The Memphis Grizzlies surprised a lot of people when they made a run into the playoffs last season. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
They won the first game of the series against the Utah Jazz before bowing out in a gentleman’s sweep. But, the foundation was laid for what could be an even more productive 2021-22 season.
The team has a budding superstar in Ja Morant but made some head-scratching moves in the offseason. They seemingly operated as a rebuilding team, taking on unsavory contracts for draft compensation.
After making the postseason, it was an odd strategy to take. But, the Grizzlies’ front office had a plan they were executing and it has gone well thus far. The team was 6-4 in the early going despite not having Dillon Brooks, the team’s second-leading scorer from the postseason, in the lineup but has since lost three consecutive games.
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One of the reasons the team is staying in the playoff picture is Steven Adams. Adams was acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in what seemed like a salary dump by the Pelicans.
Based on the stats, Memphis looks to have lost the trade, as Jonas Valanciunas has put up some great numbers in the Big Easy, averaging 19.6 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. While his stats aren’t as gaudy, Adams is doing an excellent job in Memphis.
He is averaging 8.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 25.9 minutes per game. Despite not popping in box scores, Adams is an integral part of what the Memphis Grizzlies are doing. He is a great screen setter offensively and is an excellent defender.
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Steven Adams has quickly built chemistry with his teammates and provides the team with things that do not appear in a box score to help them win games. He is the quintessential Grit and Grind center that embodies what Memphis wants to do.
