MikeCheck

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Memphis Grizzlies

MEMPHIS – Considering the way the bench has been rolling so far this season, Cam Spencer could have taken it as a demotion of sorts.

On a night when Spencer, the Grizzlies’ usual backup point guard, was summoned to the starting lineup as an injury replacement, the reserves he left behind erupted for a season-high 81 bench points in that Halloween victory over the Kings.

That breakout performance catapulted Memphis atop the NBA as the league’s most productive bench through the first two weeks of the season.

Spencer flashed a wide grin when asked after Sunday’s practice how he was coping with the demotion and fear of missing out on all the bench fun.

“Hey I’m a team guy, man,” Spencer said. “The bench came in and did their job. They’re calling it the bench mob. It’s a fun group to be a part of. But you’re going to be in and out. Sometimes starting. Sometimes off the bench. As long as the Grizzlies win, I’m the happiest dude on earth.”

The Grizzlies (6-0) look to keep the good times going as their four-game homestand continues Monday against the Pelicans (2-4) in a matchup of teams with the NBA’s top two reserve units. A victory Monday at FedExForum would give Memphis its best start in franchise history at 7-0.

To accomplish that feat, the Grizzlies will likely need another boost from a bench averaging 49 points, shooting 42-percent on 3-pointers and leading the NBA in blocks. The Pelicans rank second in bench scoring at 46.8 points per game.

Although Spencer took his temporary reassignment well, he’ll again embrace the move back to a bench that also features Isaiah Stewart, GG Jackson and Jerami Grant. Spencer started at point guard in Saturday’s 136-105 win and matched his career high of 13 assists without a turnover.

The Grizzlies are expecting point guard Ty Jerome back in the lineup Monday after last week’s Western Conference Player of the Week sat out Saturday with back tightness. He participated in Sunday’s limited team practice and was not listed on the injury report ahead of Monday’s game.

The rotation depth will again be tested with guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (back soreness) listed as doubtful, likely to miss a second consecutive game. Reserve forward-center Quinten Post (ankle) also missed Saturday’s game, but practiced Sunday and is considered questionable for Monday.

Assembling a balanced roster with quality depth was a top priority for coach Tuomas Iisalo and team president and general manager Zach Kleiman during the offseason.

Stewart was acquired from Detroit in June and Post was signed away from Golden State in July restricted free agency to bolster the frontcourt. Spencer, Jackson and Pippen Jr. were all initially groomed through the Grizzlies’ two-way development program two years ago and eventually signed to standard NBA contracts before entering this season as primary rotation contributors.

All have enjoyed breakout moments in the opening weeks of the season.

Against the Kings on Saturday, Jackson knocked down all five of his 3-point attempts and scored a season-high 21 points off the bench. Stewart added a season-high 24 points, having reached double figures off the bench in four of his six outings while shooting 54.5-percent on 3-pointers. And the veteran experience of Grant has fortified the Grizzlies on both ends of the court.

After wrapping up last week’s four-game trip with a 21-point win at Portland, Iisalo said the multitude of versatile bench contributors is not a luxury but rather a necessity for the Grizzlies.

He reiterated that Sunday as they prepare to face 15 games over the next 27 days in November.

“What our guys have done a tremendous job with is no matter who plays or when they play, they bring that focus, that effort, that commitment to each other,” Iisalo explained. “That’s really what makes any good team go. That allows us to make runs throughout the game at different times, which is really a necessity. The more guys we can have stay in rhythm makes it easier for them to step into the rotation as there are injuries or other guys unable to play.”

The variety of contributions has made the Grizzlies one of the biggest surprise teams in the league. Internally, there’s very little about this start that’s shocking to those who have been putting in the work since offseason conditioning.

Inside the team, there is no definitive distinction between starters and backups. There are instead rotations in waves. It created a ferocious level of competition during training camp between opposing units, with one group rarely dominating another group for long.

Iisalo on Sunday shared a story from training camp of how Stewart, a seventh-year veteran, insisted on playing with a unit of the youngest players on the training camp roster. Swingman Kris Murray vouched for the level of intensity that permeated each scrimmage session. That remains the case as the reserves vow to push the starters as hard as any opposing NBA team.

“Juices get flowing and that’s what you want,” Murray revealed. “Our coaches do a very good job incurring that kind of atmosphere, and we feed off it.”

“Winning is fun – that’s why we do our job,” Spencer assured. “Coaches have done a great job keeping our urgency at a high level. We’re six games into an 82-game season, so we just have to keep it going. It’s gratifying knowing the work we’ve put in is paying off. But the (first six) wins are in the past. We’ve got to do it again (Monday) and then in the next game to keep it rolling.”

Be it the Grizzlies’ starters or reserves getting it done, it’s not about which unit matters most.

It’s the prolific unity between right now them that counts.

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MikeCheck: Boosted by NBA’s top bench, Grizzlies pursue best start in franchise history

Battle of NBA unbeatens caps Grizz 4-game trek

PORTLAND – There’s no getting around the obvious.

But for these Grizzlies, the priorities are in order entering Thursday’s game against the Blazers in one of the most compelling matchups of this young NBA season.

Sure, the brotherhood and bonds that tie the Grizzlies to Ja Morant still exist and remain strong.

“He helped me jumpstart my career, gave me a lot of wisdom and everything,” admitted third-year Grizzlies swingman Jaylen Wells, who played more games with Morant than anyone on the current roster. “I’m honestly looking forward to it.”

Then there’s Scotty Pippen Jr., who remains in almost daily contact with Morant.

As Morant’s seven-year career in Memphis was winding toward the July trade to Portland, no teammate was closer to the biggest star in franchise history than Pippen Jr. at the time.

“Ja’s my brother,” Pippen Jr. vowed. “We hang out over the summers. He watches our games. I watch his games. He’s always sending me texts during (our) games, and I’m texting him as well (during his). It’s bigger than basketball with me and him.”

Even with all of that said, bonds will be set aside for a couple of hours Thursday as two of the NBA’s three remaining unbeaten teams face off at Moda Center.

The Grizzlies (4-0) are committed to setting emotions aside and focusing on the business at hand as they look to sweep their first road trip of four or more games since 2013.

These Grizzlies are already showing levels of improvement and poise that have made them arguably the biggest surprise team through the first two weeks of the NBA season. Memphis is off to the second-best start in franchise history, which includes three close wins on this trip that wraps up Thursday against the similarly stunning Blazers.

Both teams have found early success, with the Blazers notching only their second 3-0 start in the last 15 seasons. The Grizzlies and Blazers executed one of the more compelling trades of the offseason when Memphis dealt the two-time NBA All-Star in Morant to Portland. The Grizzlies pivoted to a rebuild after limited playoff success over three straight injury-plagued seasons.

Memphis had already traded fellow All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. in February to Utah and parted with productive guard Desmond Bane the previous summer in a 2025 deal with Orlando.

In return, the Grizzlies received a total of seven first-round draft picks for Jackson Jr. and Bane. They acquired productive veteran forward Jerami Grant and forward Kris Murray, a 2023 first-round pick, from the Blazers in the deal for Morant.

What was projected to be a retooling season for a Grizzlies squad with the NBA’s fourth-youngest roster has instead teased of an ahead-of-schedule resurgence. Through the first four games, a balanced Memphis team ranks in the top eight in the NBA in rebounding, 3-point shooting, blocks, second-chance scoring and overall defensive rating.

There’s a poise and resilience that already allowed the Grizzlies to exorcise past demons at Golden State to rally from a 12-point deficit in the final three minutes to start the trip. And in their most recent game Monday, players and coaches set aside emotional attachments to Jackson Jr. yet again to defeat the Jazz for a second time in six nights.

Sure, there’s a different gravity with Morant, whose signature Nike shoes and star power remain influential in Memphis. But the Grizzlies are holding themselves to a different standard for preparation and execution entering games, regardless of circumstances.

“Let’s say I’m more focused on how we’re playing against the Blazers, and (Morant’s) a big part of what they do,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said of taking a bigger-picture view after Wednesday’s practice. “They’ve opened the season in terrific fashion. They’re playing with a ton of confidence, and they’ve got a ton of offensive talent. We’re expecting a really good matchup for us with the way they’re playing. It’s a great test for where we are at this point in the season.”

Iisalo already defines the first extended road trip of the season a success based on how the Grizzlies executed to close out the past three games. A demanding schedule saw them play the Warriors, Kings and Jazz over a stretch of four nights using three different starting lineups.

Iisalo has relied early on depth, with Memphis producing between four and six double-figure scorers in each game so far. That group includes the two players who have admirably stepped into the starting roles Jackson Jr. and Morant held for the past seven years.

Point guard Ty Jerome is averaging 29.8 points, 6.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds as the Western Conference Player of the Week. Power forward Cam Boozer opened his rookie season becoming just the eighth player in 44 years with at least 10 rebounds in each of his first three NBA games.

Producing at that level on the road is beneficial to the Grizzlies’ early growth.

“It’s huge, especially winning,” Pippen Jr. explained. “A road trip like this, with the back-to-back (Sunday in Sacramento and Monday at Utah) and a lot of games in a short amount of time, it builds our confidence. A lot of teams and people were sleeping on us coming into this (season). So just to have this stretch and then go back home is going to be huge for us.”

After Thursday, the Grizzlies will have played more road games than any team in the league so far. They return to Memphis to start a four-game homestand Saturday at FedExForum.

As they end the trip with consecutive games facing Jackson Jr. and Morant, the Grizzlies have shown respect and gratitude for two of the most decorated players in franchise history. But this team is also eager to reveal the positive direction in which the organization is now headed.

The experiences they’ve gained can set a tone for the season.

“It’s been great for us on and off the court, just being able to hang with guys on a road trip like this, going through some adversity,” Wells asserted. “When we step in the lines, it’s time to compete. There’s no friendly person on the other team. It’s just I’m here to compete and I’m here for my team.”

Previous ties aside, this trip isn’t about those no longer in Memphis.

It’s about these upstart Grizzlies continuing to build new bonds together.

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies embrace bonds, but ‘more focused’ on building on successful road trip

Franchise center expected back Monday vs Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY&nbsp;– Among the most encouraging developments during the Grizzlies’ unbeaten start to the season has been Zach Edey’s rapid progress in his healthy return to action.

“It’s a testament to him and all the people that have been working with him to have him in this spot right now,” Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo assured of Edey. “We just have to be smart to make sure we reap the benefits when he’s on the court. And when our key rebounder and defensive anchor is not there, it’s a great opportunity for other guys to also step up.”

So far, Memphis is benefitting from both its dominant big man and its depth.&nbsp;

Edey is expected back in the starting lineup when the Grizzlies continue their four-game trip Monday against the Jazz. The 7-foot-4 center sat out Sunday’s 123-112 victory over the Kings for recovery management as Memphis improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

The Grizzlies will remain strategic with Edey’s availability throughout his return from the offseason ankle and elbow surgeries he underwent ahead of his third NBA season. Monday’s game at Utah completes the first of 14 back-to-back sets Memphis will play this season.

In those cases, when a team has games on consecutive nights, players who recently rehabbed from injuries typically are sidelined for one of the contests as part of recovery management.

Although Edey sat out Sunday, he went through an extensive conditioning workout on the court at Sacramento’s arena before the game. Earlier in the day, Edey said his body has been feeling great and he’s confident with how his ankle has responded so far this season.

Monday marks a full month since the Grizzlies opened training camp, where Edey participated throughout that initial week of team practices and conditioning sessions. Iisalo deemed Edey “ahead of schedule” during the preseason when Edey played in three of four exhibition games.

“I’m feeling good and just trying to build to get my conditioning and everything to where I want it,” Edey said of his progress over the past month. “We’re attacking everything the right way.”

Edey started the first two games of the regular season, contributing nine rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes during a 123-103 season-opening home win against the Jazz last Wednesday. He followed with a dominant closing stretch to help the Grizzlies rally from a 12-point deficit in the final three minutes for a 111-108 win Friday at Golden State.

In that game, Edey grabbed 10 rebounds and had two blocks – including a game-sealing rejection of a Steph Curry 3-point attempt – in 22 minutes. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors by 25 points when Edey was on the court.

The team found success with him sidelined Sunday as veteran backup Isaiah Stewart opened at center against the Kings on a night when all five Grizzlies starters scored in double figures. Memphis prioritized frontcourt depth this summer to support its franchise anchor in the post.

The Grizzlies drafted power forward Cam Boozer third overall in June, acquired Stewart from the Pistons in a trade and signed 7-footer Quinten Post away from Golden State in July free agency.

Edey believes facing Post and Stewart in practices and working in rotation alongside them in games have been ideal in preparing him to return to form. After making the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team two years ago, Edey was limited by ankle issues to only 11 games last season.

Even in those 11 games, the Grizzlies went 7-4 and were rated top 10 in the NBA in offensive and defensive efficiency over that stretch. Expanding that sample size by sustaining that level of production is among the goals this season.

“We’ve got three types of bigs here, so we get the whole package every day,” Edey insisted. “I get to work on defending a stretch big (Post) and also work to guard a bulky, tougher guy who likes to move his feet (Stewart). It’s good to get to practice like that and it helps us all in games.”

That heft and depth have provided a significant boost so far, as the Grizzlies outrebounded their first three opponents by an average of 11 boards per game. Memphis had 18 offensive rebounds each of its past two games and scored a season-high 30 second-chance points Sunday.

Boozer and swingman Cedric Coward both posted double-doubles against the Kings, combining for 31 points and 22 rebounds to offset any potential void in the paint from Edey’s absence. With Coward returning on Sunday from a sore wrist that kept him out Friday at Golden State, the Grizzlies have used three different starting lineups through the first three games.

“We’re trying to go out and execute everything (coaches) want us to do,” Stewart pointed out. “And that’s go out with undefeated effort, outwork the man in front of you and do your job until the next man comes in. We can outwork opponents just by being prepared when your name is called. Training camp and these practices leading to this have allowed us to be prepared.”

Now comes the first schedule grind of the season: The Grizzlies face their third game in four nights. Both Memphis and Utah played Sunday, with the Jazz losing at home to the Lakers.

When these teams met on opening night last week, the Grizzlies sprinted past the Jazz by outscoring them 69-48 over the second and third quarters to cruise to a 20-point win. A collective effort saw the Grizzlies’ frontcourt control the boards, their bench produce 46 points and lead guard Ty Jerome drop a career-high 45 points on the Jazz.

Duplicating that success will be a difficult challenge on the road. But the Grizzlies will have at least one big addition back on the court as they continue to manage Edey’s health. The plan is to gradually build on his output with intentions to sustain production for the season’s long haul.

“Our medical and performance team does a great job of giving us the guidelines,” Iisalo acknowledged. “Zach is always wanting to play more and more. He’s incredibly tough and he’s been incredibly committed to this process.”

Edey is encouraged by the initial returns.

“It’s been huge for us to be able to grind out games like that and get these wins,” Edey said. “It’s our identity when it gets grimy, we get stops. That’s how we want to play. We’re never going to back down from anything. When someone comes at us, we’re definitely going to hit back.”

Especially on nights when Edey patrols the paint.&nbsp;

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MikeCheck: Off to 3-0 start, Grizzlies ‘being smart’ with Edey’s process amid early progress

Takeaways from historic season-opening victory

MEMPHIS&nbsp;– Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo had two expectations for his team entering the regular season opener following a relatively healthy training camp and productive preseason.

“Always learn,” Iisalo insisted. “And improve collectively.”

As season-opening standards go, the Grizzlies established a sky-high bar with a historic performance in their debut. Here are my two takeaways from Wednesday’s 123-103 thumping of the Jazz and a lookahead to Friday’s matchup at Golden State to open a four-game trip.

The Grizzlies work out on practice courts that have a designated 4-point line, which is a full step beyond the NBA’s normal 3-point arc. Combo guard Ty Jerome routinely takes shots from there.

So, it should come as no surprise that his shooting range and comfort zone both stretch well beyond normal limits. Still, even Jerome had to playfully apologize for the “heat check” he launched from just across midcourt for his final attempt on an otherwise magical night.

“That one was a little far,” Jerome said through a guilty grin.

The 35-footer was one of the rare misses during a team-leading performance in which Jerome shot 17-for-25 from the field, 5-of-10 on threes and notched a career-high 45 points along with seven rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes.

It represented the most points scored by a Grizzlies player during a season opener in franchise history, surpassing the 44-point outburst from former point guard Ja Morant in 2020. The 20-point win was also the largest margin of victory for a season opener in franchise history.&nbsp;

Although the scoring binge stood out, Jerome suggested his aggressive approach was simply the result of adapting to what the game dictated based on how the Jazz defended. What the effort truly underscored is something far clearer and precise in the bigger picture.

Even as the Grizzlies remain a work in progress largely retooling around first, second and third-year players, the 29-year-old Jerome is a proven veteran capable of providing a big scoring punch.

“I say this all the time, man: the game kind of tells you what to do,” Jerome explained. “So those shots (that were available) are shots that I shoot every day, maybe besides that last one. But if teams are going to play us like that, I’m confident in those shots.”

Jerome embraces a fresh start and a leadership role after being limited by injuries last season when he arrived in free agency. This season, he has taken over the starting role at point guard and entered Wednesday’s opener coming off an impressive preseason in which he led Memphis in scoring and shot 47.4-percent on threes.

While Jerome’s scoring set the tone against Utah, the Grizzlies collectively controlled the game on both ends after trailing 31-29 after the first quarter. Memphis then outscored the Jazz 69-48 in the second and third quarters and dominated with a 55-38 rebounding edge for the game.

“That’s who we are as a group - we’re going to play fast, play in waves and everyone is going to contribute every night because that’s who we are,” Jerome assured. “Today was a real good example of what we want to be, and we’re going to continue to build on that.”

Iisalo, Jerome and rookie No. 3 pick Cam Boozer all emphasized how much of a boost the Grizzlies got from the home crowd at FedExForum.

The atmosphere started with a memorial tribute and moment of silence to honor the memory of former Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who died in May. It continued with player introductions emceed by former Grizzlies legends Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.

The Grizzlies reciprocated that energy with their relentless play on the court.&nbsp;

“We want to make a good impression,” Iisalo said. “We’re not only vying for wins, but we’re also vying to win over our own fans and prove to them that this is a team worth cheering for because of how we play.”

One play in particular brought fans to their feet with thunderous cheers. It came at the 8:03 mark in the third quarter when Jaylen Wells dove into the courtside seats for a steal, then pushed the ball to a streaking Cam Boozer in transition. Boozer finished with an emphatic dunk over Jazz forward and former Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lane.

That play came during the decisive run that pushed the Grizzlies’ lead to 20 points.

“It was a lot of energy in the crowd,” Boozer acknowledged. “Getting stops and steals leading to points, it’s great for the team because we’re all playing together. Just good vibes. And when the arena erupts like that, it brings even more energy. It’s a lot of fun out there. It was electric. That opened the game up for us. When we’re playing like that, we can compete with anyone.”

Boozer contributed a game-high 11 rebounds and seven points in his NBA debut. He also set a league rookie record with a plus-32 impact, highest for any player in his first career NBA game.

On the heels of Jackson Jr.’s return to Memphis, the Grizzlies get another homecoming experience on Friday when center Quinten Post heads back to Golden State.

Post signed with Memphis as a restricted free agent in July after spending the previous two seasons with the Warriors, where he played 109 games and averaged 7.8 points. Memphis valued the 7-footer’s screen-setting and ability to extend his shooting to the 3-point line.

In Memphis, Post is part of a three-man center rotation that features starter Zach Edey and another offseason acquisition in veteran Isaiah Stewart. Post is grateful for the knowledge he gained from NBA champions and future Hall of Famers in Steph Curry and Draymond Green.

Post also embraces the opportunity he now has with Memphis ahead of his return to the Bay.

“It’s a new role and new guys after being with guys like Steph and Dray,” said Post, who finished with seven points in 19 minutes off the bench against Utah. “Over here, Coach Iisalo has a whole new system. Learning to play with these guys here has been big, and I hope to keep building on that. Right now, what’s being asked of me is to be a little more aggressive (defensively) than in Golden State. That’s been an adjustment. But I think it’s going to work out.”

Post’s contributions will continue to be vital as the Grizzlies manage Edey’s initial playing time coming off ankle surgery and as Stewart works his way back from a preseason ankle injury.

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies set ‘example of what we want to be’ while seeking to build on debut win

MEMPHIS – Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo has routinely used metaphors and analogies from other sports to drive home his basketball-related messages throughout the preseason.

When asked after a 3-1 preseason finish if the preparation grew any easier entering his second year at the helm, it was essentially like tossing a moderate fastball right over the plate.

“This is never easy,” Iisalo unleashed with a sheepish smile. “It’s like when you’re lifting weights. You reach a certain point with your strength, and there’s only more to do. So, you have to then increase the weight that you lift.”

Consider Iisalo and the Grizzlies buoyed by the burden.

With a relentless training camp and encouraging preseason behind them, the Grizzlies shift focus to Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Utah Jazz at FedExForum.

Although games now officially count in the standings, this team is still very much in the building stage. The Grizzlies embark on a challenging early schedule with as many as 10 players on the roster who weren’t with the team this time a year ago.

There was still some accounting and housekeeping to do Monday as the team arrived for opening week practices. The Grizzlies were facing at least two roster decisions as the league’s 4p.m. (central) Monday cutdown deadline loomed.

NBA teams are limited to 15 players on standard contracts, along with three additional prospects signed to two-way developmental deals shared with franchise G League affiliates. The Grizzlies are likely deciding between three players for a final roster spot, with guard Walter Clayton Jr. and forwards Kris Murray and Micah Peavy in that mix.

Clayton seemed to have the inside track entering training camp after arriving in the package Memphis landed in February’s trade that sent two-time NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. A first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft from NCAA champion Florida, Clayton averaged 9.7 points and 5.7 assists in 25 games with the Grizzlies late last season.

Clayton then struggled to build momentum after a knee injury sidelined him during a key development opportunity with the Grizzlies’ summer league teams. He’s had uneven moments this preseason, playing 47 minutes over four games and shooting 33.3-percent from the field.

The Grizzlies already have solid depth at point guard. Ty Jerome delivered a remarkable preseason to establish himself as the starter in a rotation that includes Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cam Spencer on standard contracts, and second-year guard Javon Small on a two-way deal.

Meanwhile at small forward, Murray has seen his opportunities increase over the final two preseason games as he landed primary rotation minutes. The 6-foot-8 swingman and 2023 first-round pick was acquired by Memphis along with veteran Jerami Grant from Portland in the summer trade that sent two-time NBA All-Star Ja Morant to the Blazers.

The Grizzlies have been intrigued by Murray’s length and potential as a wing defender. He was the first reserve off the bench and played 16 minutes in the Oct. 9 preseason win at Chicago.&nbsp;

Murray was then inserted into the starting lineup for Friday’s preseason finale against Charlotte alongside Jerome, Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer and Zach Edey. After that game, Iisalo commended Murray’s defensive effort against Hornets’ star guard Brandon Miller.

Still, the Grizzlies also have adequate depth at the “big wing” spot, where Wells, Grant, GG Jackson and rookie first-round pick Karim Lopez are pushing for opportunities at the position.&nbsp;

Among those likely battling for the final roster spot, Peavy has been most limited. An ankle injury suffered during late offseason workouts has sidelined the 6-foot-7 swingman throughout training camp and the preseason since he arrived in a late-summer trade with the Pelicans.

Overall, Iisalo has been pleased with the team’s conditioning, internal competitiveness and progress over the past three weeks. The process started with a weeklong, physically demanding training camp in Nashville. Next came a relentless stretch of three exhibition games over five nights in three different cities to get acclimated to the grind of the regular season.

And that was followed by what’s been described as a three-day “mini-camp” to fine tune before last Friday’s final test run against the Hornets. Dating back to July, the Grizzlies have built on their run to the NBA Summer League championship game with a promising preseason.

The building only continues as the start of a new season arrives.

“It’s something we’ve said over the years: it’s better to have tired legs and good habits than bad habits and fresh legs,” Iisalo theorized. “The amount of work that the guys have been putting in, I know everybody is very tired. But we’ve seen the level of execution pick up, the communication and physicality. There’s always more work to do. But we’re in a good place.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Now come the final roster decisions as the heavy lifting intensifies.

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies’ final roster decisions loom with NBA regular season set to bloom

Grizzlies fine tune in mini-camp type week

MEMPHIS – Preparing for a relentless start to the regular-season schedule required some preseason foresight for these retooled Grizzlies. 

As coach Tuomas Iisalo worked with the front office and opposing NBA teams to craft a series of exhibition games, the priority was to push the Grizzlies through a rigorous stretch that modeled what they’ll face when games count in the standings.

The result was a four-game exhibition slate in which the Grizzlies played their first three games over a span of five nights as they adapted to the demands of a high-paced system.

Those three games last week were in three different cities across two time zones.

That’s because the Grizzlies’ Oct. 21 season and home opener against the Jazz is immediately followed by a four-game road trip out West. They’ll play their first four games over six nights across three time zones.

In essence, what the Grizzlies endured last week mirrors what’s soon to come.

“I honestly didn’t know that,” swingman Jaylen Wells realized. “But with the pace we play, it’s definitely important for us to keep up with that type of schedule, to get a taste of that early. So, I’m kind of glad we’re doing that.”

The Grizzlies are now in regroup mode with several days to assess their progress before their final preseason game at home Friday against the Hornets.

Iisalo has seen steady development in a week that opened with last Monday’s 132-outburst in a win in Atlanta. That was followed by a physically demanding matchup in a close home loss to Orlando, which preceded Friday’s encouraging bounce-back effort in a road win at Chicago.

The scoreboard results weren’t necessarily the focus for the Grizzlies. Instead, it’s the collective resolve as they sort through lineup combinations while working to get rookie third overall pick Cam Boozer acclimated and third-year center Zach Edey up to speed from offseason surgery.

“We’ve intentionally scheduled those three games … to develop different things and establish chemistry with the groups that are going to play together,” Iisalo explained. “Our weekend (was) spent evaluating and recovering from this stretch, which was designed to test our guys’ conditioning. Overall, we’ve taken steps that were very valuable for us. Not just for the fact that it mimics the NBA (schedule) rhythm and gives us a chance to get used to it, but because of the reps we got from three completely different types of teams.”

On the heels of a preseason gauntlet of games, the Grizzlies can gauge growth in key areas.

Edey continues to work his way into game condition following offseason ankle and elbow surgeries. Initially projected to be available for the regular season, Edey is deemed “ahead of schedule” after participating in training camp and playing the past two preseason games.

The 7-foot-4 franchise anchor built on his admittedly rusty 10-minute stint Wednesday against Orlando with Friday’s strong outing against the Bulls. Edey was more assertive, made all three of his shot attempts and had 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block in 16 minutes.

The clearest signs of his confidence and mobility came on two plays that didn’t actually count. At one point, he took off from just inside the free-throw line on a vicious dunk attempt over a Bulls defender that resulted in a foul. Later, Edey stepped in front of the rim to vehemently reject a dunk by Bulls rookie lottery pick Caleb Wilson that led to another foul.

Those types of explosive plays give the Grizzlies plenty of hope after the former First Team NBA All-Rookie selection was limited to just 11 games last season by injuries.

“I feel really good with where my body is right now, and it’s about getting my wind and my conditioning back,” Edey assessed. “But moving around, jumping and cutting, I feel great. My legs feel a lot better and my conditioning feels a lot better than last (Wednesday’s) game. I just want to keep getting better.”

With Edey back, there’s also more clarity with the starting lineup. In his two preseason games, Edey was joined by point guard Ty Jerome, wings Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward, with Boozer at power forward.

Without Edey, that four-man group was a bit sluggish in the opening stages of last Monday’s game in Atlanta. There were also struggles initially Wednesday against the Magic in Edey’s debut. On Friday, however, the starting group was a collective plus-19 in the first half in Chicago.

“In two of the three games, our ball-movement was really nice, and we’re finding open guys, sharing the ball and have good spacing,” Iisalo pointed out. “The effort has been there. Then, there are situations where we still need to improve. It’s rim protection and our rotations, synchronizing all five players in movement if somebody gets beat, and defensive rebounding.”

Offensively, the Grizzlies have been balanced – with Jerome, Boozer and reserve GG Jackson all scoring in double figures in each preseason game. Memphis scored 81 points in the first half against the Hawks, notched 31 assists against the Magic and dominated the first half against Chicago when primary rotation players were on the court.

Through three exhibitions, the Grizzlies rank in the top 10 in the league in preseason scoring, field-goal percentage, assists and pace. Defensively, to Iisalo’s point, Memphis falls in the bottom third in rebounding and rim protection metrics.

That will be a point of emphasis this week as the Grizzlies fine tune.

“Coach has a system, with some guys having already been here, but a lot of us are picking it up as new guys getting used to it to sharpen for the season,” veteran forward Jerami Grant said. “We already came here in shape. Now it’s about the game processing slowing down to get ready for the regular season.”

Reserve guard Scotty Pippen Jr. agreed.&nbsp;

“Everyone is playing different roles and different minutes, so we’re still getting used to it,” Pippen Jr. suggested. “We’re glad it’s still preseason, so we can go back and evaluate now and work on what’s next.”

The Grizzlies reconvened Monday for what might feel like a week of mini-camp ahead of Friday’s final preseason tuneup.

“To build it back up,” Iisalo confirmed. “It’s always a tricky proposition this time of the year because, as a coach, you feel a strong urge to cram a lot of different tactical stuff in there to make sure we have all the Xs and Os covered. But it’s very important we don’t overdo that. We’re in a good place. We just have to make sure we keep pounding that rock, keep making incremental progress.”

That steady improvement is ideal, even as the Grizzlies remain a work in progress.

mikecheck-after-rigorous-preseason-stretch-grizzlies-evaluate-and-regroup-for-final-test-run

MikeCheck: After rigorous preseason stretch, Grizzlies evaluate and regroup for final test run

Iisalo eager to evaluate roster in game actionATLANTA – Opportunity.

That’s the buzzword floating around the Grizzlies as they emerge from training camp and open the preseason with Monday’s exhibition against the Hawks.

With 20 players on the preseason roster – and a relatively clean bill of health – Memphis will sort through various lineup combinations over the course of four dress rehearsals leading to the Oct. 21 season opener against the Utah Jazz.

Between now and then, there’s still rotation and roster business to settle.

“We have so many guys we want to see on the court, and then gradually build up,” coach Tuomas Iisalo said of the role Monday’s game plays in the ramp up to the regular season. “I don’t expect any guys to really crack 20 minutes.”

Yet, it will be a debut with distinction.

On the heels of four days of training camp in Nashville and Sunday’s Open Practice in Memphis, the Grizzlies get their first game-night look at newcomers in rookie third overall pick Cam Boozer, trade acquisitions Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant; and free-agent pickup Quinten Post.

The Grizzlies also return a promising young core as Zach Edey, Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells – all former NBA All Rookie First-Team selections – continue their encouraging development.

So where does everyone stand in the transition from camp to facing opposing competition?

I offer one word to describe each player on the current roster and provide my take on their circumstances entering preseason play.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Cam Boozer: Foundational – Fundamentally sound, skillfully versatile and psychologically mature, the 19-year-old Boozer carries plenty of promise into his rookie NBA season. From the paint out to the perimeter, the third overall pick showed in training camp he’s a building block.

Walt Clayton Jr.: Conundrum – Likely one of four back-end prospects battling for the final two guaranteed roster spots, Clayton must maximize the preseason. The point guard depth chart already has Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen locked in at the top and Javon Small in a two-way spot.

Carson Cooper: Project – The people’s champ of Sunday’s rookie dance contest at Open Practice, Cooper flashed solid moves for a big man. Occupying one of the team’s three two-way developmental contracts, he’ll get plenty of seasoning with the G-League’s Memphis Hustle.

Cedric Coward: Emerging – From getting a test run in Summer League with a higher usage rate to working out extensively during the offseason with many of the NBA’s elite players, Coward seems destined to step into a premium role as a versatile and productive leader this season.

Zach Edey: Progressing – The Grizzlies repeatedly stress the 7-foot-4 franchise center is on pace to be ready for the regular season, but nobody has ruled Edey out of seeing preseason action. A highlight of camp was Edey’s availability after rehabbing offseason ankle and elbow surgeries.

Jerami Grant: Adaptable – As Iisalo spent camp mixing and matching options on the wing, one constant is the trust that Grant will serve a “plug-and-play” role whether he’s a starter or a top reserve. The most experienced player on this roster will also be one of the most valuable.

Taylor Hendricks: Teetering – Two seasons removed from a devastating leg injury with the Jazz, Hendricks entered camp as physically and mentally healthy as he’s been since being drafted in the 2023 lottery. The task now is making the jump from roster prospect to rotation contributor.

GG Jackson: Verdict - The jury has been out on GG for three seasons as he toiled through growing pains and promising stretches since entering the NBA as an 18-year-old project. After major roster turnover, he’s the team’s longest-tenured player. The verdict arrives this season.

Ty Jerome: Master-key - From setting the pace to executing pick-and-roll sets to spacing the floor as a 3-point threat, no player unlocks the optionality of Iisalo’s system like Jerome. After showing dominant flashes in limited play last season, he’s eager to engineer as the lead guard.

Karim Lopez: Unripe - The Grizzlies insist Lopez has the size, strength and versatility to develop into one of the surprises from this year’s draft. He’s playing catchup after a hamstring injury limited him in Summer League. And there’s a logjam of forwards ahead of the first-round pick.

Jahmai Mashack: Infectious - After proving last season he can handle almost any position, the 6-foot-3 defensive pest Mashack created intense competition every time he’s been on the court. The primary rotation wings can’t take a possession off when Mashack is on the defensive prowl.

Kris Murray: Intriguing - A certified college scorer at Iowa, Murray must now carve out a roster spot with his improved defensive play. He arrived from Portland with Grant in the summer trade that sent Ja Morant to the Blazers. It’s an uphill battle for one of the Grizzlies’ final roster spots.

Micah Peavy: Limited – A late-summer trade acquisition from New Orleans, Peavy is another of a long line of 6-foot-7 or so wings the Grizzlies have collected on the preseason roster. But an ankle injury before the start of training camp unfortunately prevented Peavy from competing.

Scotty Pippen Jr.: Breakout – In the Grizzlies’ last playoff appearance two seasons ago, Pippen notched a triple-double against eventual NBA champion Oklahoma City. That’s the upside he hopes to revisit now that he’s past the two toe surgeries coming off last year’s setback season.

Quinten Post: Quintessential – The former Golden State big man was targeted by Memphis in restricted free agency because he’s the quintessential post player for Iisalo’s system. Post is a 7-footer who can set massive screens, step out to shoot threes and also effectively roll to the rim.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper: Relentless – When it’s time to inject a shot of energy into the lineup, Prosper is the ‘break-glass-in-case-of-emergency’ fix. Few play harder and with more reckless abandon than O-Max, whose effort and impact won’t be hard to see on the floor this preseason.