Insider Insights: Undermanned Grizzlies Smother Heat in South Beach

Well color me surprised.

After being all but certain of Memphis losing in Miami—more so following the Terry Rozier news—boy… Was I wrong. Surprised. Flabbergasted.

You know? Insert whatever word you want there, I wasn’t planning on celebrating a dub is all. I’m happy about it don’t get me wrong. So so happy about it.

Because not only was this a dub… But it was a dub that had a great deal to take away from the game. And that’s despite missing as many bodies as the Grizzlies were missing.

The wins this team have managed to string together continiue impressing the crap out of me. And this game was no different. Memphis may be in better shape than expected after all.

If what happened last night—this team’s fight—is even a modicum of what to expect moving forward in the season… Well, I’ve got a feeling we may be smiling more often than not after all.

And to be honest that’s saying something.

Paging Z’s Shot

Remember pagers? Seems like such a forgotten time, a bygone era. It’s unfortunate those are similar words to describe my feelings towards Ziaire Williams.

At this point though? His shot’s lost. It’s a shade of it’s old self. In fact, I rarely recognize the youthful, energetic kid from his rookie year.

The Z we’ve gotten this year seems uncomfortable. And he seem out of sorts with the ball. Both qualities unbecoming for a player in the NBA.

Here are his shooting numbers since the MLK game against the Warriors… From the field: 1-6, 1-5, 2-9, 1-3, 0-8. From deep: 1-5, 0-2, 0-5, 1-1, 0-4.

Some quick math for folks keeping track at home… In the last four games Ziaire has gone 5-31 from the field and 2-17 with his treys… And no, that in fact is not a typo.

Those percentages—16.1/11.8%—are bad. Strike that. Those percentages are horrid. And again… Shot qualities unbecoming for a a player in the NBA.

If he’s able to find his shot again… And that’s quite the large if, if one were to ask me…There’s a chance he finds a spot on this roster as a ninth or tenth man. Otherwise? Well, Z may not be long for this squad.

Two-Ways To The Rescue

It wasn’t one. It wasn’t two. But it was three different two-way guys—current or otherwise—that pulled Memphis to a vicotry. Last night when they needed guys to show up most, it was these three hoopers that answered the call.

Vince Williams Jr. GG Jackson II. And Scotty Pippen Jr. Those were the Grizzlies’ saviors in Miami.

And I’ll wouldn’t you know it? Every bit of their heroics were necessary to eek out the dub. But that’s ok. If we’re gettingt his type of production from our young guys? You will not be hearing me complain.

Starting with Vince Williams Jr. who has been a revelation this year. The dude continues playing at an All-Defensive level, and the good news? It looks like his offense is beginning to become as much of a “sure thing” as his defense.

Look at his production over the past six games:

• 1/13/24 – 17 PTS, 8 REB, 8 AST, 2 STL
• 1/15/24 – 24 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL
• 1/18/24 – 10 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL
• 1/20/24 – 14 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL
• 1/22/24 – 18 PTS, 10 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL
• 1/24/24 – 25 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL

‘The Flying V’ continues to soar with these levels of production… And not only does he look like a piece of this core—the ideal three and d wing—moving forward…. But in a few years stands to have one of the biggest bargains of a contract in the league.

YEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHH! @Vincentwiliams | @spippenjr | @_ggjackson pic.twitter.com/dtAVNFF2ta

— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) January 25, 2024

Then there’s GG Jackson II. The current youngest player in the NBA. But you wouldn’t know if by watching the kid play. Because he’s hooping at a level beyond his years.

He’s got double digit points in four of his last six… But it’s been his three point shot that keeps impressing me. GG’s three point totals and percentages in that same six game span as Vince? He’s made 14 of his 25 shots from deep for an incredible 56.0% rate.

As a reminder the Grizzlies drafted him with the 45th pick in the draft. Again, it seems Memphis found a player capable of far outperforming his draft spot. And that’s not even the end of it.

Quick to the hoop 👀 @spippenjr pic.twitter.com/OHjMIa0Vd6

— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) January 25, 2024

And all this is without even mentioning Scotty Pippen Jr.

Name ring a bell? I would hope so. Descended from basketball royalty, Scotty was appearing in only his second game. His second career game with the Grizzlies I mean. Oh and his contract? One of the above two-ways mentioned.

Still, second game? It didn’t appear to matter. And not only did it not appear to matter… But it appears the Grizzlies may have stumbled into a solution. A solution to their problems at the backup point guard spot.

If Scotty keeps this up, he’ll force Memphis’ hand.

Off the bench last night he had 15 PTS, 6 REB, and 6 AST. More impressive? His shooting in the outing. His splits were 71.1/100.0/100.0%. That’s damn good for someone appearing in their second game with a team.

And again. Damn good for a guy on a two-way. Hat’s off to all three if we’re being honest. In a game where Jaren Jackson Jr.’s performance left us desiring more… You can’t say the same about the above two-way, three-headed monster.

Photo Credit (Marta Lavandier/AP Photo)