Based on last year’s performances, I was all set for the Grizzlies this year to be the Valanciunas-Caboclo-Morant show. Is that a big three? As things currently stand, no, that’s not a big three, but it definitely should be if Taylor Jenkins would allow it to happen.
A big three such as that would entice me to watch Grizzlies games. Instead, their current big three of Morant-Jackson Jr.-Brooks, while also a young and somewhat exciting big three, just doesn’t have the same level of exotic foreignness and simmering superstardom. Suffice to say, the only Grizzlies action I subject myself to this season happens in the course of me making highlight videos. Otherwise, there are many other teams I’d rather watch (the Magic are below the Grizzlies, for your information, as are the Nets because Cryrie Virgin sapped all the fun out of that team).
Something has to be done to bring back the 20/10 Valanciunas of last season. A coaching change might be appropriate. Or a faster pace to allow for more scoring, not just for Valanciunas, but for everybody. The Grizzlies are already sixth in pace, and Valanciunas probably doesn’t have the endurance or footspeed to turn it up another notch, but they could try. One other option would be to have Jaren Jackson get injured again like he was at the end of last season (coincidentally, that’s when Valanciunas and Caboclo started going off).
The people of Lithuania deserve better than this.