{"uid":"Entry:6cecaf92-8ca1-48fb-ab3d-54c4623aced6","title":"Quick Recap: Grizzlies cook Nuggets in resounding win","dek":{"html":"The Memphis Grizzlies put together a massive win over the Western Conference’s top seed, Denver Nuggets."},"createdAt":"2023-02-26T01:20:21.000Z","url":"https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2023/2/25/23615255/quick-recap-memphis-grizzlies-cook-denver-nuggets-in-resounding-win-morant-tillman-nba","wordCount":777,"updatedAt":"2023-02-26T04:01:15.000Z","author":{"fullOrUserName":"Parker Fleming"},"authorProfile":null,"contributors":[],"communityGroups":[{"name":"Front Page"},{"name":"Quick Recap"}],"body":{"components":[{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"JvyufK","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Memphis Grizzlies returned to FedExForum for their first home game after the All-Star break, as the top-seeded Denver Nuggets rolled into town. The Grizzlies (Steven Adams) and Nuggets (Aaron Gordon) were both missing key players, but it still served as an anticipated bout on this Saturday slate of games."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"B6S8t9","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies and Nuggets started with a fast, back-and-forth pace. Xavier Tillman quickly scored 6 points off the bat. The Nuggets started off fine, but they cooled off significantly towards the end of the quarter. Ja Morant was pretty much able to get wherever he wanted on the floor, attacked the paint at will. The Grizzlies closed with a 28-20 lead after the first quarter."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"Dyiifk","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies made it rain from deep in the 2nd quarter — drilling 6 three-pointers in the quarter. Tyus Jones led the charge here, connecting on 4 triples, which really generated some flow in the offense when Morant sat. The Grizzlies used a 14-2 run to start the quarter to blow the doors open a little bit, generating a sizable double-digit lead quick. The Grizzlies finished with a 66-42 lead at halftime."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"kkc4wP","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies built their lead up past 30 points, and they didn’t budge. Their offense was still crisp, and they were going after 50/50 balls too — Morant included:"},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyEmbed","placement":{"id":"5chwY3","alignment":null},"embed":{"embedHtml":"

It's such a tone-setter when your star player goes after 50-50 balls this hard

And obviously the silky finish from Ja Morantpic.twitter.com/TazQjeT6Up

— Grizzly Bear Blues (@sbnGrizzlies) February 26, 2023
\n\n","provider":{"name":"Twitter"}}},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"Su2lAZ","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies closed with a 94-62 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"FGXpeu","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Nuggets pulled Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. at the start of the 4th quarter. Nothing totally eventful happened in the quarter. Luke Kennard and Tyus Jones hit a couple of 3’s to bring their totals to 4 and 5, respectively."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"06FwYI","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Grizzlies ended the game with Kennedy Chandler, Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia, David Roddy, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. The fans got treated with some good Jr. moments."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"TABBqq","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"Memphis Grizzlies close with a resounding 112-94 win."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyHeading","placement":{"id":"soyN84","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"Quick Takeaways"},"level":2},{"__typename":"EntryBodyList","placement":{"id":null,"alignment":null},"items":[{"line":{"html":"Stones back rolling. Tyus Jones went on an absolute heater in the 2nd quarter, and it was great to see him snap out of a funk lately. In his last 11 games, Jones has averaged 4.5 points and 3.6 assists on 33.9% shooting from the field and 14.3% from 3. He played with extra swagger and confidence on the offensive end, and when he’s doing that, the offense tends to hum and work its way around in the halfcourt. For the Grizzlies to officially navigate out of this weird month stretch of play, getting the “Tyus Stones” version of Jones will be crucial."},"placement":{"id":"BsqcVt"}},{"line":{"html":"X solid again. Xavier Tillman go the starting nod, so that the Grizzlies had a physical option against Nikola Jokic. He played rock-solid defense against Jokic, holding him to 15 points and 13 rebounds. The biggest difference was Jokic was minimized as a playmaker, only generating 3 assists. Tillman also was ready offensively, as he connected on all 6 of his attempts for 12 points, while also dropping 3 dimes. I don’t know his standing in the rotation once Steven Adams returns, but he’s reemerged as a good player to have in emergency situations."},"placement":{"id":"2u4lnp"}},{"line":{"html":"Sneaky Dillon game. We don’t need to delve much into the 2023 it’s been for Dillon Brooks, but he put together a sneaky steady game — probably his best in awhile. He connected on 5 of his 9 shot attempts, while making 2 of his 4 three-point tries. Everything he sought offensively came within the flow, nothing was forced. He was also instrumental in holding Jamal Murray into a 3-13 shooting night (1-5 from 3). It’s not the most eye-popping game we’ve seen from Dillon Brooks, but he doesn’t need to be on this version of the Grizzlies. He served as the perfect complementary piece within the system."},"placement":{"id":"4mfrlU"}},{"line":{"html":"Much-needed Grizz win. This is the kind of win that can turn the tide for the Memphis Grizzlies. From start to finish, they laid the smackdown on top-seeded Denver Nuggets. They minimized their star, made his supporting cast complete non-factors, and kept things flowing offensively. The Grizzlies have now won 4 of their past 6 games, but this one seems like it could be the foundation for a bounce-back into a massive month of March on the horizon."},"placement":{"id":"R5QTxN"}}],"ordered":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"Ocov0D","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"The Memphis Grizzlies will get a couple days off before they play the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Tuesday February 28th."},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false},{"__typename":"EntryBodyParagraph","placement":{"id":"2hiC3a","alignment":null},"contents":{"html":"Grizzly Bear Blues will be moving to Bluff City Media on 3/1, and you can subscribe here for insider Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers content. Use promo code “GBBLIVE” for 10% OFF an annual subscription. Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on Twitter and Instagram. For more Grizzlies talk, subscribe to the Grizzly Bear Blues podcast network on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and IHeart. "},"dropcap":false,"endmark":false,"lead":false}]}}
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Writer's pictureParker Fleming
Mar 9, 20244 min read

Kansas, Baylor March 2nd, 2024 Scouting Report

WHO: Kansas University vs. Baylor University

WHEN: March 2nd, 2024 -- Waco, TX

RESULT: Baylor 82, Kansas 74


I was due for another watch on Yves Missi -- who's provided great flashes the past few weeks. Kansas provided a formidable test with Hunter Dickinson. In addition, the trio of Ja'Kobe Walter, Johnny Furphy, and Kevin McCullar are interesting wing prospects in this draft class. So plenty of reason to check this out.


Yves Missi

  • 17 points (7-12 shooting, 3-3 from the free throw line), 5 rebounds (3 offensive), 1 block, 0 assists (0 turnovers), 0 fouls in 27 minutes

Offense: Missi popped offensively. He experimented a bit with his live-dribble creation near the elbow and off the short roll. Wow. Yeah, the process wasn’t pretty the whole time, but he showed some eye-popping flashes for a 7’0” big man. While teams won’t call on him to take opponents off the dribble, he’s working to evolve as a high-post big man — leaving optimism for short-roll potential. He’s still raw — evident through some of his drives and finishes. However, the idea of coupling his size, athleticism, and motor with some ball skills is certainly a tantalizing prospect from a 6'10" big man.



Offense One Play: I simply cannot leave it to just 1 play. These flashes are awesome.





Defense: Missi is a high-motor defender with the mobility to cover a ton of space. He’s comfortable defending up towards the level of the screen, displaying the foot speed to also tackle switching situations. He possesses quick hands that allow him to generate deflections, contest jumpers, and swat shots. One drawback I saw, his timing in drop was pretty spotty, as drivers were able to generate floaters — and his response to the shot wasn’t there.



Defense One Play:



Ja'Kobe Walter

  • 11 points (3-13 shooting, 2-9 from 3, 3-5 from the free throw line), 8 rebounds (2 offensive), 2 assists (1 turnover), 0 stocks, 3 fouls in 38 minutes.

Offense: Walter’s potential offensively is still in theory. He’s shooting sub-40% from the field and 33.5% from 3 (6.2 attempts per game). He typically operates off movement, and he knows how to get himself open in these sets. The shots aren’t falling, perhaps struggling on squaring his jumper or finding his legs off movement. He’s also not an advantage creator. While he had some solid drivers, he didn’t garner much separation from his man — opting him to either force a tough contested shot, or kick it back out to the perimeter. He’s not a deft playmaker, but he showed a sweet 2-man game with Missi.



Offense One Play:



Defense: Again, another theory skill. He has the tools to be a good defender with his 6’5” frame and 6’10” wingspan. He crashed the glass well. However, he still has room to grow here. His drive defense was pretty solid. He struggled with screen navigation — and yes, working around Hunter Dickinson’s screens is a tall task for sure. He died on ball screens, leaving him vulnerable to a mismatch in a forced switch. His growth as a 3-and-D wing will be one to monitor once he gets to the league.




Kevin McCullar

  • 20 points (9-19 from the field, 0-5 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line), 5 rebounds (2 offensive), 2 assists (3 turnovers), 2 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul in 31 minutes

Offense: McCullar’s offensive role is still clear even with his heightened role. He’s not a shot creator — nor will he be tasked with. His shooting has regressed in conference play, which will be pivotal for this role ceiling. He’s an instinctive cutter, and he also flows well off DHO’s and pick-and-roll’s. His lack of above-the-rim finishing made his drive attempts susceptible to a good contest. His best offensive trait though is how he can fuel his defense into offense.



Defense: I’m enamored with McCullar’s defensive potential. He possesses the size to defend positions 1-4. His lateral quickness is lightning quick, as he can cover ample amount of space and recover quickly. He’s a high-IQ defender that knows how to time passes to jump into lanes, and when to help defensively. He utilizes his size and physicality to pester drivers and stonewall them downhill. I don’t know where he’s ultimately picked, but a good team will fall in love with his defense rather quickly.



One play (offense + defense):




Quieter note

  • Johnny Furphy was rather silent in this game. When he’s not able to get clean looks from 3 or in transition, he’s not incredibly involved in the offense. Improving his live-dribble creation should help. Defensively, he knows how to use his size as an advantage defending the perimeter. However, he still needs to improve with his mobility. There’s something I can’t put my thumb on with his defensive stance — as he’s more bent over with his back, and his legs seem a bit stiff. By the way, on that note, Roshan Potliuri posted an awesome breakdown on Swish Theory, highlighting Johnny Furphy’s role malleability and the chain of skills that could elevate his ceiling.


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