David Roddy is primed to be the “other guy” for the Grizzlies

Every great team has a superstar.

Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and many more are the stars that give their teams a chance to win it all. They’re the guys with the ball in their hands when the game is on the line and the ones making the plays that define the sport’s history. Without them, teams don’t win championships.

But they’re not on the court alone, and not every superstar wins a championship. Even though they’re the ones that push their teams over the top and give them the chance to win, even they need help. They need “the other guys.”

Memphis has its first bona fide superstar in Ja Morant and two rising co-stars in Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. But it was evident in their first-round loss to the Lakers that Memphis’ stars were not able to fully function in the absence of their true supporting cast. Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams both were out with injuries, and Luke Kennard injured his shoulder just as it looked like he could flip the series.

As Memphis heads into an off-season that will likely hold changes of both personnel and expectations, surrounding their core with players that will best fit their play will be a top priority. Though they will bring in new pieces via trade and free agency, the Grizzlies already have one of those pieces waiting in the wings in David Roddy.

Settling into a Shot

Roddy struggled early on in his rookie season and played inconsistent minutes to match his inconsistent play. He had no defined role on the team, and he didn’t do much to earn the trust of the coaching staff, as he consistently missed his defensive assignments and shot an uninspiring 28% from three over the first half of the season.

Over the second half of the season, however, Roddy began to figure things out. Over the Grizzlies final 42 games, he shot 34% from three, 45% from the field and became one of the best one-on-one defenders on the team, often taking on Dillon Brooks’ defensive assignment when the defensive specialist needed rest.

Roddy’s heroic performance in the Grizzlies’ March 11th win over the Dallas Mavericks, though, was the real turning point of the season for the rookie. His 17 point fourth quarter to lead Memphis to the comeback win was the stuff of legends, as he singlehandedly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and had all of FedExForum chanting his name.

From that point on, Roddy shot over 53% from the field and 36% from three as he clearly became more comfortable on the floor.

Settling Into His Size

Roddy got more comfortable defensively as the season went on, as well. His footspeed and ability to stay in front of guards was questionable coming into the NBA, but he showed a knack for using his size to his advantage in those matchups.

Watch David Roddy on this defensive possession pic.twitter.com/AyAumQDq2p

— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) December 10, 2022

Bojan Bogdanovic is never going to be mistaken for the quickest player on the court. But the same principle applies. Roddy isn’t the quickest guy himself, but he’s able to use his size to stay in front of Bogdanovic (pretty easily) rather than relying on that footspeed.

Add in his pure strength, and Roddy all of a sudden can guard positions two through four. Think of how many people get bulldozed by Zion Williamson, and then watch the clip below.

Dillon Brooks & Jaren Jackson get a bulk of the credit for the defensive performance on Zion, but man… David Roddy flashed big upside in this assignment.

Forced him to 4 turnovers – stayed physical, navigated his drives, stuck to the gameplan of funneling Zion to help defense pic.twitter.com/SnI5JpN2Ae

— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) January 1, 2023

Obviously, he had help in that scenario, and he hasn’t shown the defensive prowess of someone like Draymond Green. But this and the first clip are just two examples of something Roddy did consistently over the last stretch of the season as a rookie.

He naturally knows how to use his body to manipulate opposing players, and he now has a full season under his belt. An impressive defensive skillset is only going to improve from here.

That manipulation does not just apply on the defensive end, by the way. As he got more comfortable, he started using his body to create scoring opportunities, as well.

I've been really impressed with Roddy's improved driving and cutting lately. You can tell he's really starting to figure out how to move in space and fit within the team's scheme. These minutes are gonna reap benefits down the road pic.twitter.com/rIJa8gzcPX

— Nathan Qualls (@MemGrizzHomer) November 14, 2022

Roddy’s recognition of matchups is key here. He knows how to physically outmatch smaller opponents while using his athleticism to out-maneuver larger ones. And while his improved three point shooting will be massively important for Memphis, his ability to drive and thrive in the paint will create space for both him and his teammates to operate.

Settling Into a Role

Now, shot making and defensive versatility are especially important for a team like the Grizzlies who don’t have much of either on the wings. But what Roddy showed in that Dallas game that makes him a perfect fit for Memphis in the long run was not just skill or talent – it was a total lack of fear. He rose to the moment, never questioning his ability when it mattered most.

Roddy was still a rookie, and he was not able to help Memphis in the playoffs. But his aggression and confidence will pay dividends for Memphis going forward. He won’t be able to fill Dillon Brooks’ role in the starting lineup in his second season – the Grizzlies will need to bring in someone else to do that. But he will be able to be the valuable unknown off Memphis’ bench, the next guy that leaves other teams’ fans asking, “Who is that guy that’s killing us?”

PJ Tucker, Bobby Portis, Kevon Looney – none of these names scream “danger” on their own. But put them on a winning team with other great players, and they will be the ones slowly lowering you into your grave. Players like these are considered great role players for the simple fact that they do all of the dirty work. They give teams what they need, when they need it.

David Roddy fits the bill for the Grizzlies. Already in his rookie season he proved himself as an energy player willing to do the thankless work for Memphis. Whether it’s a one possession game in crunch time or a blowout, he is going to be the same player giving the same effort when he’s on the floor. He’s going to be something Memphis needs as much as anything else – steady.

He won’t be an elite shot creator, and he’s more likely to shoot 36% from three than 40%. But his 36% won’t waver when the game gets tight, and he’s going to play within himself no matter the situation. He’s going to average closer to single digit points per game than 20, but when teams leave him open all game, he’s going to surprise people with close to 30.

David Roddy’s rookie season wasn’t flashy, and most non-Grizzlies (and Mavericks) fans won’t know who he is. But Memphis fans learned to trust him and his game, and he is primed to settle into a consistent role in his second season. He won’t be a star or household name, but he’ll be exactly who Memphis needs. He’ll be the other guy.

The other guy, but with…upside.

Lots, and lots of upside.