Grizzlies Leapfrog Lakers in Fourth Summer League Game, 100-69.

The Memphis Grizzlies matched up with the Los Angeles Lakers Friday Night at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for their fourth summer league game. With an 8 PM Pacific tip, many of you were probably mustering up that last bit of energy to catch this one, especially considering that the Grizzlies are already out of contention for the Summer League Championship. Luckily, the young Grizzlies came out and shocked you back to life with one of their most offensively dominant performances in all of their summer league action thus far. What’s that the kids call it? A cinematic experience. Let’s take a look at how this movie turned out on the big national TV screen. 

Early in, it was all Memphis. The Grizzlies roared out with a 12-0 run out of the gate. The scoring came everywhere, but especially from Jake LaRavia and Kenny Lofton Jr, who both got off to hot starts. Even more impressive, Memphis backed up its success on offense with a physical and calculated defensive effort that limited the Lakers at the rim and forced them into tough shots. At halftime, it was 51-22, Grizzlies up. They were shooting 50% from the field and 43% from three. 

It was more of the same in the second half. The Grizzlies extended their lead to over 30 and continued to get in a groove on the offensive end. The basket was open for just about every player on the team. But, the defense let up just a little and the Lakers clawed their way back some and cut the Grizzlies lead to 22 heading into the fourth. Memphis finally wrapped it up in the fourth quarter and outscored the Lakers by nine to defeat them by a commanding score of 100-69. With that, Memphis’ early exit from the 2023 Playoffs has finally been avenged (sorta.)

Now for the grades – Couldn’t have been prouder for the pupils, so I felt generous with the evaluations.

Jake LaRavia – A+ (20 pts, 5 rebounds, 7-14 FG, 3-8 3PT)

In this game’s preview, I noted a thing to look out for was for LaRavia to keep a much-improved summer league going showing, and the Grizzlies’ 2022 first-round selection not only did that, but he excelled on all fronts. From the start, LaRavia’s energy on both ends ignited the team. He had 14 points in the first half with plenty of signature moves highlighting his newfound aggression on offense. He fluidly moved to the basket as he anticipated defensive counters on multiple possessions in addition to knocking down his signature three-point shots. 

They gotta learn to stop trying Jake the Snake 🤐 🐍
pic.twitter.com/S52ciXzA5R

— Grizzly Bear Blues (@bcmGrizzlies) July 15, 2023

Jake LaRavia did many things Friday night but one thing stuck out in particular – he is going to fight for a rotation spot next year and play at a level at which he simply cannot be ignored. He is clearly presenting a massive leap in his ability and skill level that’s ready for an NBA floor and is lacking at the wing position for the Memphis Grizzlies. Are you getting serious Desmond Bane, Ziaire Williams, and Santi Aldama memories from their respective tenures on the Grizzlies’ Summer League squads? Because I sure am.

David Roddy – A+ (21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 8-11 FG, 2-5 3PT)

To say the least, it had been an abnormal Summer League for David Roddy before this game. In multiple games in Las Vegas, Roddy had trouble getting into a rhythm offensively and appeared a step behind in terms of using his size and frame to finish at the basket. Friday night, he put a lot of questions and doubts amongst the fanbase to rest. After only scoring five points in the first half, he had himself a monster second half where he scored 16 points and went 75% from the field. Most noticeably, Roddy leveraged his strength on the interior, a key advantage that he’s slowly been working on ever since he’s come into the league. 

GET OFF THE RIM @droddy22

watch 📱 https://t.co/cv52w0KLWP pic.twitter.com/LECR3ZQTGR

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) July 15, 2023

While there are still areas that need to be explored and refined, the development of David Roddy has a high-level shotmaker and offensive spark for this Grizzlies offense is chugging along. Roddy also showed his chops as a secondary playmaker and connector, constantly moving the ball around and finding his teammates, another skill that adds an interesting layer to the team. David Roddy will be a key contributor for the Memphis Grizzlies next season, and this game should have fans excited for what’s to come for the forward out of Colorado State.

Vince Williams Jr. – A (11 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 3-7 FG, 2-5 3PT)

After missing the last two games, Vince Williams Jr returned to the lineup and provided an essential boost. From the jump, his hustle on both ends of the floor helped tear the game open, but it was on the boards where he earned his stripes, notching up a double-double. Williams Jr. gave the Grizzlies an edge defensively, and he reiterated this in his postgame comments, stating “Anybody on a Grizzlies team is going to hustle for loose balls so we can get out and run on the other end.” Well, no one outhustled Vince Williams Jr, that’s for sure.

VINCE WILLIAMS JR IS BACK pic.twitter.com/qFMrXmkYeq

— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) July 15, 2023

The “Vince Williams Jr Effect” is clearly evident in the gameplay of the Summer League Grizzlies. Williams’ presence re-energized the roster and brought an intensity that reverberated throughout the team. You have to wonder if the Grizzlies’ fortunes in Sun City over these past few days might have looked different if Williams Jr. had been healthy for those games.

The “others” – A

I had also mentioned that the bench group needed players to step up from some low-output performances the past two games, and they also delivered. After a rough outing Wednesday against the L.A. Clippers, G.G. Jackson bounced back in a big way; he went 2-2 from 3 in the first half and finished with 15 points (his highest point total in Las Vegas thus far), to go along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists while shooting 55% from the field. Recent second-round draft pick Tarik Biberovic had himself a night too, finishing with 12 points on 4-6 shooting from beyond. Two players finished in double digits from the bench after none did in Wednesday’s loss against the Clippers. Big time.

Overall Grade: A+

This extremely impressive win is the type of win that has you raving about the future of the Grizzlies. It was sorely needed after some disappointing outings in Las Vegas. To put it plainly, it was an all-inclusive offensive clinic of a meal with a heaping side of lockdown defense. Every starter except one in double figures. 27 total assists. 18 fast break points. 48% from the field. 41% from three.

The question now becomes – who on the team is going to take their play and become consistent enough with it? As Will Durant stated, “We are what we repeatedly do… therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit.” Whoever can build upon their showing of excellence and transform it into something that regularly helps the Grizzlies on their quest for championships long-term, so much so that it becomes an effortless habit, that’s who will come out on top in the rotation. Buckle up, the battle to see who comes out on top in training camp will be fun, and everyone looks up to the challenge to prove themselves. Memphis will conclude its NBA2K24 Summer League Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns.