RealGM

Young guys doing work!

Huge win. Solid game from just about everyone. Great sign to see Ja JJJ and Clarke making big plays down the stretch.

Clarke is such a good rebounder. I’m in love with his game

Stating the obvious. This is not a bottom 6 team.

I'm no fan of tanking but I know it's a necessary evil, so much conflicted moments between developing/winning & knowing the difference the pick would make. If Memphis didn't owe the pick, I wouldn't be as concerned but this will be the last chance for Memphis to bottom out.

This team can still play considerably better.

Everyone from coach to players still have a lot they can clean up, loose play. Between the cheap 7-8 offensive calls & careless TO's, this game should have been a blow out.

What can I say, Ja is CLUTCH in as many opportunities in 10 games, he finished over 3 defenders & a lot of contact with his thin frame. However, it should be noted, he was forcing at the end of the game with a couple bad TO's, which cost Memphis their comfortable lead.

For me, the real turning point of the game was Clarke's defensive stop & ensuing 3pt make to open the 10pt lead.. his progress from 3 is more than encouraging considering everything else he brings to the table. One play first half I didn't like. Clarke was wide open top of the arc & instead of shooting it, he balked at the idea & tried to work the ball in. The play ended in a TO. Might as well have taken the open shot & missed... not so?.

Basketball, is a game of confidence, you can't shoot the ball with 2 minds. That open shot for Clarke needs to be instinctual, put it up man.

Gaduric, with confidence, is a contributor. 17pts in as minutes off the bench to dig Memphis out a 10pt deficit.

Brooks (6-8) in the first half was very good on both ends. 2nd half (0-5), he could have cleaned up some of his decision making.

Jonas off injury is finally starting to look & play like himself.

What a relief to see 3J snap out of his early funk & string together several good games.


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Memphis young core

Ja - 27.5 mins, 18.3 pts / 3.3 trb / 5.8 ast - (48.3 FG%, 44.4 3PT%, 73 FT%)

Clarke - 22 mins, 11.9 pts / 6.5 trb / 1.1 ast - (60.7 FG%, 42.9 3PT%, 91.7 FT%)

3J - 26 mins, 14.3 pts / 5.2 trb / 1.2 ast - (48.2 FG%, 37.5 3PT%, 80 FT%)

Whole Truth wrote:Memphis young core

Ja - 27.5 mins, 18.3 pts / 3.3 trb / 5.8 ast - (48.3 FG%, 44.4 3PT%, 73 FT%)

Clarke - 22 mins, 11.9 pts / 6.5 trb / 1.1 ast - (60.7 FG%, 42.9 3PT%, 91.7 FT%)

3J - 26 mins, 14.3 pts / 5.2 trb / 1.2 ast - (48.2 FG%, 37.5 3PT%, 80 FT%)

They all need more minutes.

BAMAFREAK wrote:

Whole Truth wrote:Memphis young core

Ja - 27.5 mins, 18.3 pts / 3.3 trb / 5.8 ast - (48.3 FG%, 44.4 3PT%, 73 FT%)

Clarke - 22 mins, 11.9 pts / 6.5 trb / 1.1 ast - (60.7 FG%, 42.9 3PT%, 91.7 FT%)

3J - 26 mins, 14.3 pts / 5.2 trb / 1.2 ast - (48.2 FG%, 37.5 3PT%, 80 FT%)

They all need more minutes.

Jenkins might have several reasons for not upping their minutes. Ja's knee surgery, Clarke's back, Jackson's foul trouble aside. The more this teams top options play, the less likely Memphis land top 6.. I don't know if you noticed but when Memphis opened up the early 10pt lead, Jenkins ran out a lineup that proceeded to give the lead back with 5mins left in the 1st when most teams play their starters, hot hands, to the last 2mins, if not the full quarter. Then in the last few mins of the game, on one of Ja's 2 TO's, a Hornets player knocked the ball out of bounds, no challenge from Jenkins. The Miles put back over Jonas, the ball was in the cylinder, no challenge.

What I want to see more than their minutes increased, is both Ja 44% & Clarke 42% up their 3pt attempts.

Above, I described a first half play where Clarke had a wide open look top of the arc which he passed up only to eventually turn the ball over trying to move it in. He's shooting 43% & passed up a wide open look only to drive into traffic & eventually, turn it over. Much rather he not be reluctant & miss the open look, especially, considering he's shooting it at a 43% clip.

Ja is taking less than 2 attempts per game at 44% with teams playing off of him. Once he puts the threat of that 3 ball into the equation, his game is going to open up. It's a testament to his driving ability, putting up 18pts without teams respecting his range. Most rookies in the scoring discussion are putting up 4-5 3's a game.