Insider Insights: Jokić, Nuggets Blow By Bane, Grizzlies

There’s tough losses… And then there’s expected losses on a team’s schedule… I’m willing to place this in the latter category and move on.

It was the defending champs after all. And you best believe they played like it last night in Denver. The Nuggets looked like a well oiled machine, finishing business as usual.

Whereas the Grizzlies? They played like a team with some 2-ways, 10-days, and dudes returning from injury. A team scraping to make it to the end of the season.

Now, all that to say the optimal part of the above passage? It’s that ‘returning from injury’ bit. Because after getting Desmond Bane back, Memphis is due for another gift this week.

The return of Brandon Clarke.

As the season—and Grizzlies—prepare for the conclusion of the season… There’s a chance to get most of their pieces back on the floor. And when that happens? They may bless us with seeing what this team is capable of.

As Memphis jockeys for draft position, here were two things from the game I enjoyed. As well as one thing I didnt’.

2 Things I Liked…

• Lamar Stevens, Back At It and Earning His Spot

After Desmond Bane blessed us with his return, Lamar Stevens was next on the list. After being side-lined with an abductor strain, Stevens returned to action. And wouldn’t you know? He’s done what he’s done the entire season.

Made winning plays, and kept proving his worth for the Grizzlies.

straight to the middy.

welcome back @LamarStevens11 pic.twitter.com/fZoWDFCRTk

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 26, 2024

Last night against the Nuggets, Stevens was Memphis’ leading bucket-getter. His stat line? Well he put up the following… 19 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, and 1 STL with absurd levels of efficiency. He shot the ball 6 of 10 from the field and made all 7 of his shots from the charity stripe.

All seven.

On a team that’s struggled with free throws in the past, that’s huge. And if we’re honest… Being able to go out and get your shot like that is something the Grizzlies have searched for. And searched for. And searched for.

They’ve found GG Jackson II… Could Stevens be another diamond the team’s found in the rough in this ‘lost’ season? When you consider the defense he brings to the table as well? It’s going to be tough to deny him.

Per Cleaning the Glass, here are his on/off stats with the Grizzlies this season… He’s allowing -9.5 PTS per 100 possessions. That’s in the league’s 97th percentile. Meanwhile, dudes have an eFG% of -8.5% shooting against him. That? Well that’s in the league’s 100th percentile.

Pair that with his ability to go out and score the ball? As he did last night? And that’s a hooper. And one doing his damnedest to prove he belongs in this team’s plans long term.

• Brandon Clarke, Returning Sooner Rather Than Later

Doubtful. That was the designation given to Brandon Clarke before last night’s game.

.@memgrizz status report, March 25 at @nuggets: pic.twitter.com/pwigh8AFhe

— Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) March 24, 2024

It was right over a year ago—and in Denver mind you—when BC suffered his Achilles’ injury. The very same injury that has kept him sidelined. Until tomorrow it looks like.

Because what’s after ‘Doubtful’? ‘Questionable’. And what does ‘Questionable’ usually mean for this Grizzlies team? When it shows up on the injury report?

Ding ding ding! If you said ‘Questionable means they’ll play right?’ then I’m prone to agree with you!

If this iteration of the front office has shown us anything… It’s that the ‘Questionable’ designation means that player is going to play. We’ve seen it time and time before.

Should the pattern hold, Clarke gets upgraded to ‘Questionable’ Wednesday… A home game against the Lakers… And he plays for the first time in over a year.

I for one can’t wait to see BC back out there. And the last three weeks of the season may wind up giving us a taste of what’s to come after all. And it may be beautiful.

…And 1 Thing I Didn’t…

• That pesky three point percentage

25.0%. That’s a twenty, plus a five, and a percentage. 11 of 44. Twenty five percent from deep.

That’s not going to cut it in the NBA. I don’t care what you say. To compete in the modern NBA, you must shoot the three ball better than that. At least if you want to win games.

How did Memphis do? To get to that 25.0%?

Des? He was 2 for 6… Jaren Jackson Jr.? 1 of 7… GG? 2 of 8… Santi Aldama? 1 of 3… Stevens? 0 for 1… Jake LaRavia? 0 for 7… DeJon Jarreau 1 of 4…

The only Grizzlies’ player that was worth his salt from deep last night? Scotty Pippen Jr. who was at least able to go 3 for 6.

Look, I get it. There are some night’s when your shot’s not falling. Plain and simple. But 25.0%? I don’t like to see that number in an NBA game at all.

Photo Credit: (David Zalubowksi/AP Photo)