined enough to win thanks to two final baskets by Houston Rockets’ Jae’Shan Tate, including this game-winner!

Jae’Sean Tate takes it to the rack for the win!

Team Barry advances to the #CloroxRisingStars Final, where they’ll face Team Isiah following the #CloroxClutch Challenge on TNT. pic.twitter.com/UO4Twm2BJe

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2022

LaMelo Ball almost stole the pass and nearly ripped the ball from Tate in vain, but it was not enough.

Team Barry defeats Team Payton 50-48.

The Clorox Clutch Challenge!

Tyrese Haliburton and Bane were the only players to knock down five shots from positions of famous NBA Finals shots of the past to win the challenge.

Tyrese Haliburton and Desmond Bane finish in under 40 seconds to win the #CloroxClutch Challenge! pic.twitter.com/cuTNrmnciC

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2022

What most will remember from this event was Scottie Barnes continually missing the layup part of the competition.

Team Barry vs. Team Isiah (Game to 25):

Just like in the first game, Team Isiah opened up a lead over Team Barry thanks to Toronto Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa’s quick 13 points to get within shouting distance of the targeted 25 points.

Precious Achiuwa is on fire!

He’s up to 13 points in the #CloroxRisingStars final…Team Isiah is 7 points away from the winning Target Score of 25 on TNT. pic.twitter.com/pmc79M5bks

— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2022

But like in the first game, Team Isiah allowed a momentum-stealing run to enable their lead to evaporate. This time it cost them as tournament MVP Cade Cunningham took over, hitting huge shots to help Team Barry triumph over Team Isiah in the championship game with a 13-2 run.

Team Barry wins the tournament over Team Isiah 25-20.

The post Team Barry Wins A Newly Formatted 2022 NBA Rising Stars tournament appeared first on SLAM.

On Tuesday night, the NBA announced the eight players participating in the All-Star weekend three-point contest.

It’s a list of participants all seeking a first three-point contest championship, with most of the players participating in the event for the first time in their careers.

CJ McCollum and Zach LaVine are the veterans of the contest, with each having participated in two prior three-point contests. Trae Young is the only other player of the eight to have participated in a previous three-point contest, and this will be his second.

Karl Anthony-Towns, Fred VanVleet, LaVine, and Young, will also be playing in the All-Star Game the following night.

Patty Mills is the oldest player in the group at 33 years old, and there’s no question he can shoot the rock as a career 39.2 percent three-point shooter and is shooting 42.4 percent from distance so far this season. On the flip side, Desmond Bane – who is in his second NBA season – is the contest’s least experienced player but is shooting 42.1 percent from deep over his career.

Luke Kennard, though, maintains the highest three-point percentage of the eight players this season, knocking down 40.8 percent of his shots beyond the arc this season. Every player on the field is shooting better than 38 percent from three this season.

In addition to the three-point contest, the NBA also announced the dunk contest participants and skill challenge participants.

The NBA All-Star weekend begins on Friday, Feb. 18, with the three-point contest taking place on Saturday, Feb. 19, and the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 20.

The post NBA Announces Three-Point Contest Participants appeared first on SLAM.

The 6’5 guard out of TCU has made huge strides in his second year in his production. As of Wednesday, Bane averages 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while playing 30.2 minutes per game. Alongside All-Star Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the young core of Memphis has led the Grizzlies (35-18) to the third-best record in the Western Conference.

Banes’ rise in production comes courtesy of the motivation he’s found playing against the players drafted ahead of him in the 2020 draft. As he returns from a stint in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the Grizzlies will be playing an opponent with a player drafted ahead of the 23-year-old guard. Players such as Devin Vassell, Udoka Azubike, Deni Avdija, and Tyrese Maxey.

Against Maxey, Bane scored a career-high 34 points in a 122-119 loss to the 76ers on Monday.

“If there’s an opposing player on the court that got drafted before me, it’s a little motivation for sure,” Bane said, “And a lot of times, they’re not even on the court. They’re going through those dog days, trying to find their way into the rotation, or whatever the case may be.”

“I take it personal, for sure.”

Until Bane plays in the 2022 Rising Stars Challenge, Bane will be coming at the necks of teams and players that were picked ahead of him. Morant has advocated for Bane to win the League’s Most Improved Player award this season.

Desmond Bane https://t.co/mZGsuVDd1g

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) December 28, 2021

“Des can tell you. I always say, ‘Yeah, bro, you’re the goods,'” Morant told reporters back in December. “That’s just him. He’s a professional scorer, can shoot the ball with the best of them, can get downhill, can make plays for others. In this league, to have a guy [in his] second year do that is big time. He’s always asking questions, always watching film, always in the gym, and it’s showing.”

The Grizzlies are scheduled to play the New York Knicks in the Garden on Thursday.

The post Desmond Bane On His Motivation As A Late First-Round Draft Pick appeared first on SLAM.

One of the reasons the Grizzlies find themselves so far up the standings is the play of third-year point guard Ja Morant.

Morant has put up All-Star level numbers this year, and when speaking with Drew Hill from the Daily Memphian, he said he believes his season deserves some recognition.

“I deserve this. I earned this. I worked for this,” Morant said, “This is the way I wanted it. I didn’t want to be no alternate. I don’t want to be a spot-filler.”

Morant’s confidence in himself is well deserved when you look at his numbers. Through 36 games, Morant is putting up 25.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three.

Those numbers, along with the excellent play of teammates Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, and Jaren Jackson Jr., have catapulted the Grizzlies to the top half of the western conference. Currently, the Grizzlies sit third in the west with a record of 32-17, trailing only the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors.

Morant was second in votes for Western Conference guard with just over 2.6 million votes, trailing only Stephen Curry in the most recent return of All-Star fan voting.

The All-Star Game, which is taking place in Cleveland this year, is just under a month away, taking place on Sunday, Feb. 20. The starters for the All-Star Game will be announced later this week on Thursday, Jan. 27, with the rest of the roster being announced on Feb. 3.

The post Ja Morant on Potentially Being an All-Star: ‘I Deserve This. I Earned This’ appeared first on SLAM.

One factor that has helped Morant succeed as much as he has in the League is his confidence and swag. Morant is known for his aggressive playstyle, preferring to fearlessly attack the basket similarly to former MVPs and legends like Allen Iverson, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook.

“I don’t fear nobody, dawg. I don’t care if you 7’7″ or whatever. I’m coming straight at you.”

For example, In the Grizzles’ 110-106 victory over the Cavaliers, Morant scored six points in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead field goal that extended the Grizzlies’ win streak to six. Morant’s final tally for the night was a team-high 26 points, five rebounds, and dished out six assists.

On Tuesday, Morant admitted that he loves being the guy to take clutch shots, and as a point guard, knows his job is to make the right play, whether that’s him shooting or passing. Morant has posted 30.7 points and 6.2 assists during the Grizzlies’ six-game win streak. 

why should i be scared? we put on our shoes the same way . https://t.co/4f1W0sPIdt

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) January 5, 2022

“It was definitely tough to get to the rim against their big guys, but I made some big shots to close it out,” he also said, per ESPN. “It’s a good feeling, knowing everyone has the confidence that I can do it.”

Morant averages 25.1 points, 6.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game for the year while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from the three-point range. His points and steals per game are career-highs, as well as his shooting marks from the field and long-range. The fact Memphis is 25-14 thanks to Morant’s stellar play has led to Desmond Bane, his teammate, giving him high praise.

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“He’s special,” Bane said per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “People debate whether or not he should be an All-Star, but I think we should be debating whether he’s the best point guard in the League.”

“I don’t think it’s any question he’s an All-Star. The real conversation is, ‘Is he the best point guard in the league?'”

Bane is having a season worthy of praise himself, averaging 17.6 points per game on 46.7 percent shooting, 41.3 percent shooting from three, and 90.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

Morant’s stellar season has helped lift the Grizzlies into the top of a competitive Western Conference, currently fourth in the west with a record of 25-14.

The post ‘I Don’t Fear Nobody, Dawg’: Ja Morant Helps to Seal Grizzlies’ Win Over Cavs appeared first on SLAM.

The Lakers will be without superstar LeBron James for the second-straight game during Wednesday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to ESPN.

James sat out the Lakers’ win against the San Antonio Spurs after suffering an injury on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies when Desmond Bane fell into his right leg after making a layup, causing him to go to the floor.

The Lakers got another big injury scare after All-Star big Anthony Davis suffered a right knee injury in the fourth quarter against the Spurs. Davis was able to finish the final 32.2 seconds of the game, however, he has been listed as questionable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Thunder.

Both James and Davis missed substantial time last season—with James missing 26 games due to a high ankle pain, while Davis missed 36 games. Both players are pivotal to the Lakers’ championship hopes.

The post LeBron James Misses Second-Straight Game, Anthony Davis Listed as Questionable Against OKC appeared first on SLAM.

Heading into the 2020 NBA Draft, Desmond Bane stuck out like a sore thumb.

In an era where highly-touted high school recruits are unlikely to spend more than a year in college, if they even opt to go the collegiate route, Bane was an unranked recruit out of Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, IN. What’s more, while he would help turn the basketball program into a formidable Big 12 power, Bane played four seasons at Texas Christian University (TCU).

Projected to be a 22-year-old rookie, Bane would have no choice but to fight against the typical refrains.

Questions about his potential and his value when he would be three or four years older than many prospects.

However, seen as one of the most NBA-ready prospects entering the draft due to his intangibles and ability to shoot from distance, Bane fit a valuable 3-and-D wing archetype and was ultimately selected in the first round.

As he was surrounded by family and friends, the Memphis Grizzlies unearthed the hidden gem with the 30th overall pick, and Bane’s journey would take an unforgettable turn.

[Editor’s note: This interview has been condensed for clarity]

Q: What was your experience like jumping from college to the pros? What did you think heading into the draft and how was that situation for you? Especially with it being draft season, what do you think the prospects are doing with their families and trainers?

Bane: It was a stressful time. The draft kept getting pushed back and back. They kept saying we might have a Combine, we may not have a Combine. So it really was just, you know, no certainty throughout the whole process—us as prospects were kind of left in the dark on what was going on.

So I’m just trying to lock in. Stay focused. Keep controlling the stuff that I can control and working on the things that I can do to put myself in the best position whenever that time comes.

But it was crazy. It was crazy.

I lost a loved one through that time as well, so it was a really tough time for me going through that draft process. But, you know, for the guys this year, I’m happy that they’re able to get a true process. They get trainers, they get to do all those things at the Combine, get in front of teams at workouts and things like that. I’m glad they get a true draft process.

Q: When you were leaving TCU that you thought or that your coaches pointed out to you specifically—whether it was intangibles or on-the-court stuff—that would would be best as far as translating to the NBA, besides the shooting?

Bane: I mean, shooting was the main thing and my build, you know, my size. They thought that I was an NBA-ready guard given my size and my strength. But my shooting, yeah, they definitely thought that was something that would carry over to the next level.

Q: So did you expect to have so much success early? There was a time when rookies weren’t getting to much playing time—and you got drafted into a good situation where you’re on a young team—but did you expect to become such a fixture in the rotation and for it to come together so quickly?

Bane: I mean, I didn’t know!

I didn’t know what the draft was going to look like—it was about two weeks before training camp, so I knew I wasn’t going to get a real training camp and opportunity to really showcase what we could do, necessarily. So I didn’t know what to expect.

We had a few injuries early on so I ended up getting an opportunity pretty quickly, right out the gate and I just sort of ran with it.

Q: Did you have a welcome to the NBA moment? Like your first moment when you were like, “OK, this is a little bit different than college.”

Bane: Right! Bron! For sure! Bron!

I mean the first time that we played the Lakers. We played the Lakers about, I would say, five games, six games into the season, so it was still early on, I’m getting a feel for things. And we had played I think maybe one playoff team—one or two playoff teams—and, you know, they were coming off a championship and being hungry for another one.

I think that that was my real “Welcome to the NBA” moment.

There was stretches when I guarding LeBron and I was like man, “this dude is so damn big. Shit crazy.”

But yeah, you know, it was cool. It was cool.

Q: Speaking of LeBron, plenty of guys in your generation look up to Bron but who were the guys you were looking up to when you were growing up watching—whether they’re growing up or retired? Who were your idols as far as basketball—or even other sports?

Bane: Nah, I was a big D-Wade fan. I was an Indiana kid so Reggie Miller. Kobe [Bryant], of course. Like I said, Bron. But those were all the guys.

You know, Reggie was when I just a real little kid, real little kid. I remember all the good Pacers teams with him, Jamaal Tinsley, all and them dudes. Those are probably the dudes I looked up to the most.

Q: Is you being a shooter something about being Reggie Miller fan?

Bane: You know what I’m saying? It makes sense [laughs].

That was my young idol, you know what I’m saying? I’ll go out in the driveway and I’m either saying “Kobe!” or “Reggie!”

One of the two, you know what I’m saying? So it probably did have a little correlation.

Q: What’s it like playing in Memphis, as far as the city? I’ve been up to Tennessee a few times—Memphis a few times but what do you like about the area?

Bane: Bro! So the season was so crazy, I mean I haven’t even really got a chance to get out and about too much. You know, with us playing in the second half of the season, the longest break that we had in between games was one day.

So we’re either playing every other day or it’s a back-to-back. So you know when I was home, I was really at home. You know, just chillin’ and relaxin’ and trying to recover my body.

So now that the summer’s come along and it’s the offseason, I’m excited to get out there and out and about.

Memphis got some good food spots, now I can tell you that. They got some good food spots, they’re big into music out here and stuff like that but I’m a fan. I’m a fan.

You know, I come from a small town—not saying Memphis is a small town but where I live it’s kind of got that slow feel to it. So I’m kind of—I’m chillin’ in my backyard for real.

Just sitting in the backyard relaxing, enjoying the nice weather, watching my dogs run around. That’s my vibe.

Q: Have you been able to have that bonding experience with your teammates with you having so little time between games?

Bane: Of course, and I almost think that it helped, you know? The fact that we was together so much made us even closer ’cause that’s pretty much all we had from December ’til the beginning of June. So I think that made us really close and, I mean, they were already a close group before the rooks had got there but I think we gelled in real nicely.

Q: What’s the dynamic in the locker room like? Who was your vet in your rookie season?

Bane: Man, we had a few!

It was kind of weird because we don’t really have no just old, old dude that’s been around for a long time, you know what I’m saying? So it’s been a little bit of everybody I would say.

You know, Dillon Brooks is a guy that I look up to and talk to the most probably, but there was a few guys.

Ja, of course. Tim Frazier came along at the end, You know, a few guys.

Q: What is it about Dillon Brooks that made you click with him so much?

Bane: I mean, he’s a hard worker. He work hard. That’s what he do.

He was a second round pick and he made a name for himself and I think that means a lot to me coming from a place there was only 20 kids in my high school class and being underrecruited.

I think that’s where it comes from. That bond. Just being overlooked and proving the doubters wrong.

Q: What’s your relationship like with Ja then, ’cause I know he’s another guy with an underdog mentality coming from a mid-major?

Bane: That’s my dawg. That’s my dawg.

Me and him are real close being backcourt partners and it’s obviously extremely important for our camaraderie but having a guy like that, being able to grow with, who’s around the same age as me is huge for us on and off the court.

Fast-forward seven months from the 2020 NBA Draft and Bane has been named to the All-Rookie Second team, ranking first in 3-point percentage (among rookies to average at least 10.0 minutes per game); fifth in made threes (117); eighth in minutes played (1,519); ninth in draft class in total points (625), and in the top-15 of total rebounds (210) and assists (118), and steals (41).

For a small town kids with big dreams—for the underdog who feels overlooked—Bane’s story is an inspiration.

And there’s no person better suited to be a role model than a young man as dauntless as he is compassionate. As humble as he is driven,

“I want people to just understand who I am. Understand who I am not only as a player but, you know, as a person. I really want to be able to do events and things to give to people in the community. I also want to do things for people that are less fortunate.

As far as Nike deals and all that stuff, that stuff comes. It’s what you do on the basketball court. But the stuff that’s important to me is the stuff that I can reach out and do personally—and do hands-on—throughout the community and throughout different places around the country.”

While a deal with Playmaker, sports media and management company, helps Bane to amplify his voice but it’s his message that’s what’s most important.

“I was raised by my great-grandparents (Fabbie and Bob),” says Bane.

“So I want to say that I’m, you know, an old soul in that regard. And all the time, that’s all they really talked about—they preached to me early as a kid that it doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO or you’re the janitor, treat everybody with the same respect. And I think that’s huge to me.

Sometimes people are looked down upon because they don’t have such things in this messed up society, so, I want them to know that I notice them and they’re just as good as everybody else walking this earth.”

[Bane’s great-grandfather, Bob, passed away last July after contracting COVID-19.]

As his aunt, Nsisong Bimpeh, controls his marketing opportunities, setting up community efforts and organizing his day-to-day schedule, Bane has continued finding balance between being a family-oriented man of faith, a pillar of his communities and a professional athlete.

Preparing to suit up for the Nigerian national team this summer as they prepare for Olympic and FIBA play, Bane is busy. Nonetheless, that hasn’t deterred him from hosting basketball camps and community days this summer for underprivileged youth in Memphis and Richmond.

“It was a big emphasis of mine to be able to get in touch with the community this summer just because of COVID and everything throughout the year really hindered us from doing those things. Now that people are getting vaccinated and are able to get out and do some things now, I really want Memphis to know me and I want to get to know Memphis.”

The post Looking in the Rearview: Desmond Bane Talks NBA Draft, Rookie Season appeared first on SLAM.

Last week, Brown spoke to The Undefeated’s Marc J. Spears, stating his belief that the influx of NBA players of African descent has helped level the playing field, giving the Nigeria a realistic chance to win their first medal at the Olympic Games.

“There are more players of Nigerian descent in the NBA than probably any other country besides the U.S…the talent is there. It’s just about getting everybody organized and on the same page and getting everybody excited about playing and wanting to be a part. And so there are right around 10 or so guys in the NBA that are going to come and try out for the team. So looking forward to mixing some of that NBA talent with some very talented individuals that are playing professionally in Europe and abroad.”

According to Spears, forward Al-Farouq Aminu (Chicago Bulls), center Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings), guard Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), center Jahlil Okafor (Detroit Pistons) and forward Wes Iwundu (New Orleans Pelicans) are expected to join Morris and Anunoby. He adds that former NBA players Emeka Okafor, Festus Ezeli and Ben Uzoh could also join the roster.

Per Nigerian journalist Colin Udoh, guard Miye Oni and center Udoka Azubuike of the Utah Jazz; guard Gabe Vincent and forwards KZ Okpala and Precious Achiuwa of the Miami Heat; and Milwaukee Bucks forward Jordan Nwora will also join the list of 13 NBA players expected to comprise the Nigerian national team.

With the FIBA AfroBasket tournament quickly approaching as well, Brown may have to field two national teams for Nigeria to compete in the Olympics and AfroBasket, respectively.

If this is the case, expect wing Aaron Nesmith (Boston Celtics), forward Zeke Nnaji (Denver Nuggets), guard Desmond Bane (Memphis Grizzlies) and guard Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn Nets) to be in consideration for national team roster spots as well.

Morris, who’s nationality switch was made known officially in March, will join the team as a roster exemption and make his international debut with Nigeria.

In 47 games, the four-year pro has averaged 10.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting .479 percent from the field and .393 percent from 3-point range.

Anunoby is a player that Brown had on his radar since taking over as the Nigeria coach two years ago and seeing his name on the roster has brought excitement and energy to the Nigerian basketball program.

In 43 games, Anunoby showed flashes of why the Raptors consider him one of the cornerstones of their franchise with averages of 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.

Nigeria, which became the first African team to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics after the 2019 FIBA World Cup, will be in group B alongside Australia, and the winners of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia and Croatia from June 29 to July 4.

D’Tigers, who will also led by longtime team captain Ike Diogu, face Team USA’s men’s basketball team in the Olympics on July 10.

We meet again @usabasketball!

July 10
Nigeria vs. USA pic.twitter.com/yHzAB8Ev23

— D’Tigers | Nigeria Basketball (@NigeriaBasket) June 22, 2021

The post 13 NBA Players Have Been Named to Nigeria’s Preliminary Olympics Roster appeared first on SLAM.

We broke down the Grizzlies’ depth chart for the 2020-21 season below. We’ve also previously published a summary of the Grizzlies’ offseason.

Biggest Questions

• When will Jaren Jackson Jr. return from injury? He will certainly miss the first part of the season and will be severely missed. In a shortened 72-game season, every game counts.
• How much of a jump will Ja Morant make? It’s expected that guys make a sizable leap in production from year one to year two but especially for guys like Morant. The team will be as good as he is this season.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Memphis Grizzlies: Projected 2020-21 Depth Chart appeared first on SLAM.

While Jackson Jr. won’t be ready for the start of the season, Memphis should still be competitive without him. Even with how tough the Western Conference is, the Grizzlies will look to take a step forward and earn their spot in the playoffs.

Grizzlies Roster Additions

Biggest Acquisitions

• Desmond Bane: The Grizzlies were able to acquire Bane, who was the very last pick in theh 2020 NBA Draft. A four-year college player at TCU, he improved his numbers every single season. He will look to continue that trend in the NBA as he develops into a key piece of this young Memphis team.
• Mario Hezonja: As the former No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Hezonja has never turned into the player we thought he could be. However, as an experienced player who can play both of the forward spots while also being a solid three-point shooter, he was a great pickup for the Grizzlies.

Grizzlies Roster Subtractions

Biggest Losses

• Josh Jackson: After being taken No. 4 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Jackson could never get his career on the right track. Trying to jumpstart his career in Memphis, he showed some flashes last season, but won’t be spending a second season with the Grizzlies.
• Anthony Tolliver: As a veteran leader for the Grizzlies during the latter portion of the 2019-20 season, Tolliver showed why he still is earning contracts in the NBA. He converted on .415 of his three-pointers with Memphis, who really valued his ability to stretch the floor.

All NBA Team Offseason Summaries

The post Memphis Grizzlies: Offseason Summary 2020 appeared first on SLAM.

Kanter will head to Portland while Mario Hezonja and Desmond Bane (the 30th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft) head to Memphis. The Celtics will receive a future draft asset from the Grizzlies.

The move will knock over $5 million off of Boston’s payroll, additional financial flexibility that should come in handy in light of the revelation that Gordon Hayward will not exercise his 2020-21 player option with the team.

Kanter’s last stint in Portland was a productive one. After arriving in Oregon as a buyout season addition, the now-28-year-old averaged 13.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Kanter’s role in Boston was never as significant as it was in Portland or with the New York Knicks prior to his arrival and he found himself part of a platoon at the position. Now Kanter will backup Jusuf Nurkic on the Trail Blazers.

The post Blazers Acquire Enes Kanter in Three-Team Trade appeared first on SLAM.

For their efforts, the Celtics will receive a pair of second-round picks, Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reports.

More to come.

The post Grizzlies Acquire No. 30 Pick From Boston Celtics appeared first on SLAM.

Presented by Foot Locker’s 12 Days of Greatness

2020 NBA Draft

2020 NBA Draft Trades & Notes

The New York Knicks packaged picks No. 27 and No. 38, then sent them to the Utah Jazz for pick No. 23 (SLAM story)

The Milwaukee Bucks acquired pick No. 45 in exchange for a pair of future second rounders (SLAM story)

The Thunder pocketed pick No. 34 tonight, along with Al Horford and a future first in exchange for Danny Green and Terrance Ferguson (SLAM story)

The Pistons will now draft at No. 16 after acquiring the pick from the Rockets along with Trevor Ariza (SLAM story)

The Oklahoma City Thunder flip Ricky Rubio to the Minnesota Timberwolves to up to No. 17 (SLAM Story)

Landry Shamet and Luke Kennard on the move in three-team deal involving pick No. 19 (SLAM Story)

Knicks trade back two spots late in first round to add early second round pick (SLAM Story)

Nuggets give up future first round pick to Pelicans to acquire RJ Hampton (SLAM Story)

Pistons acquire Tony Bradley and pick No. 38 for cash considerations (SLAM Story)

Grizzlies acquire pick No. 30 from Celtics to acquire Desmond Bane (SLAM Story)

Sixers trade Josh Richardson and No. 36 pick to Mavericks for Seth Curry (Slam Story)

Thunder pick up No. 37 pick from Wizards to select Vit Krejci (SLAM Story)

Pelicans trade Pick No. 39 to Jazz who take Elijah Hughes (SLAM Story)

Charlotte acquires Nick Richards from New Orleans who was picked at pick No. 42 (SLAM Story)

Clippers move up two spots late in second round to acquire Jay Scrubb at pick No. 55 (SLAM Story)

Kenyon Martin Jr. traded to Rockets after being selected by Sacramento with pick No. 52 (SLAM Story)

We consolidated the final 2020 NBA mock drafts from some of our favorite draft experts (SLAM story)

The post SLAM’s 2020 NBA Draft Recap appeared first on SLAM.

The question at hand is who could pair well with big-man Karl Anthony Towns? Will it be Georgia’s standout freshman Anthony Edwards, the name that is dominating the top spot on most mock draft boards, or LaMelo Ball – the flashy point guard who has been in the spotlight since he dropped 92 points for Chino Hills? Sources told ESPN that Ball had his first private workout with the Timberwolves last week and that he “shot the ball well.”

However, it sounds like the Hornets are also eyeing Ball. According to the Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, sources say Michael Jordan has given the Hornet’s front office the go-ahead to draft Ball if they keep the third pick.

Then there’s James Wiseman, a unicorn that has remained a mystery ever since his freshman season at Memphis was cut short due to certain circumstances. Mock draft boards are predicting that Wiseman could also go either No. 2 or 3. While there’s upside in Ball, but Wiseman, as ESPN’s Jonathan Givony wrote is that, “Wiseman might be better equipped to immediately help the franchise return to the NBA Finals.”

While those names dominate the top three spots, the rest of the draft is stacked with prospects that are just as intriguing. Deni Avdija and Killian Hayes are two international prospects that some say could “lay to rest” the league’s “decades-old international stereotypes.” Other names, such as Obi Toppin, Tyrese Haliburton, Patrick Williams, Patrick Williams, Onyeka Okongwu and Devin Vassell have all been bouncing around the top-ten spots on draft boards.

As for RJ Hampton, Cole Anthony, Tryese Maxey and Josh Green, they’re all hovering around the latter part of the first-round.

Mock Draft boards have been updating, predicting and speculating all day. To make sense of it all, we’ve rounded up mock drafts from the league’s draft experts, to give you a sense of what tonight’s selections could look like:

AGGREGATED 2020 NBA MOCK DRAFT

This aggregate mock draft pulls the latest updates from ESPN, The Athletic, Tankathon, Bleacher Report, The Ringer and NBADraft.net.

The post Consolidated 2020 NBA Mock Draft appeared first on SLAM.

That’s what everyone is trying to figure out, as the T’Wolves seem as if they’re starting to view their lottery pick as a burden rather than a blessing. Whether Minnesota will trade the pick or use it to select one of the projected top three picks is still an unknown but the Timberwolves will still come out on top, as they’ll undoubtedly get better no matter what they do.

Minnesota is embarking on a new era, trading away former first overall pick Andrew Wiggins for D’Angelo Russell. With D-Lo and Karl-Anthony Towns the current franchise cornerstones, the Wolves have a great chance of adding to their core and finding the player that bits best between the pieces they already have with three picks in the upcoming draft.

Related: Full Minnesota Timberwolves 2020 Salary Cap Preview

2020 NBA Draft Picks

Timberwolves Draft Needs

For Minnesota to maximize their opportunities this offseason, the 2020 NBA Draft will be crucial.

Russell and KAT are a strong and dynamic offensive pairing but Minnesota is lacking defensively with those two are their best players. Their defensive deficiencies are further enhanced by the absence of Robert Covington (who was sent to the Houston Rockets in a four-team trade that ultimately allowed Minnesota to land Malik Beasley and Juan Hernangomez).

After trying to locate their third star with the first overall pick, the Timberwolves need to focus on establishing a stronger defensive presence as they rank 28th in opponent’s points per game. The Timberwolves are destined to be a team with big names and no real success unless they can stop somebody.

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New York is re-branding itself, hiring former agent Leon Rose as team president; the highly influential William Wesley as executive vice president and senior advisor; and tough-nosed Tom Thibodeau as head coach. Trying to become an attractive free agent destination again after multiple years of being spurned by marquee players, the next step for the Knicks after rebuilding the executive suite is handling business on the court.

The jury is still out on R.J. Barrett and Kevin Knox, the team’s two last lottery picks. However, with a top-10 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and the strong play of Mitchell Robinson, New York has a legitimate chance of becoming one of the league’s up-and-coming teams.

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Knicks Draft Needs

New York needs help in a lot of different areas and, with their lottery pick, should be looking to take the best player available regardless of fit. More than likely, the Knicks will be able to find away to get said prospect on the court, regardless of if he plays that same position of Knox, Barrett or Robinson.

Yet, it can’t be understated how much the Knicks need a point guard of the future. While Frank Ntilikina is frankly underrated and Elfrid Payton is a solid young lead guard, neither are the explosive scorers that have become increasingly popular and beneficial to a team’s success.

It’s possible that New York finds that player with one of their last two picks, as this draft has plenty of quality point guards to choose from.

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Guided by one of the league’s best coaches in Erik Spoelstra and one of the most influential NBA executives in Pat Riley, the Heat have excelled in the player development department and built a gritty culture in Miami. This bodes well for the Heat entering the 2020 NBA Draft, as they hold a top-20 selection that could be as impactful as Duncan Robinson, Kendrick Nunn, Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro have been for them.

With Goran Dragic’s future with the team unclear though, Miami may not have the luxury of missing on the pick.

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Heat Draft Needs

Miami appeared to run out of gas in the 2020 NBA Finals, raising questions about whether or not the Heat truly have enough high-level shot-creators.

Yes, Miami had seven players averaging at least 10 points last season. Yes, the injuries to Dragic and Adebayo severely hampered the offense. Yet, the Heat ranked 15th in the NBA with 112.0 points per game in the 2019-20 regular season and only averaged 104.5 points in the NBA Finals.

This could be an effect of multiple Heat players being better as an off-ball option offensively rather than making a move with the ball in their hands.

In fact, four of Miami’s rotation players — Robinson, Jae Crowder, Andre Iguodala and Kelly Olynyk — took at least 50 percent of their total shot attempts from 3-point range in the 2020 NBA Playoffs. Two others, Nunn and Herro, took at least 45 percent of their total shot attempts from 3-point range.

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Heading into the 2020-21 season, the Pelicans need to continue to build around Ingram and Williamson. Depending on how a potential trade involving veteran Jrue Holiday shakes up the roster, any prospect they pick in the 2020 NBA Draft could wind up being a luxury addition. As for now though, the lottery pick needs to be used on a specific type of prospect.

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Pelicans Draft Needs

A commonality found among most teams that miss the playoffs is a certain level of defensive ineptitude and, for the Pelicans, this particular trend holds true.

New Orleans, ranked 27th in opponent’s points per game last season (117.1), actually has the personnel to perform much better on that end and bringing Stan Van Gundy on as head coach could be just what the doctor ordered. Nonetheless, bringing in more players with high basketball IQs, great intangibles and commendable defense will still make his job a lot easier next season.

David Griffin, the Pelicans’ executive vice president of basketball operations, is definitely smart enough to recognize that.

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Kings head coach Luke Walton and second-leading scorer Buddy Hield are bumping heads, at odds over Hield’s starting role and playing time. Bogdan Bogdanovic and Harrison Barnes, arguable the team’s two most talented wings, are rumored to be being pursued by the Milwaukee Bucks. Promising center Harry Giles is likely out of the door as well, as Sacramento can only pay him $3.9 million in free agency after foolishly declining his option for the 2020-21 season.

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Kings Draft Needs

What will it take to bring the Kings out of dysfunction once again?

Nobody can be sure of the answer to that question but with four picks in the 2020 NBA Draft, including a lottery selection, Sacramento needs to improve the team culture.

The Kings may also need to replace Bogdanovic through the draft, as the $9.3 million mid-level exception is the best deal they can offer impending free agents. If a deal between Bogdanovic and the Bucks does transpire and Harrison Barnes is involved, matching salaries may result in Milwaukee sending a versatile defender and elite shooter in Khris Middleton to Sacramento. However, the Kings can’t guarantee the deal will occur, so they need to have multiple plans to replace the Serbian swingman.

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That won’t be easy.

Even though the Bucks will enter 2020-21 with nearly the same rotation as last season (a rotation that allowed Milwaukee to have the league’s best record at 56-17), they’re a weak shooting team and they ended up exposed in the playoffs. In addition, while the Bucks may have been dominant in 2019-20, they were ranked 23rd in strength of schedule by ESPN.

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Bucks Draft Needs

At the risk of oversimplifying their draft needs, Milwaukee’s most glaring weakness is their lack of 3-point threats.

Therefore, with their sole pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Bucks should target the best possible shooter they can find without sacrificing their defensive aptitude.

In terms of who to target, with players entering the draft knowing how important of a skill shooting is? Milwaukee’s roster composition dictates that they prioritize a small forward prospect.

Although there’s plenty of talk surrounding the point guard position, the Bucks likely don’t have a pick high enough in the draft to secure a prospect that will perform better than Eric Bledsoe. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Kyle Korver — who ranked fourth on the Bucks in total threes last season while ranking 10th in total minutes — is set to become a free agent.

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With three championships combined between KD and Kyrie, there are championship expectations but there shouldn’t be any particular pressure on them to win it in 2020-21. This is especially true in light of both stars’ recent injury history.

This offseason should be about bolstering the roster around those two and with a top-20 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Nets should be able to add a quality piece.

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Nets Draft Needs

There should be two main focuses for Brooklyn heading into the offseason: making a decision on re-signing sharpshooter Joe Harris and deciding how to improve their play at forward (outside of Durant).

Harris is a great fit in the starting lineup because of how his off-ball scoring complements both Durant and Irving’s ability to get into the teeth of the defense with the ball in their hands. However, after being paid a total of $16 million over the past two seasons, Harris may be in line for a pay raise.

The 29-year-old has been shooting an absurd .448 percent from 3-point range since 2018-19 (on 5.5 attempts per game) and he’s as professional as veterans come.

There’s quite a few prospects who excel as perimeter shooters in this year’s draft so, if Brooklyn feels the need to replace Harris, they should be able to.

At power forward, Taurean Prince could be a solid three-and-D option for the Nets. Nonetheless, they have a plethora of lower-level players — Dzanan Musa, Rodions Kurucs and Wilson Chandler — who can be replaced.

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With the five-time All-Star now 30-years-old and his backcourt mate (McCollum) now 29-years-old, Portland’s window to win it all with Lillard is steadily shrinking. Consequently, the next two to three seasons will be key forecasting whether or not Lillard can ever get over the Conference Finals hump with the Blazers.

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Blazers Draft Needs

Last season, poor perimeter defense is what plagued the Blazers, as they gave up 116.1 points per game (26th in the NBA), allowing teams to shoot .383 from 3-point range. Portland also had issues with keeping opposing teams off the offensive glass and getting more from their bench unit.

Lockdown defenders and monster glass-cleaners may not be the sexiest prospects to pick in the draft but the Blazers don’t need ‘sexy,’ they need a practical solution to their problems. Drafting for fit is the pragmatic approach that Portland, a perennial playoff contender, should adopt ahead of the 2020 NBA Draft.

Furthermore, two of the Blazers’ major players — Anthony and Whiteside — will be free agents this offseason. Both have readily recognizable flaws and holes in their game but they’re not going to be easy to replace.

While they may be able to find the type of defender they need in the second-round of the draft, their first-round pick should be used on a player who can somewhat replicate the production of Whiteside or Melo.

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This year, they’ll have to improve in a different, as they only have the 40th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Yet, because there’s such a thing as a team having too much youth, Memphis shouldn’t be disappointed by not having a higher draft pick (or more draft picks).

The team’s biggest offseason decision this year will be how to handle Josh Jackson’s free agency.

Jackson, the fourth overall pick in 2017, had the worst season of his young career in 2019-20 but is still just 23-years-old and brimming with potential. After averaging 16.6 points per game in March, Jackson showed that he could be a major piece of Memphis’ core.

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Grizzlies Draft Needs

Memphis is a middling team on both sides of the ball but where they really need help is on the perimeter.

The Grizzlies finished the 2019-20 season ranked 23rd in 3-point percentage (.347) and 24th in 3-point attempts per game (31.5) on offense. On defense, Memphis was ranked 24th in 3-point percentage (.365) and 25th in 3-point attempts per game (35.3).

With only three rotation players that were above-average shooters from deep last season (Grayson Allen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Tyus Jones), the most simple way for the Grizzlies to use their second-round pick is on a 3-and-D prospect. If none that Memphis likes are available when they’re on the clock, then a strong perimeter defender would be more useful than a strong shooter.

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The Sixers, like the rest of the world, have been disconcerted by their ability to amass as much talent as any team in the league but experience only moderate playoff success. Now Philadelphia is wondering whether or not their franchise cornerstones fit well together and what to do if not.

With five picks in the 2020 NBA Draft, the 76ers will have plenty of opportunities to find players that blend in smoothly with their star duo of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.

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Sixers Draft Needs

There’s no way that a team with Simmons, Embiid, Tobias Harris and Josh Richardson should finish the season ranked 20th in the league in points per game but that’s what happened in 2019-20. Many believe that the Sixers need a new point guard and it’s hard to argue that point with Simmons preferring to emulate Magic Johnson in a league that has most of their point guards trying to mirror the playstyle of Stephen Curry or Damian Lillard.

The best way to put it: Philly just needs to re-tool and re-arrange their roster.

Moving Simmons to power forward, where he could excel because of his size, ball-handling and athleticism, should be the 76ers’ first order of business. However, that doesn’t mean that he won’t act as the team’s de facto point guard; Simmons will and should be the Philadelphia’s primary facilitator.

As a result, whatever point guard they may select in the first-round — whether they stay still at 21 or try to move up in the draft — can be a scoring-minded player.

Adding scorers to the bench is also a necessity, as the Sixers’ bench ranked 26th in the league in points per game (32.0).

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Where Rudy Gobert is the team’s defensive standout, Mike Conley is the team’s heady veteran and underrated contributor. Jordan Clarkson, dealt to the Jazz last year in a trade that Utah were the winners in, is an elite sixth man. Meanwhile, Joe Ingles, Bojan Bodanovic and Royce O’Neal are Utah’s lethal perimeter threats.

That’s impressive roster building and lends credence to the belief that, even though the Jazz only have a late first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, they’ll make a shrewd decision with it.

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Jazz Draft Needs

Looking at Utah’s roster, the Jazz front office needs to add depth to their backcourt, as the players projected to be behind Conley and Mitchell on the depth chart next season can’t be relied upon when one of those two sit for important games. With Conley playing only 47 games last season, Utah’s need for a backup point guard is even more apparent.

Finding another strong perimeter defender, particularly one who can excel when defending the more explosive or shifty wings in the league, would also benefit the Jazz.

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Wall has looked explosive in videos that have surfaced of him playing pickup games against other NBA players this offseason but there’s still a question of what kind of results his re-emergence will yield. With a top-10 pick in the draft, the Wizards will have the option of finding their point guard of the future or looking for another cornerstone piece regardless of position.

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Wizards Draft Needs

Washington’s depth at center and the wing needs to be shored up but that’s what they should use their second-round pick on.

With the ninth overall pick, the Wizards need to look for a prospect that can either replace Wall (if the former first overall pick doesn’t look he’ll regain his dominant form), or they need to find the prospect that fits best between Wall, Bradley Beal and Rui Hachimura. Ideally, that player will be a strong outside shooter that flourishes off-ball.

There’s no need to try to find a potential replacement for Beal in this draft (i.e. Georgia’s Anthony Edwards), even if he can become a free agent in 2022, as it may help push him out of the door.

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