{"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
Aug 5, 20233 min read

Memphis Grizzlies 2021 Exit Interview Takeaways

Original date: 2021-06-05





The Memphis Grizzlies season came to its conclusion on Wednesday night after a loss to the Utah Jazz. Despite the tough outcome, the season was a resounding success for this young Grizzlies team. They gained experience through a vigorous 5-game series against the league’s best team, as well as two big-time wins in the inaugural play-in tournament over the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors.


Friday, the media had a chance to speak to the following:

  • Zach Kleiman

  • Taylor Jenkins

  • Ja Morant

  • Jaren Jackson Jr.

  • Jonas Valanciunas

  • Desmond Bane

  • Kyle Anderson

  • Dillon Brooks


Here are the biggest takeaways from the exit interviews.


Staying Locked In


The Memphis Grizzlies are focused on getting better right from the start of the offseason. All the players are ready for the opportunity to get better this offseason.


Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. said they were going to work on everything when it comes to their games. Wanting to surprise people? That’s probably the M.O., but they’re also just looking to do whatever it takes to take the next level of the games.


There were more specifics here as well. Jonas Valanciunas wants to focus on his long range shot and on staying in good, fit shape. In regards to the shot, Valanciunas added that with the jumper, it’d open up the floor more for drivers.


Dillon Brooks told the media he was going to take a few weeks off to recover, watch film and reflect on his season, and watch the playoff games to see what it takes to get to that level. He noted that he’s going to work a lot on his 3-point shot, as they couldn’t match Utah’s firepower from deep by makes and by volume. In addition, ball-handling and playmaking are other ways he’s looking to improve.


Desmond Bane’s focus in the offseason is working on his shot and his ball-handling. He also told the media he’ll be playing in a few games in the Vegas Summer League in August.


In the two Zoom’s since Utah’s loss, the players have emphasized how they’re locked in to make strides in the offseason.


At the beginning of the interview, Zach Kleiman said his goal is to bring the Memphis Grizzlies its first championship. A big question for a lot of these people is what they think they need to get to that point.


The consensus there was growth.


Valanciunas reminded everyone that this team started from 0 — new coach, new front office, and an all new team. In the second year together, they made the playoffs. It’s absolutely fair to say that it’s the next step, especially now that they got that experience under their belts and there will be a healthy offseason.


That vision is shared up and down — from Zach Kleiman down the roster. Decisions will be made at the draft and at the free agency period, but the newly-extended GM did stress how impactful it’ll be to have an offseason with lightened COVID restrictions.


There’s that growth mindset in Memphis, because this is only the beginning.


All eyes on Jaren Jackson Jr.


Two phrases were used to describe Jaren Jackson Jr. in yesterday’s exit interviews:


  1. Special talent.

  2. Franchise cornerstone.


There’s excitement around Jackson. He got better each and every game throughout his return. The big excitement is around the fact that he’ll get a healthy offseason to work on his game. After his rookie season, he was rehabbing a quad injury — and we know what went down after his sophomore year. This is the first time he’ll get an offseason where he’s not rehabbing an injury.


That's big time.


His teammates, Coach Jenkins, and Kleiman all recognize the importance of it, and they’re excited to see what he could do in that time. However, there’s no one more excited to get back in the lab than Jackson himself. He said he’s looking to find his own “niche” and “vibe” to guide him where he wants to go.


And now we await to see how this all shapes out. It could be a game-changer for him and for this franchise.


Jackson left us with this special nugget: “I hope there’s no ceiling.”


Quick Hits


  • Ja Morant has stayed confident in his shot, and doesn’t care about what any outside person has to say about his game. He’s going to keep letting it fly.

  • There was a pretty decent vibe that Justise Winslow may be back in the fold next season.

  • Zach Kleiman is still high on Brandon Clarke, and they’re “optimistic on what he can be moving forward.” He did point to injuries, but also added that there were just a lot of playable guys that had to be shuffled in and out of the rotation.

  • Dillon Brooks is still deciding on Team Canada, after playing a heavy load of minutes in the postseason and in the second half schedule of the regular season. He’s also a king at Booray:



  • Jonas Valanciunas’ wife designed his sick wolf jacket, and she is his stylist.


Thank you for sticking with GBB throughout the season, and we’re excited to bring you excellent offseason content.

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