The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. On Wednesday, it was announced that the Memphis Grizzlies have planned jersey retirement ceremonies this season for both Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. These two jersey retirements, and the
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Ja Morant is not here for any of the trade rumors involving his Memphis Grizzlies teammates, Dillon Brooks or Kyle Anderson. It’s that time of year where we’re seeing some trade rumors fly across the NBA. For the Memphis Grizzlies, the latest reports have suggested that they could end up sending either Dillion Brooks or
As the Memphis Grizzlies weigh a move over the next couple weeks, Gorgui Dieng has surfaced as a name to watch. Coming out of the All-Star break, the Memphis Grizzlies are a .500 team (16-16) and within range of a playoff spot in the Western Conference (10th place). The question they have to ask themselves
Desmond Bane was regarded as an NBA-ready prospect without high-level upside. Weeks into his career, his ceiling is looking much, much higher. In the months leading up to the 2020 NBA Draft, Desmond Bane out of TCU quickly became one of the more thoroughly discussed prospects. Bane was widely regarded as a second-round prospect through
Trae Young called out Grayson Allen on Twitter for allegedly tripping him during Saturday’s Atlanta Hawks-Memphis Grizzlies game. During the NBA preseason, Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young got acquainted with Memphis Grizzlies guard Grayson Allen. And by acquainted, we mean that Young shoved Allen and created a brief scuffle between both teams. The
Joe Harris could help out several contenders this offseason. Some might derisively call Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Joe Harris a one-trick pony, but his one trick is so impressive that it’s allowed to be a reliable scoring presence on a team that has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. Harris will be
Ja Morant, the second-overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, has won the league’s Rookie of the Year Award. The NBA has now fully entered the second-round of the playoffs. As we’ve seen in recent weeks, the league has been announcing their award winners of the 2019-20 season from inside the Walt Disney World bubble.
Morant is a beast in more ways than one. Even though the Memphis Grizzlies have struggled in the NBA bubble, rookie Ja Morant has been playing like a seasoned pro. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Morant revealed that he has been playing with a broken thumb on his shooting hand after the Grizzlies lost the
MEMPHIS, TN – NOVEMBER 23: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum on November 23, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of
Ja Morant (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) Ja Morant has an idea for a new jersey amid the NBA’s new policy allowing player to promote social issues. A new NBA policy that will reportedly allow players to support a social justice cause of their choosing is expected to be enacted next season, and
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 19: Ja Morant speaks to the media ahead of the 2019 NBA Draft at the Grand Hyatt New York on June 19, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms
The Rockets belong to Russell Westbrook now, but that’s not the only thing we learned from the 2019-20 NBA season. As we wait for whatever is to come of the 2019-20 NBA season, even a momentary pause will leave certain moments and breakthroughs from the season as a memory and conversation to cherish while we
Damian Lillard and Ja Morant raised each other over and over again as their teams battled for a crucial win and playoff position. With the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers engaged in a battle for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference, Wednesday night’s game held all sorts of significance. What normally might have been a
Andre Iguodala only wants the Grizzlies to trade him to one of a handful of teams. The simple truth is that Memphis doesn’t owe him that courtesy. When the Grizzlies acquired Andre Iguodala this summer he made it very clear he didn’t to play a single minute of basketball for his new team. That decision
The Memphis Grizzlies have a very young core, but that group is already thriving together and has put the team in playoff position sooner than expected. More than halfway through the season, the Memphis Grizzlies are the proud owners of a playoff spot. The Grizz went to the postseason nearly annually throughout the last decade,
As it turns out, it takes more than one rookie season to become an effective two-way player. The Memphis Grizzlies are seeing it firsthand with their diamond in the rough, De’Anthony Melton. A quick look at the stat sheet wouldn’t tell you much about De’Anthony Melton, both for Sunday night’s game or the Memphis Grizzlies‘
Jaren Jackson Jr. has stayed on the court more consistently lately, and his shooting and scoring are adding up to an offensive onslaught in December. The Memphis Grizzlies are in a hurry. “Towels? Anyone got towels?” Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies’ prized sophomore and NBA breakout stud of December, traipses out of the shower with
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 11: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the Phoenix Suns on December 11, 2019 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant will be listed as week-to-week due to back spasms. Here’s a quick look at the ripple effects of this minor injury. As if missing the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft wasn’t irritating enough for basketball fans, the No. 2 overall pick will also be sidelined for the
Tyus Jones wasn’t a flashy signing but his youth, steady play and the value his contract provides could make him a huge steal for the Grizzlies. One of the big offseason questions for the Timberwolves was whether the team would retain Tyus Jones. The Grizzlies signed Jones to an offer sheet on Sunday night and