OKLAHOMA CITY – As comeback stories go, there’s not a better potential script developing in these NBA playoffs than the one Marvin Bagley III is positioned to craft.
In fact, Bagley perfectly embodies the daunting plight the Grizzlies face as they regroup for Game 2 from a historic, 51-point loss to No. 1 seed Oklahoma City in the series opener.
Bagley, the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, knows what it’s like to be counted out before barely getting a chance to develop to full potential. Injuries, struggles to consistently produce and constant attrition have hindered Bagley’s seven-year career.
For the Grizzlies, similar issues have contributed to their turbulent season.
So, Bagley’s message about resilience and effort comes from experience as Memphis looks to find its footing in this series against hefty odds and Thunder dominance.
“We put ourselves in a tough position early, and having to fight back like that is always tough,” Bagley said of the Grizzlies’ predicament. “If we play how we (intend to) play, we won’t be in those positions. Fix things we know are fixable, come out Game 2 and attack the game plan.”
With positive takeaways limited from the worst playoff loss in franchise history, Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo listed three encouraging aspects his team carries into Game 2 on Tuesday.
First, both Iisalo and star guard Ja Morant insist the Grizzlies will never play that badly again after shooting 6-for-34 on threes and committing 24 turnovers OKC converted into 24 points.
Secondly, the goal of winning one of the first two games in Oklahoma City is still attainable despite the Thunder beating Memphis 10 straight times and five in a row by double figures.
Thirdly, the boost Bagley provided is something to build on the rest of the series as the Grizzlies look for contributors beyond Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. In Game 1, that core trio was limited to a combined 30 points on 11-of-42 shooting and produced eight turnovers.
Bagley matched Morant with a team-high 17 points, having made all eight of his shot attempts to go with five rebounds, two steals and a block in 16 minutes off the bench. That effort came in Bagley’s first career playoff game in seven NBA seasons. It followed another strong game off the bench in Friday’s Play-In Tournament win over Dallas that secured Memphis the No. 8 seed.
That productive trend for Bagley started in the regular-season finale on April 13, when he notched his first double-double of an injury-plagued season with 25 points and 12 rebounds.
With Sunday’s stinker behind them, the Grizzlies are focused on necessary adjustments for Game 2. The problem is that the Thunder so thoroughly dominated every aspect of the game, there isn’t just one or two areas the Grizzlies can prioritize for improvements.
But three key adjustments center on turnovers, transition and toughness.
Limiting turnovers has been problematic for the Grizzlies all season against the Thunder, whose physicality on the perimeter and swarming help defense have forced Memphis into mistakes. Cutting down turnovers is essential if the Grizzlies have any chance to extend this series.
“They put relentless pressure on the ball,” Bane admitted. “Taking care of the ball and giving ourselves a chance to get good shots will solve a lot.”
Neutralizing the transition edge is another adjustment the Grizzlies look to make after they were outscored 27-5 in fastbreak points. OKC is one of the best teams in the league in scoring quickly off turnovers and preventing the Grizzlies from getting into any rhythm on offense.
“We were very bad there,” Iisalo surmised. “And they were very good. Our message is simple. You’re in a playoff series. It’s best of seven. It doesn’t matter if you win by one point on a buzzer beater or by 50 points, you only get one win. Luckily for us, there’s only one way to go from this, and that’s up. We will analyze and fix those things that hurt us. But there are a lot of things.”
While metrics can measure the impact of turnovers and transition opportunities, there’s a different barometer for toughness. The Grizzlies must be far more competitive defensively and play with a psychological edge that allows them to respond to in-game adversity.
The Thunder’s 51-point blowout Sunday came with presumptive league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributing just 15 points on a lethargic 4-for-13 shooting effort. With six Thunder players scoring in double figures, the Grizzlies can’t get bullied again by OKC’s balance.
Morant was asked how will the Grizzlies get connected defensively to bounce back Tuesday?
“Be exactly that word you just said – connected,” Morant responded. “We should all be on a string out there. When somebody’s on the ball, he should know the other four players have his back. As the ball moves, everybody else moves. Guard your yard and have your brothers’ back.”
Which brings this back to Bagley, who is on a contract that expires after this season.
Whereas many may see this as an overwhelming obstacle in OKC, Bagley views it as an inspiring opportunity to showcase resilience.
He can look across the court in this series – and this entire playoff field – and feel he belongs again. Bagley was selected near the top of that 2018 draft class that has produced key players in many of the matchups in these playoffs.
He’s teammates with Jackson, selected two spots after Bagley at fourth in that draft. Gilgeous-Alexander was somehow the No. 11 pick. Third overall pick Luka Doncic is spearheading the Lakers; seventh pick Wendell Carter Jr. is anchoring Orlando’s front line; No. 10 pick Mikal Bridges is part of the Knicks’ core; No. 14 pick Michael Porter Jr. is contributing to the Nuggets; and even No. 17 pick Donte DiVincenzo is balling with the Timberwolves this postseason.
Bagley’s path to these playoffs has been painful at times, and uniquely different.
He stopped comparing himself to contemporaries a long time ago. He’s instead embraced chances to learn from many of them, especially Jackson, after he arrived in the February trade deadline deal that sent Marcus Smart to Washington.
“I follow all of those guys and what they’re doing, but I don’t judge myself against them,” Bagley recently said. “My journey was different for a lot of reasons. But all I can do is put in the work, keep leaning on my faith and know that what God intends for me to do is for me to do.”
Jackson applauds Bagley’s approach and mentality.
“Seeing him come up from where he’s come, knowing him since we were 14, 15 years old, he’s a terrific talent,” Jackson said. “He’ll pick up a bunch of things from me, and there’s stuff a lot of us are picking up from him. His approach to everything, how he works. He doesn’t get too high or too low about anything. And that’s why he’s able to produce through anything.”
That now includes providing a bright spot amid an overall bleak series opener for the Grizzlies. Iisalo credits Bagley for filling the bench void of a versatile post player and rebounder created by the season-ending knee injury Brandon Clarke suffered last month.
“Marvin’s performance was extremely encouraging,” Iisalo said. “In the absence of Brandon, we have not been strong in those minutes. And it seems like we’ve found a solution with Marvin.”
The odds of winning this series may be steep. But so, too, has been Bagley’s journey. Regardless of the obstacles ahead, Bagley is determined to not take any opportunity for granted.
“It makes you appreciate it more,” Bagley said of his plight. “All the moments you go through – the work you put in when it doesn’t equal out to games. To finally be in a situation where you see it paying off, getting an opportunity to affect the game in a positive way, it feels good. That’s my mindset. Come in, play aggressive with energy and get things going a little bit. That’s all it is.”
The Grizzlies will need plenty to go right to rebound in Game 2 at OKC.
Another Bagley boost would definitely contribute to the cause.