Previewing Wednesday’s Season Opener: Grizzlies vs. Pelicans with Michael Wallace

To help preview Wednesday’s highly-anticipated season opener in Memphis, we caught up with Grind City Media Sr. Editor and Analyst Michael Wallace. Like the Pelicans, the Grizzlies enter the 82-game schedule without some significant contributors, but also boast a deep and talented roster that will attempt to compensate for key DNPs, particularly early in 2023-24.

Pelicans.com: Wins and losses don’t generally matter much in preseason, but what were some of your biggest takeaways or developments from the Grizzlies’ handful of exhibition games?

Wallace: My biggest impression and takeaway is that Desmond Bane is a sure-fire All-Star this coming season if he can stay healthy. He’s ready to take another leap in production, especially in the first 25 games while the Grizzlies will look to fill the star power void of Ja Morant during his suspension. Bane was already a top-five 3-point shooter last season, but now his game is essentially unstoppable on three levels (from deep, midrange scoring and getting to the basket). Marcus Smart only played in one preseason game, but his presence was immediately felt on both ends of the floor. A good sign entering the season opener.

Pelicans.com: Memphis has been one of the NBA’s most consistent teams in recent years, including consecutive seasons of 50-plus victories and three straight playoff appearances. The Grizzlies have also been very successful when Ja Morant is out of the lineup, but the fill-in starter at point guard, Tyus Jones, was traded to Washington in the offseason. What are the biggest keys to Memphis weathering the first 25 games of 2023-24 without Morant?

Wallace: Scheduling appears relatively favorable for the Grizzlies coming out of the gate. But beyond that, surviving Morant’s absence will be essential to avoid falling in too deep of a hole in the standings from the outset. The West is much deeper this season. Fortunately for Memphis, the team loaded up on veteran experience at the point guard spot with the addition of Smart and former MVP Derrick Rose. Together, they give the Grizzlies a punch that should allow them to sustain production and leadership at the position until Morant returns. Coach Taylor Jenkins has also tweaked his offense to allow more players to take on facilitating roles. It truly will be an all-hands-on-deck mission to endure Morant’s absence.

Pelicans.com: It’s not uncommon for teams to play much better at home than on the road, but the Grizzlies-Pelicans series has been drastically dependent on location lately. New Orleans is 4-1 vs. Memphis in the Smoothie King Center since 2020-21, but just 1-5 in FedEx Forum over the same span, including four straight defeats by 15-plus points. Is there any explanation for why homecourt has been so vital between these clubs?

Wallace: Both teams have relied on depth and guys stepping up in the absence of marquee stars in this series lately. And as the saying goes, role players play better at home. I don’t recall too many of these recent Grizz-Pelicans matchups in which both teams were fully stocked with all of their main frontline players. Unfortunately, that will be the case yet again in the opener, with Morant starting his suspension. No wonder these teams have split their past 12 meetings overall, 6-6, dating back to 2020.

Pelicans.com: Going off the court for some Memphis background, who are the Grizzlies’ best interviewees with the media? Who are their best users of social media?

Wallace: Both Derrick Rose and Marcus Smart came in and immediately hit it off with the media because of their transparency and willingness to be accessible on a relatively regular basis. Desmond Bane is truly genuine and honest about where the team is at any given point – good or otherwise. Even the young guys, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy and others are solid professionals with media requests. And you’re always in for a good laugh when Jaren Jackson Jr. or Steven Adams faces the microphones. As far as social media, we tend to hang onto Ja Morant’s every response these days. You never know what to expect.

Pelicans.com: What’s one thing fans might be surprised to know about the Grizzlies?

Wallace: That they are as connected off the court and as competitive behind closed doors against each other probably more than any team in the league. From their rhythmic pregame walk through the tunnel onto the court, to the postgame interview video bombs on national and local TV, these guys are truly in lockstep with one another. It’s not just for show. Whether the cameras are there or not, there’s a genuine level of equality and camaraderie that connects this team on and off the court. That’s truly the reason behind how this team is the only one in the West to post 50+ wins the past two seasons despite missing Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Steven Adams for huge chunks of games at different times.

2023-10-24 23:00:00


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