Are the Memphis Grizzlies assembling Grit N Grind 2.0?
Joshua Midgett

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identity

( ahy-den-ti-tee )

  • condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing:
The concept of identity can be a complicated, yet important matter in sports & life. I believe we attach ourselves to certain things and allow it to define or represent us. For us in Memphis as Grizzlies fan, GRIT N GRIND is that thing. The GnG era brought us many great memories & moments, including the most successful stretch in franchise history.

As of last season, with the departures of Tony Allen & Zach Randolph most of us had accepted the fact that GnG was becoming a thing of the past…..
Then came the 2018 NBA Draft and along with it a renewed focus on the identity that has set Memphis apart from the rest of the NBA. While the rest of the league has been focusing on flash & star power, the Grizzlies have given indications that they plan on continuing to go against the grain.
As for the prospects themselves, they definitely fit the Grit n Grind mold.

JAREN JACKSON Jr. 4th OVERALL PICK:

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Jackson averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 1.1 assists in 35 games at Michigan State. He has widely been considered as one of the top big men in this year’s draft and shot up the draft boards following the season. At 6-foot-11, Jackson is the current Big 10 defensive player of the year, averaging three blocks per game in his only college season.

“I’m just trying to come in and extend the culture they’ve already set,” Jackson said. “I think the unique thing about Memphis aside from other teams is we have a unique mix of a bunch of different things. You have a new coach, mixed with veteran players, mixed with young players who are just as excited to be there. So there’s a lot of people who can teach you, a lot of new things you can learn, as well as a winning culture with the front office, that wants to be the best team in the Western Conference.”

My only negative with this pick is that fact that we seem to keep drafting the same type of guy every year. Deyonta Davis, Jarell Martin, Ivan Rabb are ALL recent draft picks, ALL power forwards, & that’s not including Jaymycheal Green.

JAVON CARTER 32ND OVERALL PICK:

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Carter is a two-time national defensive player of the year & was chosen No. 32 overall by the Memphis Grizzlies — with the second pick of the second round. He’s the first West Virginia player taken in the NBA draft since 2010.

Carter averaged 17.3 points, 6.6 assists, 3 steals and 4.6 rebounds per game as a senior. He is the school’s eighth-best scorer (1,758 points) and career steals leader (330). He was also second all-time with (559 career assists).

I predicted that this would be the Grizzlies pick here & I think he’s a perfect fit for Memphis. Tough minded point guard in the mold of a Patrick Beverly & perfect for the Grit n Grind revitalization project.

 

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