Wolves hiring Marquise Watts

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Well, at least Ja Morant is expected to play tonight. We know that he's entertaining, yes, but not very effective. The Grizzlies just can't win games with him playing the bulk of the minutes. He's all flash and no substance. He's fun to watch, but he's not a winner. The Wolves are really dodging a bullet with Tyus Jones having to come off the bench and play his typical 20-minutes. Thank goodness the Grizzlies are too stupid to check the holy on/off metrics!

I think he learned a lot sitting on the bench and watching Tyus Jones captain the team to a massive turnaround. He's picked up where Tyus left off it seems to me. Sometimes guys just need a little break and reflection time!

That's certainly one explanation. I think Ja Morant was already playing at a high level before his absence, but his teammates were inconsistent and underwhelming. Guys around him were playing below what they shown as recent as last season. When Morant missed time it forced those supporting elements to step up and help carry the load -- specifically Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Dillon Brooks also returned while Morant was out. It also didn't hurt that Memphis played mostly below .500 teams during that stretch. There are a lot of factors at play here -- more than just "Tyus Jones led the Grizzlies to a lot of wins."

In any event, Jones remains a serviceable backup point guard, but that team doesn't amount to anything without Morant for the foreseeable future.

[FNG]

Well, at least Ja Morant is expected to play tonight. We know that he's entertaining, yes, but not very effective. The Grizzlies just can't win games with him playing the bulk of the minutes. He's all flash and no substance. He's fun to watch, but he's not a winner. The Wolves are really dodging a bullet with Tyus Jones having to come off the bench and play his typical 20-minutes. Thank goodness the Grizzlies are too stupid to check the holy on/off metrics!

I think he learned a lot sitting on the bench and watching Tyus Jones captain the team to a massive turnaround. He's picked up where Tyus left off it seems to me. Sometimes guys just need a little break and reflection time!

Yep, it seems to have helped him because they have stayed hot. And frankly the Grizzlies are very good whether Ja plays or not...a jaw-dropping 11-2 when he doesn't, but a still respectable 18-12 when he does. One of those 18 wins was their impressive win over Golden State, where (small sample size alert) Ja was a -1 for the game while Tyus was a +20.

Ja is averaging almost 25 PPG this season, so I think he has earned the right to have PatBev draped all over him tonight...that is, if Pat is healthy. And if Pat plays, I suspect they will try to hide Ja on defense against him...the Grizzlies give up 6.8 more points per 100 when Ja is on the court, and 5.2 fewer points when Tyus is on the court...pretty significant polar opposite results. I'm actually surprised Memphis doesn't play the two of the together more like Finch is doing with Russell and Beverley...they've only played together 231 possessions, but they are an impressive +11 when they do. I noticed they played together 12 minutes against the Warriors, so that may become more common with Brooks out 3 weeks.

The Pels game was fun...this one might be even more so. And a win against a team on a 10-game win streak would be huge!

[AbeVigodaLive]

Are we still doing this Jones/Morant stuff?

There have been many stories about Memphis' success without Morant far, far away from this forum... ALL of them basically summed up with "That's the dumbest narrative of all time and these are the 2,387 reasons why..."

[Monster]

Are we still doing this Jones/Morant stuff?

There have been many stories about Memphis' success without Morant far, far away from this forum... ALL of them basically summed up with "That's the dumbest narrative of all time and these are the 2,387 reasons why..."

Sorry I've been away for a while but has anyone discussed who they would rather have right now Ja or Zion?

[Q-is-here]

Are we still doing this Jones/Morant stuff?

There have been many stories about Memphis' success without Morant far, far away from this forum... ALL of them basically summed up with "That's the dumbest narrative of all time and these are the 2,387 reasons why..."

Yes we are....first to troll you and Cam (which appears to have been wildly successful based on the vociferousness of your responses), and second, because there might be some actual truth to it!

I think Jah went through a mental re-set during his break and as Cam said, it allowed the other guys to show what a great overall team they are. You don't get to be 3rd in the West on just one player's back....and certainly they were floundering a bit before his injury. He's managed to re-integrate himself and they've maintained the momentum that begun in his absence ever since!

[AbeVigodaLive]

Are we still doing this Jones/Morant stuff?

There have been many stories about Memphis' success without Morant far, far away from this forum... ALL of them basically summed up with "That's the dumbest narrative of all time and these are the 2,387 reasons why..."

Sorry I've been away for a while but has anyone discussed who they would rather have right now Ja or Zion?

If I'm still following the math... I think it's Tyus Jones > Zion >Morant.

But seriously, I think the injury stuff is legit with Williamson. What might be more alarming is his response to the injury stuff. It's mostly conjecture, but the secrecy and wait gain just can't be positive developments.

I'd take Morant and not think twice. He's still on the ascent and is already an All NBA type player.

[thedoper]

On one hand I find this story frustrating that teams have to pander to agencies by hiring insiders in their organizations but then I suppose hr professionals and sales people sell themselves to companies in this way all of the time. Any hire that can potentially show signs that this franchise is moving away from Glen's skeletal grip is a good thing. It may be a Lore/Arod sign. Hopefully this guy isnt selling players on Telosa.

[Monster]

On one hand I find this story frustrating that teams have to pander to agencies by hiring insiders in their organizations but then I suppose hr professionals and sales people sell themselves to companies in this way all of the time. Any hire that can potentially show signs that this franchise is moving away from Glen's skeletal grip is a good thing. It may be a Lore/Arod sign. Hopefully this guy isnt selling players on Telosa.

I think Glen played the "family" atmosphere too much without enough substance to back it up. I've worked for organization that saw we are family but it ends up being a place where there are no boundaries so you are expected to do more than should be expected especially based on pay.

What makes this hire seem like it's not just some guy from an agency to simply pander to players (that might still have a certain effectiveness lol) is he has actual ties to and lived and worked in this area. He also has some level of basketball knowledge himself even if it was playing and coaching at a lower level. I'm not calling this a home run hire or anything but it makes sense.

[FNG]

Are we still doing this Jones/Morant stuff?

There have been many stories about Memphis' success without Morant far, far away from this forum... ALL of them basically summed up with "That's the dumbest narrative of all time and these are the 2,387 reasons why..."

Sorry I've been away for a while but has anyone discussed who they would rather have right now Ja or Zion?

Ja, not even close. Zion could be the new Greg Oden...immensely talented, but not able to stay healthy. It's too bad, because he is (was?) a unique player.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Are we still doing this Jones/Morant stuff?

There have been many stories about Memphis' success without Morant far, far away from this forum... ALL of them basically summed up with "That's the dumbest narrative of all time and these are the 2,387 reasons why..."

Yes we are....first to troll you and Cam (which appears to have been wildly successful based on the vociferousness of your responses), and second, because there might be some actual truth to it!

I think Jah went through a mental re-set during his break and as Cam said, it allowed the other guys to show what a great overall team they are. You don't get to be 3rd in the West on just one player's back....and certainly they were floundering a bit before his injury. He's managed to re-integrate himself and they've maintained the momentum that begun in his absence ever since!

Ok. So you are trolling.

Now I feel better. And saner.