3 players from the Memphis Grizzlies that Utah Jazz fans should keep an eye on
By Chad Porto
These are the three players from the Memphis Grizzlies who could be fun to watch.
The Utah Jazz are about to square off with the Memphis Grizzlies again, and the Jazz really need a win. Just 2-7 on the season, the Jazz are getting a break as they’re taking on the 1-7 Grizzlies. The Grizz are still without Ja Morant and the loss of their best player, plus the injury to Steven Adams has slowed the squad down dramatically.
They’re a slower, less impressive team and they’re turning to the likes of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to help slow the tide of losses the team is dealing with. Even with the arrival of Marcus Smart, the Grizzlies aren’t able to put together too many good quarters of basketball, resulting in them being right among the Jazz as the worst teams in the league.
It is only the 10th game of the year, but both teams have to start turning things around now, and if they don’t, the season will be lost for both squads. So, while we can’t look forward to winning basketball at the moment in Salt Lake, we can look to see who among our incoming opponents is worth watching. So because we love basketball almost as much as we love the Jazz, here are three players we think you’d enjoy watching from the Grizzlies.
Desmond Bane
While he’s posting his worst three-point shooting percentage of his career so far, he’s still dropping 25 points per game. He’s going to be a key player for the Jazz’s perimeter defense to slow down. Limiting how many touches he gets will be crucial, but if he goes off, as others have already against the Jazz, it could be a bad night.
Jarren Jackson Jr.
Walker Kessler’s former Team USA teammate, Jarren Jackson Jr. is trying to show the Grizz and the NBA that he can be a viable number two option. He’s in his sixth season and posting a career-high 22 points per game. Well known for his defense, a fact Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz will have to contend with, Jackson improving on offense will be a problem for teams all year, including the Jazz and the aforementioned Kessler.
Santi Aldama
He’s not the Grizzlies’ third-best player by far, but he is someone the Jazz could have an interest in if they’re able to turn their season around. He’s a power forward who’s shooting 43% from three this season while pulling down 6.5 rebounds per game. If he gets shipped out to Salt Lake City, assuming the Jazz try to land him in their quest for the playoffs, then he’d be the perfect piece for Utah off the bench.