Grizzlies fine tune in mini-camp type week
MEMPHIS – Preparing for a relentless start to the regular-season schedule required some preseason foresight for these retooled Grizzlies.
As coach Tuomas Iisalo worked with the front office and opposing NBA teams to craft a series of exhibition games, the priority was to push the Grizzlies through a rigorous stretch that modeled what they’ll face when games count in the standings.
The result was a four-game exhibition slate in which the Grizzlies played their first three games over a span of five nights as they adapted to the demands of a high-paced system.
Those three games last week were in three different cities across two time zones.
It was intentional.
That’s because the Grizzlies’ Oct. 21 season and home opener against the Jazz is immediately followed by a four-game road trip out West. They’ll play their first four games over six nights across three time zones.
In essence, what the Grizzlies endured last week mirrors what’s soon to come.
“I honestly didn’t know that,” swingman Jaylen Wells realized. “But with the pace we play, it’s definitely important for us to keep up with that type of schedule, to get a taste of that early. So, I’m kind of glad we’re doing that.”
The Grizzlies are now in regroup mode with several days to assess their progress before their final preseason game at home Friday against the Hornets.
Iisalo has seen steady development in a week that opened with last Monday’s 132-outburst in a win in Atlanta. That was followed by a physically demanding matchup in a close home loss to Orlando, which preceded Friday’s encouraging bounce-back effort in a road win at Chicago.
The scoreboard results weren’t necessarily the focus for the Grizzlies. Instead, it’s the collective resolve as they sort through lineup combinations while working to get rookie third overall pick Cam Boozer acclimated and third-year center Zach Edey up to speed from offseason surgery.
“We’ve intentionally scheduled those three games … to develop different things and establish chemistry with the groups that are going to play together,” Iisalo explained. “Our weekend (was) spent evaluating and recovering from this stretch, which was designed to test our guys’ conditioning. Overall, we’ve taken steps that were very valuable for us. Not just for the fact that it mimics the NBA (schedule) rhythm and gives us a chance to get used to it, but because of the reps we got from three completely different types of teams.”
On the heels of a preseason gauntlet of games, the Grizzlies can gauge growth in key areas.
Edey continues to work his way into game condition following offseason ankle and elbow surgeries. Initially projected to be available for the regular season, Edey is deemed “ahead of schedule” after participating in training camp and playing the past two preseason games.
The 7-foot-4 franchise anchor built on his admittedly rusty 10-minute stint Wednesday against Orlando with Friday’s strong outing against the Bulls. Edey was more assertive, made all three of his shot attempts and had 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block in 16 minutes.
The clearest signs of his confidence and mobility came on two plays that didn’t actually count. At one point, he took off from just inside the free-throw line on a vicious dunk attempt over a Bulls defender that resulted in a foul. Later, Edey stepped in front of the rim to vehemently reject a dunk by Bulls rookie lottery pick Caleb Wilson that led to another foul.
Those types of explosive plays give the Grizzlies plenty of hope after the former First Team NBA All-Rookie selection was limited to just 11 games last season by injuries.
“I feel really good with where my body is right now, and it’s about getting my wind and my conditioning back,” Edey assessed. “But moving around, jumping and cutting, I feel great. My legs feel a lot better and my conditioning feels a lot better than last (Wednesday’s) game. I just want to keep getting better.”
With Edey back, there’s also more clarity with the starting lineup. In his two preseason games, Edey was joined by point guard Ty Jerome, wings Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward, with Boozer at power forward.
Without Edey, that four-man group was a bit sluggish in the opening stages of last Monday’s game in Atlanta. There were also struggles initially Wednesday against the Magic in Edey’s debut. On Friday, however, the starting group was a collective plus-19 in the first half in Chicago.
“In two of the three games, our ball-movement was really nice, and we’re finding open guys, sharing the ball and have good spacing,” Iisalo pointed out. “The effort has been there. Then, there are situations where we still need to improve. It’s rim protection and our rotations, synchronizing all five players in movement if somebody gets beat, and defensive rebounding.”
Offensively, the Grizzlies have been balanced – with Jerome, Boozer and reserve GG Jackson all scoring in double figures in each preseason game. Memphis scored 81 points in the first half against the Hawks, notched 31 assists against the Magic and dominated the first half against Chicago when primary rotation players were on the court.
Through three exhibitions, the Grizzlies rank in the top 10 in the league in preseason scoring, field-goal percentage, assists and pace. Defensively, to Iisalo’s point, Memphis falls in the bottom third in rebounding and rim protection metrics.
There’s work to be done.
That will be a point of emphasis this week as the Grizzlies fine tune.
“Coach has a system, with some guys having already been here, but a lot of us are picking it up as new guys getting used to it to sharpen for the season,” veteran forward Jerami Grant said. “We already came here in shape. Now it’s about the game processing slowing down to get ready for the regular season.”
Reserve guard Scotty Pippen Jr. agreed.
“Everyone is playing different roles and different minutes, so we’re still getting used to it,” Pippen Jr. suggested. “We’re glad it’s still preseason, so we can go back and evaluate now and work on what’s next.”
The Grizzlies reconvened Monday for what might feel like a week of mini-camp ahead of Friday’s final preseason tuneup.
That’s intentional, too.
“To build it back up,” Iisalo confirmed. “It’s always a tricky proposition this time of the year because, as a coach, you feel a strong urge to cram a lot of different tactical stuff in there to make sure we have all the Xs and Os covered. But it’s very important we don’t overdo that. We’re in a good place. We just have to make sure we keep pounding that rock, keep making incremental progress.”
That steady improvement is ideal, even as the Grizzlies remain a work in progress.