MEMPHIS – Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo has an intriguing way of gauging progress.
It typically comes when the team advances from resolving one set of circumstances to attacking new challenges.
Having emerged from a 4-11 start to win seven of their past nine games with their franchise point guard sidelined and their most decorated big man struggling to find consistency, the Grizzlies are on the cusp of a welcomed dilemma.
“I look at it as a positive problem,” Iisalo explained. “And we’re looking forward to that.”
That positive problem involves reacclimating catalyst Ja Morant from his injury absence and jumpstarting Jaren Jackson Jr.’s production as Memphis (11-13) takes the next steps toward turning its season around.
After a four-day stretch of recovery, rest and practice between games this week, the Grizzlies return to action Friday against the Jazz at FedExForum to conclude a three-game homestand.
Barring a change of course ahead of Friday’s tip-off, the Grizzlies appear on the verge of getting Morant back in the lineup from a right calf strain that has kept him out since Nov. 15. The two-time NBA All-Star continued to ramp up participation in practices this week in anticipation of rejoining a team that has been playing its best basketball of the season.
With role players flourishing as Iisalo’s system takes shape, the Grizzlies entered the week ranked first in the NBA in rebounding, third in assists percentage, fifth in defensive rating and sixth in overall net rating over the past 10 games.
That uptick has also coincided with an erratic stretch from Jackson Jr., who is averaging just 8.7 points and four rebounds while shooting 39.3-percent from the field so far in December. The quest for consistency has been a season-long struggle for Jackson, whose overall production is at its lowest point in four years.
Iisalo is committed to finding ways to get both star players going as the Grizzlies build on the foundation and momentum established the past few weeks. During that time, converted swingman Vince Williams Jr. took over the starting point guard duties and had breakout performances with games of 15 and 17 assists.
Combo guard Cam Spencer has emerged as the NBA’s third-best shooter from 3-point range, rookie swingman Cedric Coward has settled into a productive two-way contributor as a starter and Jaylen Wells has overcome an early-season slump.
In the frontcourt, Santi Aldama is powering a deep bench unit that leads the NBA in scoring and center Zach Edey’s rebounding and low-post dominance have had a profound impact overall.
In other words, the Grizzlies’ floor is stabilized and solid. The next phase of development involves tapping into the strengths of Morant and Jackson Jr. to help Memphis reach its ceiling.
“We’ve been able to weather the storm here without him, but of course, when he’s back, we’ll lean a lot on him and his creativity, especially on the ball” Iisalo said of Morant. “That will change a little bit of the other players’ roles. But I’ve always looked at it as this makes us look more robust for the future.”
Morant has been vocal from the sidelines during games and practices throughout his absence, and teammates have pointed to that engagement as a contributor to the team’s success.
Once back on the court, the Grizzlies’ leader in scoring and assists will also look to gradually gain a rhythm that has evaded him this season. Through the 12 games he’s played this season, Morant is shooting a career-worst 35.9-percent from the field and 16.7-percent from 3-point range while averaging 17.9 points and 7.9 assists.
Morant will be returning to a more confident supporting cast and a system that’s found success.
“Team ball is our best ball, honestly,” Williams Jr. insisted. “Everybody has been doing well as a whole, but as soon as Ja comes back, we’ll be even better. Everybody’s been relying on each other, and we can talk to each other on a high level and know we can figure it all out.”
The team’s development has been a steady work in progress since training camp. Stringing together wins in recent weeks has underscored the Grizzlies’ growth through adversity.
“Situations are going to happen when there are going to be injuries and foul trouble, and now you’ve developed a second role for a lot of these players,” Iisalo pointed out. “I look at that as a big strength for us.”
That strength has also revealed a more connected group as the season continues.
“Any time you have a team where the camaraderie is through the roof, things happen better on the court, because you’re happy for each other when things are going their way,” reserve center Jock Landale said. “The ego kind of leaves the building when it feels like it’s a connected group. There’s been a real effort to get to know one another better and that’s definitely translating.”
The next frontier is helping the franchise cornerstones find their footing.
With Jackson Jr., Iisalo believes it’s a matter of developing more balance.
“He’s really looking to play within the flow of the game, and I catch myself asking him to be a little more aggressive in some situations,” Iisalo mentioned. “There are several components there, but he’s a great player. He’s a very good player on the perimeter and a very good player on the inside. It’s just a matter of time that things open up for him.”
When it comes to Morant and Jackson, Iisalo is eager to solve the positive problems.