Game Preview: Milwaukee Bucks at Memphis Grizzlies

When: Tuesday, October 10th, 7:00 PM CST

Where: Fedex Forum, Memphis, Tennessee

How to Watch/Stream: Bally Sports Southeast

Basketball is finally back, my friends. We made it. Now, it is time to rejoice.

Sure, it’s just preseason ball, but that doesn’t change the fact that I am drawn to it. Like a moth to the flame. Anything to get me some Grizz hoops.

After winning their opener, the Milwaukee Bucks are coming to town. Can the Grizzlies build off a solid start and collect two dubs to start out the preseason?

In their win Sunday, several players helped elevate my excitement even further for this season. Who will build off their weekend performances? Against a Bucks squad, not two years removed from a title?

Granted, this current Bucks team bears little resemblance to that championship squad. Gone are PJ Tucker and Jrue Holiday—their 2 best perimeter defenders—and new to the squad is Damian Lillard.

You know who that is, right? The actor from those Dos Equis commercials? I’m kidding. I’m also assuming, barring any folks living under rocks, that you know damn well who Lillard is.

There are more than a few things to watch for in tonight’s contest. Here are the three things this ginger is going to be watching for.

It’s Time for Jake ‘The Leap’ LaRavia

It seems to happen every year for this squad. Thank the Grizzlies’ development staff, I reckon. It’s their fault we’re spoiled, expecting at least one guy to make the proverbial “Second Year Leap”. Every year since Desmond Bane, it’s felt like a constant in the organization.

If I had to pick a sophomore player for Memphis that I’m rooting for it to happen to after Sunday? To make that second-year, Bane-esque leap? It would, hands down, be Jake LaRavia. And if I’m honest… it’s not even that close.

Look, I have no idea what to expect from Jake this year. None. Yet if he continues to look like the player he did—against the Pacers—we may be looking at Memphis’ starting 3 for the first 25 games of the regular season.

Against Indiana, in 19:37 minutes of action, LaRavia delivered a complete performance. One of the most complete of his young career, I’d say. A performance the starters could enjoy as well.

Jake LaRavia closes out the Grizzlies' W with this and-1 slam. #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/tnQ36Nv9Rh

— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2023

For the game, he had 15 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, and 1 BLK on 42.9/40.0/100.0 splits. If that stat line is a sign of things to come, Jake may force the Grizzlies’ hand… Think about it.

What would adding a third elite shooter to the Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard combo do? The hellfire that the trio of Bane/Kennard/LaRavia could reign down from beyond the arc? Game over, man. Game over. Fingers crossed, he continues shooting the absolute lights out of the ball.

The Last March of John Konchar

I don’t want to alarm anyone. But depending on how this preseason shakes up… I’m thinking we may be witnessing a Swan Song performed by ‘Jitty’ soon. Yeah, I’m thinking Konchar’s time with Memphis may have finally run its course.

Due to no fault of his own. Whereas other Grizzlies elevate their games, Konchar’s ceiling remains the same. It’s the same ceiling it’s been for a while now, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s only that when you’re already amidst a roster logjam, standing out becomes a necessity.

You have to earn your minutes in Memphis, and I wouldn’t say that through one game that’s what happened. It may have wound up being the opposite. Konchar’s 5 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, and 1 STL in 18:14 minutes is… fine. I guess.

Tell you what, though, “fine” will not cut it if he continues shooting at the abysmal rate he did in the Forum Sunday. ‘Jitty’ finished the night, shooting 25% from the field, while making 33% of his treys. Neither of which is particularly good.

Konchar’s role at this time has been to play advanced defense and make threes. The defense has held, but the shot has not. Quite the contrary—he posted career-shooting lows last season. What’s worse is through one game, ‘Jitty’ appears to have picked up right where he left off.

If his shot continues not to fall when others are hitting, it’s going to be difficult to justify keeping him on the roster. Especially when he’s got such a tradable contract. Not sure about you, but I, for one, will be watching Konchar against the Bucks. Let’s see if he’s able to step his game up or be a casualty of cuts.

Memphis’ Backcourt Will Be Fine Until 12 Returns

With Ja Morant missing the first 25 games of this season, many predicted Memphis falling. Falling back down to Earth, falling in the rankings, take your pick. While it has been only a single game—in the preseason, mind you—Memphis’ reinforcements held pat.

I would be remiss for not giving Derrick Rose his due here because he must have heard everyone. All the doubters. He must have heard each person who thought his name was synonymous with “washed up.”

It sure does feel good to see haters be wrong, doesn’t it? This appears to be the case with D-Rose. We all had a feeling that his return to Bluff City had the capability to be something special.

And so far—I get it’s one game, leave me alone—he has not disappointed. More than that, though, through the first game, it looks like he may still have a lot left in the tank. In 13:36 minutes, Rose had 13 PTS and 2 AST while going 6 of 8 from the field. Oh, and he sunk his lone three-point shot. Not what I would consider washed up.

Derrick Rose puts up 13 PTS in his Memphis Grizzlies debut. #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/0EhEOGe3vC

— NBA (@NBA) October 9, 2023

It’s not Memphis’ prodigal son Rose steadying the guards alone, though. I also remain, as always, stunned by the skill and control exhibited by Jacob Gilyard. Against the Pacers, he poured in 3 PTS, 5 REB, 6 AST, and 3 STL, contributing across the board in limited minutes.

It would not surprise me to see him called up from the Hustle more often than not in these first 25 games. Gilyard, combined with a healthy and determined D Rose? The Grizzlies backcourt is going to be fine in the interim. Trust me. Look for both to build on their momentum over the weekend into tonight.