NBA Daily: First Quarter Grades: Southwest Division
As November draws to a close, the mark has been broached by the NBA. Twenty games might not seem like a whole lot, but there’s a lot that can be taken away from the play of any group through this stage in this season.
The season has been a surprising one so much, even more so to get the teams which live in the Southwest branch. Down and up, the Southwest has not performed how anyone expected it to.
How have these teams?
Memphis Grizzlies — B+
Grit and Grind hasn’t made a comeback, but this year was began by the Memphis Grizzlies like it had been 2013.
While they have come back down from a sudden start, that the 12-8 Grizzlies sit at the peak of the branch and appear much improved by the 22-60 group they ran out onto the court last season. Mike Conley, who’s averaged 20.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 20 games, has rebounded after he missed most of last season due to injury, and his return has his veteran partner in crime, Marc Gasol.
Gasol has fostered his numbers following an abysmal 2017; the Spaniard is among five players this year to average at least 18 points, nine rebounds, one steal and one block per game. Meanwhile, Garrett Temple, Kyle Anderson and Shelvin Mack have demonstrated capable additions too.
Rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. has also played at a high level; the former Michigan State Spartan has averaged 12.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, a steal and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 34.9 percent on 2.2 three-point attempts per game.
The Grizzlies were not expected by many to lead the branch at the quarter mark, or maybe some markers, this year. However, with Houston Rockets underperforming and all the New Orleans Pelicans to a level, this is where they have found themselves. They may not hold all season, but they can consider a success thus far.
Read more: thenewright.news