In Memphis, defense has been in the franchise's DNA since the days of “Grit and Grind”, and we remember that in 2013, the Grizzlies placed three players on the All-Defensive Teams with Marc Gasol as Best defender of the year, accompanied by Mike Conley and Tony Allen.
More than a decade later, Jaren Jackson Jr. took up the torch with a title of Defensive Player Of The Year in 2023, and he is supported by Marcus Smart, his predecessor in 2022.
At the head of the team, Ja Morant promised to help them and last night, he showed signs of improvement against Dejounte Murray, limited to 6 of 17 on shots.
“Obviously, everyone knows what I can do offensively with my athleticism and all that… I think that can translate to the defensive side as well” believes the Memphis leader.
Taylor Jenkins has never seen him like this
Recruited to be the defensive leader of the back bases, Marcus Smart appreciates that his leader leads by example.
“You can’t target him,” notes former Celtics pitbull. “When you have a player with his offensive skills capable of bringing the same skills and the same intensity in defense, it destabilizes the other teams… We love that. »
For Taylor Jenkins, who has never stopped having his back, he's a new Ja Morant. “In six years, I have never seen him so good in defense! It’s almost every evening, and he puts a lot of effort into one-on-ones.” And this is how Memphis remains on five consecutive victories to climb to 4th place in the Western Conference.
