NASHVILLE – After three days of intense practices 200 miles from their home base, the Grizzlies believe they’ve covered significant ground as they return to Memphis to continue preparations for the regular season.
Franchise catalyst Ja Morant shared the evidence.
“I feel we’re more together, competing at a higher level than we have in recent years,” Morant assessed of his team’s training camp workload. “There was a lot of bumping, a lot of contact, a lot of trash-talking. We’re pushing each other to get to that next level. For us to have this opportunity coming off last season, we’ve been waiting for this. It’s here now.”
There’s still plenty of work ahead as the Grizzlies reveal their progress in front of fans at FedExForum for Sunday’s open practice ahead of Monday’s exhibition opener at Dallas.
The Grizzlies entered training camp Tuesday to working their way through multiple objectives as they look to bounce back from last season’s injury-riddled 27-55 campaign.
By the time they finished their third practice in as many days at The Ensworth School, some early groundwork was laid with three weeks left before the Oct. 23 regular season opener.
There were very specific items on the training camp checklist. It included reestablishing a cohesive bond among a core group in Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart, who were limited to just four games together last season.
Another priority was to the lay the initial framework to a new offensive system predicated on a high-tempo pace, extensive spacing and off-ball movement. Jenkins tweaked his coaching staff by adding five new assistants to jumpstart the Grizzlies, who ranked 30th in the league in offensive rating last season and 29th in effective field goal percentage.
Much of that sluggish production from last season can be attributed to a historic rash of injuries as the Grizzlies endured 564 games collectively missed to player injuries or illness. But even when Memphis posted top-12 rankings in offensive efficiency overall the previous three season, they still struggled at times to execute in half-court situations, especially in the playoffs.
While Morant addressed the higher levels of accountability and connectivity among key players, Jenkins underscored how the instillation on offense remains an encouraging work in progress.
“They’ve been taxed these three days, but they’ve responded day after day,” Jenkins surmised. “The approach was really good just building off what we’ve installed. We’re far from where we need to be offensively and defensively, so that’s what we’ll do over the next couple weeks. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the first three days, but I’m always going to want more.”
That never-satisfied mentality continues to manifest on defense, where Memphis seeks to perform at the top-five level it sustained in back-to-back, 50-win seasons from 2021-2023.
Even through the struggles of last season, the Grizzlies ranked among the NBA’s top teams in combined steals and blocks. The goal this season, provided relative health, is to establish a more aggressive approach with Jackson, Smart and 7-foot-4 rookie center Zach Edey anchoring a unit that wants to apply more full-court pressure to force turnovers.
The Grizzlies subscribe to the theory that the key to more efficient and effective offense is the ability to capitalize on an active and disruptive defense. With Edey poised to step in as a physically imposing and rim-protecting starting center, Jackson could revert to his more flexible and dominant role from his 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year season.
In theory, the upside is endless.
“This system, on both ends of the floor, is going to allow us to play to our strengths,” said Smart, the NBA’s 2022 Defensive Player of the Year whose first season in Memphis was halted by injuries. “We have everything we need. And for us to be able to have that versatility will be key for us.”
Another mission in camp was to develop depth on the wing as the Grizzlies work through some injury issues that will impact camp and the start of the season. Jackson, who suffered a low-grade hamstring strain at Tuesday’s opening practice, is expected to focus on recovery and conditioning during the preseason as the team takes a cautious approach with his status.
The Grizzlies were already without forwards GG Jackson (foot surgery recovery) and Vince Williams Jr (leg stress fracture). GG Jackson is sidelined until early December while Williams will be re-evaluated later this month to determine his return timetable.
Those absences have created opportunities for others to emerge during the five-game preseason slate. Indications are power forward Santi Aldama and swingmen Jake LaRavia and rookie Jaylen Wells have stood out in camp with consistent production.
Meanwhile, the biggest newcomer is quickly growing acclimated.
Edey, the No. 10 overall pick in June’s NBA Draft, reported to camp 10 pounds lighter than his listed weight at 300 pounds. Leaner, lighter on his feet and quickly grasping NBA concepts on both ends of the floor, Edey has impressed teammates and coaches with his adaptability.
“Impacting winning is a little bit different at this level, so I’ve just got to make that adjustment and keep learning,” said Edey, a two-time NCAA National Player of the Year at Purdue. “Just getting in here and finally getting to see how it all goes has been great. I’ve just tried to listen to them and learn from them, and they’ve been great coming up to me, talking me through things, getting me up to speed. That’s what is great about it. They keep it open.”
It’s also important to keep an open mind as the Grizzlies work through their ongoing development process to get ready for the season.
“There’s a rejuvenated focus on what we can accomplish, but we understand we have to put in an incredible amount of work,” Jenkins said. “I’ve seen it over these three days coming off the summer. Talk is cheap. These guys recognize it. We have to start with the conversation, but we’ve got to put in into action.”
Morant vows there will continue to be joy in this early season journey.
Fans will see it from the start.
“No matter what happened in the past, I feel we have a lot of joy, a lot of happiness and you’re going to see a connected team,” Morant promised fans who’ll get their first look at the Grizzlies on Sunday. “Come out, show support. You know we love to see you. You know we need you all this season to accomplish what we want. So, let’s have some fun.”
The Grizzlies are setting the initial foundation for the season.
They’re not forgetting to enjoy the process along the way.