Welcome to the NBA Hangover. We jot down NBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
Dillon Brooks got paid by the Grizzlies.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Glenn James/Getty Images.)
The Grizzlies are doing fantabulous, thank you very much.
As we have mentioned here many times, this year was supposed to be a rebuilding season. They’ll get the young guys like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr. some burn. Head coach Taylor Jenkins will get some coaching experience. And they decided to eat some cap space by acquiring Andre Iguodala, who was pretty much a trade asset as there was an understanding that Iguodala didn’t want to play for a rebuilding team.
Somewhere along the line, the Grizzlies put it all together. They went on a 7-game winning streak last month. Then they recovered from consecutive losses to win 6 of their next 7, including a road victory over the Mavericks on Wednesday night. For a young team (Jae Crowder being the oldest active member of the roster), it’s pretty impressive how they had been playing defensively. And few teams can keep up with the youthful exuberance of the Grizzlies.
Wednesday night also saw them trade Iguodala to Miami (who shockingly got a two-year, $30 million extension with the Heat with the latter year being a team option). The final package hasn’t been determined yet as the Heat are going for it all by trying to acquire Danilo Gallinari from Oklahoma City.
However, part of that package includes Justise Winslow going to Memphis. Winslow has been injured quite a bit during his career but his versatility and defensive chops (plus he’s only 23) provide another potentially good young piece for the Grizzlies. Memphis could trade away Solomon Hill and Crowder as they left the floor before the Grizzlies’ game against the Mavs. That could leave Jonas Valanciunas as the oldest player on the Memphis roster at the grizzled old age of 27.
The Grizzlies weren’t done. Dillon Brooks, who was very vocal about Iguodala’s choice of not playing with Memphis, got a three-year, $35 million extension (and, of course, he couldn’t resist taking another shot at Iguodala). Brooks has bounced back in a huge way this season, averaging 16.1 points (third on the team in scoring) and shooting .399 from behind the arc.
Memphis has been outstanding in their rebuilding. Their trade for Mike Conley netted them Grayson Allen, Brandon Clarke (off the Darius Bazley trade), and Crowder (who could be part of that Winslow trade). They were able to get Chandler Parsons off the books for Solomon Hill (also probably part of the Winslow trade). They got a first round pick in 2024 to go along with Iguodala (who is DEFINITELY part of the Winslow deal). Remnants of the Conley trade got them De’Anthony Melton (as well as Josh Jackson, who is still TBD to their plans). They got Tyus Jones off the market. And, of course, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson, Jr. are their franchise cornerstones. That is ALL since the summer.
Pretty much nearly masterclass work by the Grizzlies, who seemed to be just another rebuilding team as recently as the turning of the year at 13-22.
GRIZZ IN MY PANTS.
Bullet Passes
It’s hard not to admire the Toronto Raptors from afar. I have raved about them several times on this site (some examples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). They did another amazing thing this season as they came back from 10 down with 2:20 left and scored 11 straight to beat the tough Indiana Pacers. Them Raptors are the champions until further notice.
It’s still interesting to see what the Golden State Warriors are going to do for this season and the summer afterwards. They’re expected to bounce back once everyone is healthy but they were also expected to get Iguodala back after a one-year sabbatical from the team. What are they going to do with D’Angelo Russell?
I’m a little sad that Gallinari is going to be dealt since I wanted to see what OKC could do with their current team. They have been a pleasant surprise in the league. But we’ll see who they get back as the final pieces have not been determined just yet.
The Jazz have suddenly gone cold with 5 straight losses. They had a 19-2 run before this skid. They couldn’t beat the Rockets that didn’t have their top players last week. They couldn’t win in San Antonio. They couldn’t fan the flames of a Damian Lillard and they’ve lost twice to the Nuggets. There’s really no explanation here other than they should be better defensively.
That triple-double by Nikola Jokic, though. 30-21-10!
The Scoreboard
PHX 108 (20-31) @ DET 116 (19-34)
ORL 100 (22-29) @ BOS 116 (35-15)
GS 88 (12-40) @ BRK 129 (23-27)
IND 118 (31-20) @ TOR 119 (37-14)
ATL 127 (14-38) @ MIN 120 (15-35)
CLE 103 (13-39) @ OKC 109 (31-20)
MEM 121 (26-25) @ DAL 107 (31-20)
DEN 98 (36-16) @ UTA 95 (32-18)
MIA 111 (34-16) @ LAC 128 (36-15)
Watch This Play
We talked about that Raptors comeback, right? Here’s Serge Ibaka making the eventual game-winner as they completed their near-miraculous comeback against the Pacers.
(VIDEO CREDIT: Bleacher Report.)
CHAMPIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
GG.
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
TNLP on FaceBook.
For the rest of the season, I will sign off with GG, which usually means “Good Game.” But we also know “Gigi” is Gianna Bryant’s nickname. This will be my tribute to her.