Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones Jr. discuss how Memphis could adjust its offense with Desmond Bane now in Orlando – including why Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. will hold the key to Memphis takign the next step this season. Check out the full conversation on “The Dunker Spot and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
Let’s talk about the Memphis Grizzlies.
My excitement level for this group starts here.
With ideally the return of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., and more responsibility for both of them because Desmond Bane is no longer there.
A legit return to Ja Morant just seems like a fun time, and if there’s any consistency with the pull-up jumper, mid-range or from three, to complement the drives and the playmaking, this is once again going to be a Memphis group where we hit January and think, wait a minute, how are they the three seed right now?
I’m excited to see Ja.
I’m excited to see Jaren Jackson continue to grow as a half-court creator.
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We saw some really big strides from him last year and I’m very excited about the top two, whenever they are available.
What leap does Jaren Jackson Jr. take if there’s another one in there?
How much opens up for Ja Morant?
And can they build a base offensively for everyone else around those two?
I think that is the intrigue for me.
That is what I’m looking to see.
Can Memphis operate in a zone where in the half court, we have movement, keep pressure on you.
We can really hurt you and you have to defend Ja Morant and you have to deal with Jaren Jackson Jr. Is it going to come together in a way that allows Memphis to take off?
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They look different, they feel different, but they do have the same mindset.
Offensively in the half court, what are you opening up for Ja Morant?
How much of this movement is going to pop for other people, you know, can Desmond Bane take a leap?
Can Jalen Green help out?
Like, what do you have to keep pressure on teams?
And so I think Ja Morant, as you said, is going to be a massive piece to this.
He’s going to have to get downhill and put pressure on teams and score at a consistent level, make plays, and draw defenses.
They are sneaky in the sense that we don’t exactly know what all they have to a degree.
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But we know what they can do.
So that’s where I’m like, I just need to see y’all play.
I need y’all to get healthy and see y’all play and see what happens because here’s the tough part about the Western Conference, guys.
You can have all the talent and potential in the world.
You get off to a rough start.
It’s an uphill climb.
So they need to hit the ground running and put those on the spot where they can figure some things out.