UJSL2018

Memphis Grizzlies

SALT LAKE CITY – Grizzlies assistant coach Greg Buckner broke up the scrimmage session, stood between Wayne Selden and Kobi Simmons beneath the basket and shouted a question - at first, to no one in particular. 

“What am I always saying about this situation?” Buckner blurted during a game-day shootaround at the University of Utah’s practice facility. “Wayne, it begins with an ‘L.’” 

Seeking confirmation of the correct defensive term for when the Grizzlies shift their defense to strongside coverage, Buckner then turned to Simmons.

"Kobi, you've heard me say it a hundred times, so you should know," Buckner continued. "It's load. We load to take that (look) away from the offense. Load! Load! Load!"

It was one of many teachable moments from the Grizzlies' staff taking place this summer. But these assistants are far from substitutes. The voices of J.B. Bickerstaff's sidekicks are resonating loudly throughout summer league practices, shootarounds and games these days. That will continue as the Grizzlies move on from Utah to this weekend’s start of Las Vegas Summer League play. 

Offseason development priorities extend far beyond getting No. 4 overall pick Jaren Jackson Jr. and a team of rookies, second-year players and young projects ready for NBA action. This summer for the Grizzlies is also about developing a staff of assistants who are in transition under Bickerstaff.

Buckner takes over summer league coaching duties when the Grizzlies open Las Vegas play on Saturday against the Pistons. He'll be the fourth different assistant in as many games to run the bench while Bickerstaff and new lead assistant Chad Forcier evaluate players and staff off to the side. 

The Grizzlies wrapped up the four-team Utah Jazz Summer League with a 2-1 record after falling 94-87 on Thursday to the Spurs. First-year assistant and player development coach Kevin Burleson ran the Grizzlies in that summer league’s finale after Adam Mazarei and J.J. Outlaw coached the team to wins over the Hawks and Jazz, respectively, in the first two games.

Bickerstaff revamped his staff this summer once he was promoted from the interim role he served following David Fizdale’s dismissal in November. Bickerstaff retained Nick Van Exel, Mazarei, Outlaw and Bucker, who was brought in midseason after the coaching change. The staff was completed earlier this summer with the additions of Forcier, Burleson, Jerry Stackhouse and Vitaly Potapenko.

With so many moving parts and shifting roles, Bickerstaff views the summer leagues as crash courses to fast track continuity and communication in advance of the September start of training camp.

“We can sit down and have a bunch of meetings, which we have,” Bickerstaff said of rotating the coaching reps. “But circumstances on the floor come about, and we get a chance to have conversations about what’s happening in real time. We get a chance to learn and study our guys, because we’ve got a bunch of new guys on the staff who haven’t paid as close attention to some of the guys we have. This gives us a chance to learn our guys’ strengths and weaknesses. It gives us a boost going into the season.”

Putting his assistants in position to coach through challenges with young players is what this process is about. Most NBA head coaches rely on an assistant to take over the bench for summer league. Bickerstaff is just delegating those duties to a completely different level. Almost everyone has had an opportunity to learn and lead, although Buckner will now handle the duration of the Las Vegas schedule.

“You can’t put a price on it; the ability to keep your composure, work with your staff, maintain the game plan and make adjustments,” said Outlaw, who steered the Grizzlies to Tuesday's win over Utah as they held on after a 26-point lead was squandered. “Being able to communicate with young players as they go through adversity in games, there are lessons to be learned for all of us. And it’s invaluable.”

With a handful of accomplished former players on the Grizzlies’ bench and in the front office, the group has caught the attention of fans and maintains the attention of the team’s young players. During the Grizzlies’ first two games in Utah, Stackhouse and Van Exel sat on the front bench and volunteer summer assistant Mike Bibby was seated a row behind. 

During Monday’s win over the Hawks, some fans in the front row at Vivint SmartHome Arena jokingly and repeatedly shouted for the Grizzlies to put Stackhouse, Van Exel and Bibby into the game. Once front-office assistant Tayshaun Prince joins the contingent in Las Vegas, it'll be even more star power.

With their days of scoring NBA points long behind them, the Grizzlies' collection of former NBA standouts are instead delivering key pointers. In various roles, they are fostering the development of Memphis' young players. Between Buckner, Van Exel, Stackhouse, Potapenko and Prince, that’s nearly 65 total seasons of NBA experience and wisdom to impart. 

“Having those guys around, it obviously means a lot,” rookie point guard Jevon Carter said. “They’ve been there; they’ve been in those situations we’re about to go through. So why wouldn’t you listen to guys like that? They’re not doing anything but telling you the right thing. It’s very easy to listen to.”

After Thursday's loss, that meant listening to lessons about the level of mental toughness required to endure an NBA-like schedule. Playing their third game in four nights, with a trip to one of the nation’s more exotic cities up next, the Grizzlies lacked the consistent energy and execution shown in their two wins.

They fell behind by as many as 18 points, Jackson shot just 1-for-7 from the field and Carter was a game-worst, minus-22 in plus-minus ratio. The Spurs scored 60 of their 94 points on threes and free throws to offset the 25 points Memphis scored off 14 San Antonio turnovers.

“I think mentally, the guys were in 'end-of-the-road-trip' mentality,” said Burleson, who played one season in the NBA. “We’re going to another city, and that city is Vegas. So I think mentally, some guys weren’t locked in. It started at shootaround a bit (Thursday) and it kind of carried over to the game.” 

The Grizzlies missed a handful of defensive assignments against the Spurs that were detailed earlier Thursday, when Buckner halted shootaround to reinforce the ‘load’ coverages. But it was also at that practice where Jackson later sought out Stackhouse for their now routine and relentless three-point shooting sessions that have helped the 18-year-old forward find an initial comfort zone.

While some in league circles question whether Jackson's effectiveness in college would translate to the deeper NBA three-point line, he shot 10-for-18 (55.5%) from deep through three games in Utah. Jackson insisted he’d take constructive criticism from any coach in order to help his game transition to the next level. 

But he also admitted there is a unique additional layer of credibility when that tutelage comes from an assistant such as Stackhouse, a two-time All-Star who was one of the NBA’s best scorers during an 18-year playing career. 

“He’s hard to keep up with because he still shoots it so well,” Jackson said of his daily around-the-arc drills with Stackhouse. “But he’s not just trying to murder you. He’s teaching you as we go along. It’s ‘set your feet this way,’ and that kind of stuff. Whether it’s Nick, Jerry, Tayshaun … you’re talking about guys with hell-a-accolades. They’ve accomplished so much, and they’re giving back to help us. They don’t have to do this. They’re set for life with their money. But they’re teaching us, and they’re trying to improve themselves as coaches, too.”

These days, the Grizzlies’ primary teachers are simultaneously learning in new roles.

It’s all part of a symbiotic summer, both for coaches and players.

The classroom now shifts from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. 

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

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MikeCheck: Summer School for Grizz players, coaches shifts to Vegas after passing initial Salt Lake City tests

SALT LAKE CITY - The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 94-87, in the Utah Summer League at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Thursday.

In the finale of the Utah Summer League, San Antonio won in comfortable fashion. In fact, the Spurs won the first three individual quarters, leading by as much as 18 points at times in the second half. Three-point shooting was the difference for San Antonio, as they went 15-of-25 from long range. Memphis put on a solid display from long range as well though, connecting on 9-of-19 shots from three-point range.

The Grizzlies (2-1) were led by Wayne Selden, as he tallied 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists on a 6-of-7 clip from long range. Jaren Jackson Jr. went just 1-of-7 from the field, but finished with eight points, four rebounds and three blocks. Kobi Simmons totaled 10 points, two assists and two steals, while Jevon Carter accrued eight points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Spurs (2-1) got another gem out of Derrick White, who collected 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists. First-round pick Lonnie Walker IV amassed 14 points, three rebounds and two assists. Chimezie Metu provided nine points and nine rebounds, while Olivier Hanlan led the bench with eight points, five rebounds and four assists.

Both teams will play their next game in the Las Vegas Summer League on Saturday. Memphis will play the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio will face off with the Indiana Pacers.

Grizzlies Game Tracker and Box ScoreDiscuss the game on the Fan Boards

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Postgame Report: Grizzlies come up short against Spurs in third 2018 Summer League matchup

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Grizzlies @ Spurs photos 7.5.18

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Grizzlies Summer League practice photos 7.5.18

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The Memphis Grizzlies today announced that 2018 draft picks Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jevon Carter will be featured alongside Dillon Brooks, Deyonta Davis, Ivan Rabb, Kobi Simmons and Wayne Selden Jr. on the team’s MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 roster. The event will be held from July 6-17 at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center and COX Pavilion on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Grizzlies’ full 17-man roster for NBA Summer League 2018 is below.

Memphis Grizzlies’ MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 roster

MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 will feature all 30 NBA teams for the first time, and ESPN networks and NBA TV will combine to televise the entire 12-day, 82-game schedule live. Each team will play a minimum of five games, starting with three preliminary contests from July 6-10. The teams then will be seeded in a tournament, which will start on July 11 and conclude with the Championship Game on July 17.

The Grizzlies’ preliminary round schedule tips off at 8 p.m. CT on July 7 against the Detroit Pistons at the COX Pavilion (NBA TV). Memphis also will play at 8:30 p.m. on July 8 against the Orlando Magic (ESPN2) and at 5:30 p.m. on July 10 against the Sacramento Kings (ESPN2), both at the Thomas &amp; Mack Center (all times CT).

Grizzlies assistant coach Greg Buckner will serve as head coach in Las Vegas and will be joined on the sidelines by Grizzlies assistant coaches Jerry Stackhouse, Vitaly Potapenko, Nick Van Exel and Adam Mazarei and Grizzlies assistant coaches/player development J.J. Outlaw and Kevin Burleson.

Tickets for MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting NBATickets.com.

For the most up-to-date and exclusive coverage and analysis of the Grizzlies participation in MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018, Grizzlies fans are encouraged to visit grizzlies.com for Grind City Media coverage. Grind City Media will provide up-to-the-minute analysis, exclusive video and daily podcasts throughout both summer leagues. For more information and behind-the-scenes access sign-up for Grizzlies E-News or Grind City Media News at grizzlies.com or visit GrindCityMedia.com, like Grind City Media on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram (@GrindCityMedia).

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2018/19 Season Tickets can do so by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com. For more information on the Grizzlies, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram (@memgrizz).

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Memphis Grizzlies announce MGM Resorts NBA Summer League 2018 roster

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SALT LAKE CITY – Under ideal circumstances, Wayne Selden wouldn’t be here.

He’d be spending this part of the summer working out with his personal training staff. He’d be making plans for the final vacation he’d get to take before preparing to return to Memphis in early September for pickup games in advance of the start of training camp. 

In other words, Selden likely would be watching the Grizzlies’ summer league team from afar right now. Instead, the third-year swingman found himself in the middle of Tuesday’s action at the Utah Jazz Summer League, rescuing the Grizzlies from a near second-half collapse in a 95-92 win over the Jazz. 

Selden scored six of his game-high tying 20 points in the final two minutes after Memphis squandered the 26-point lead it built midway through the game. He made a jumper to put the Grizzlies back ahead 87-86 with 2:03 left, then added a pair of free throws and a driving layup to help put the game away. 

As a result, the Grizzlies (2-0) are the lone unbeaten squad in the four-team field heading into the final day of play on Thursday, when they face the Spurs at Vivint HomeSmart Arena.

But the last role Selden, 23, wants to embrace these days is as a summer league team savior. The 6-5 chiseled swingman has much bigger ambitions. But the Grizzlies are having to rely on Selden again in summer league play, in large part, because they couldn’t count on him to stay healthy during an injury-plagued regular season that saw him miss 44 games with right quadriceps and knee issues.

Because of that setback, Selden was never really able to build on his breakout performance last summer, when he was named to the Las Vegas Summer League All-Tournament team after averaging 22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals over a sensational six-game stretch. 

After sitting out of the Grizzlies’ debut win Monday over the Hawks in Utah, Selden was inserted into the starting lineup Tuesday alongside center Deyonta Davis, forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and guards Kobi Simmons and Jevon Carter. The goal for Selden was to knock off some rust and use whatever summer game action he gets to maintain his health and conditioning. 

“Just keep getting in better shape, just keep training my body,” Selden said as the Grizzlies look to finish 3-0 on Thursday before moving on to Las Vegas Summer League play on Saturday. “I feel like I’m in pretty good shape right now, but you can always get better with it. So I think that’s the biggest thing for me. I just want to play in as many games as I can next season.”

First, there’s the formality of getting through next week. Selden and the Grizzlies are facing a July 10 trigger date to guarantee his $1.5 million salary for next season, which is the final year on his contract. At an athletic 230 pounds and with the ability to attack the basket, finish against contact and also shoot 40-percent from three-point range, the Grizzlies have been intrigued by Selden’s potential since he was signed to a multiyear deal at the end of the 2016-17 season in time for the playoffs. 

But Memphis is also at a crossroads at the shooting guard and small forward positions, where there essentially are no players under guaranteed contracts beyond next season. The Grizzlies are expected to address their need for a veteran wing scorer with all or part of their $8.6 midlevel exception in free agency, but some of the team’s potential targets have committed to deals elsewhere. 

Which brings the situation back to Selden. The Grizzlies would prefer to bring him off the bench but aren’t opposed to starting Selden alongside point guard Mike Conley, who is expected to return healthy for training camp after recovering from heel surgery that cost him 70 games last season. 

The team must also replace the scoring void created by the departure of Tyreke Evans, who averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 52 games last season. For now, Selden is the longest tenured shooting guard on a roster that currently includes second-year wings Dillon Brooks and Simmons along with MarShon Brooks, who signed on late last season after a four-year stint in China.

While Monday’s win over Atlanta was highlighted by breakout performances from rookie draft picks Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jevon Carter, Tuesday’s spotlight was on the Grizzlies’ returning summer league prospects. Selden, Davis and Simmons combined for 57 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists on 22-of-44 shooting from the field in a game of wild momentum swings against the Jazz.

Once the Grizzlies surrendered all of their 53-27 lead by the middle of the fourth quarter, the coaching staff turned to Selden, Davis and Simmons to settle the team in the final minutes. It wasn’t exactly unfamiliar territory for the group. Selden and Davis were part of the Grizzlies’ playoff rotation two seasons ago, and all three got extensive opportunities over the course of last season’s 22-60 finish.

“Those guys have been in those situations before, so we were pretty confident and comfortable playing them down the stretch,” said Grizzlies’ assistant J.J. Outlaw, who coached Tuesday’s game. “There’s a big learning experience to be had, which is exactly what this is for. On one side, that’s good. But we blew a 26-point lead. We got away from things we were doing well, and that was disappointing.”

Outlaw detailed a specific set of expectations this summer for the more experienced players.

“Those guys have to be our leaders – they’re the guys who have been through the wars, to some degree,” Outlaw continued. “That’s where their maturation process has to take another step, too.”

While it’s unclear how many more games Selden will be asked to play this summer, Simmons hopes to use both Salt Lake City and Las Vegas opportunities to showcase improvement from his rookie season. Simmons ranks among the leading scorers in Utah at 20.5 points a game. It’s a small, yet encouraging sample size. After shooting just 42.3 percent overall from the field and 28.2 percent on threes in 32 games last season, Simmons is shooting 51.6 overall and 42.8 from deep through two games in Utah.

“I guess I’m a veteran out there now, so I want to use what I’ve been working on throughout this offseason and stay aggressive,” Simmons said. “It feels great to build on things like my shooting. As soon as last season ended, I took two or three days off and then got right to working on my jumper. It was shot after shot, trying to build on my range and building confidence. I just want to keep it going.”

So far this summer, the young Grizzlies appear to be developing in the right direction.

The rookie draft picks have made solid first impressions. 

Second-year players are progressing from last season. 

“I’ve been down this road before,” he said of summer league breakthroughs.

Should all go according to plan this time, Selden won’t need to head back this way ever again.

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MikeCheck: Selden making most of summer league assignment as Grizzlies stay unbeaten in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – In the hours leading to his NBA Summer League debut, Grizzlies’ rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. did what just about any 18-year-old lottery pick would to combat anxiety. 

“I meditated in my hotel room a little bit to ease the tension,” Jackson said after delivering what’s safe to say was the best, first summer impression in Grizzlies history. “I listened to some Lo-fi music and relaxed. But once you get on the court, it feels a little easier. It feels better, like riding a bike again.” 

Jackson looks to continue riding smoothly along Tuesday when the Grizzlies face the Jazz in their second game in as many days in the Utah Jazz Summer League. The No. 4 overall pick in last month’s draft, Jackson aims to build on a dynamic introduction to the NBA.

Like riding a bike, Jackson peddled his ready-for-the-NBA jumper to a game-high 29 points on 8-for-13 shooting from three-point range in the Grizzlies’ 103-88 victory over Atlanta in Monday’s summer league opener. The 6-11 Jackson made the first two threes he took in the opening minutes of the game, then ended the first half beating the buzzer on a shot from just inside the mid-court line.

By the fourth quarter, Jackson was taking – and making – heat check shots from various spots beyond the arc, including a corner three after which he faded into courtside seats at Vivint SmartHome Arena. One of the talents that set Jackson apart among other bigs drafted in the lottery was his near 40-percent shooting from three-point range during his lone season at Michigan State.

Yet one of the biggest questions that followed Jackson into the league was whether his quirky shooting motion and range could adapt and extend another three feet to the NBA three-point line. Even members of the Grizzlies' staff and front office debated if mechanical tweaks were needed. But Jackson's release - shot put motion and all - is getting the desired results so far.

If there was an element of surprise to Jackson’s prolific effort Monday, it wasn’t that he was able to adjust so quickly after putting in relentless work on his shot during the Grizzlies’ mini-camp last week to prepare for summer league play. Instead, it was that Jackson didn’t hesitate to shoot. And shoot. And shoot some more. He averaged only 6.6 shot attempts overall in his 35 games at Michigan State, and was more of a relief option on a deep Spartans team that prioritized other offensive playmakers.

On the Grizzlies' summer team, Jackson is now a focal point.

“We’re giving him freedom … for the most part, his shots were good shots, and he’s got confidence taking those shots,” Grizzlies summer league coach Adam Mazarei said. “He’s a high-energy kid, very easy to coach. So we want kids like that, and we want to give him freedom to use his talents. And one of his talents is shooting. He did a good job of knocking down shots.”

Playing power forward alongside third-year center and fellow former Spartan Deyonta Davis, Jackson is able to operate as a ‘Stretch-4,’ and spend considerable time facing the basket from the perimeter. 

“I like shooting threes, so when you’re open, you have to take them,” said Jackson, who sparked the Grizzlies’ 13-for-25 shooting on threes against Atlanta. “There are 24 seconds on the shot-clock and you might not get a better shot sometimes. So coach told me if I get a good look (early), just shoot it.”

At what point did Jackson really feel the hot hand?

“I don’t know for sure … maybe when I hit the one I just threw up in the second half,” Jackson said of the heave that started his 4-for-6 finish on threes in his 12-point fourth quarter. “I just kind of felt like, ‘I don’t even know where I am right now.’”

What’s more important for the Grizzlies is where Jackson may end up. His versatility projects to make him an ideal fit alongside veteran starting center Marc Gasol, giving Memphis two interchangeable bigs with high basketball IQs who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. Davis, second-year forward Ivan Rabb, Jarell Martin and JaMychal Green, a starter entering the final season of his contract, round out the depth at power forward and center as the roster currently stands.

Entering the game, one might have expected that shooting display from Hawks’ lottery pick Trae Young, the first player in Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and assists. Young was the NCAA’s version of Steph Curry last season at Oklahoma. But he was upstaged by Jackson on Monday.

Young committed a foul just seconds into the game, air-balled three shots from distance in the first half and finished 4-for-20 effort overall, including 1-for-11 on threes. Applying the vice grip on Young was second-round pick Jevon Carter, the Naismith national defensive player of the year at West Virginia.

Carter hounded Young in similar fashion during their Big 12 matchup in January, when Young missed 14 of 22 shots and was forced into eight turnovers. Jackson setting the tone on offense and Carter providing the defensive spark from the outset was exactly the opening act the Grizzlies sought. 

“It starts with Jevon – he’s a great on-ball defender, and it started with that game in college,” Mazarei said. “Our big guys were talking on ball screens, and big guys moved in, so Jevon could trust the rest of his teammates to do exactly what they were doing. As a team, we stopped (Young). It wasn’t just Jevon. It was a really good team defensive effort by everybody.”

Both Carter, selected with the No. 32 pick, and Jackson showed the level of potential that should help the Grizzlies in their attempt to bounce back from a 22-60 season. Jackson even departed his first summer league game with bragging rights in the family home. 

The most threes Jaren Jackson Sr. made in a game during his 12-year NBA career, which included a championship with the Spurs, were seven. Jaren Jr. topped that by draining eight treys his first time in an NBA uniform as dad proudly watched from the stands as texts from friends buzzed on his phone.

“He only hit seven? That’s really funny,” the younger Jackson joked when told after the game of besting his dad. “Me and Chief (Jaren Sr.) are going to have to have a talk about that. He’s going to be salty.”

That might've been the sweetest among many shots Jaren Jr. nailed on the night. 

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MikeCheck: Grizzlies’ lottery pick Jackson aims to build on sweet-shooting NBA summer league debut

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Grizzlies Summer League practice photos 7.2.18

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