Jake LaRavia shines amid Grizzlies’ injury concerns
The Grizzlies fans hoped to avoid another season plagued by injuries, but it didn't start well. Their training camp in Nashville just finished, and three critical players have already been injured. Their star forward, Jaren Jackson Jr., is dealing with a strain, but he should be available for the start of the season. A similar thing is happening with Vince Williams Jr., whose injury should be healed by the end of the month. But GG Jackson II's injury will keep him out for a longer time, and while he is aching to come back before his birthday, he probably won't succeed.
Grizzlies start the season with critical injuries
His injury leaves the Grizzlies with a short frontcourt rotation, and they don't have the same quality player to replace him. They used the training camp to implement their new offense with three guards after Marcus Smart clinched the small forward position. But that leaves them really short, and it seems like other rotational pieces see this opening as their chance. One of those who surprised everyone with effort in the training camp is Jake LaRavia, per Damichael Cole from Commercial Appeal .
Jake LaRavia impresses with effort and defense during training camp
And he is doing it with a pure effort, leaving his heart on the court. When Marcus Smart was asked which healthy player off the bench could be an impactful perimeter defender, he said LaRavia's name.
"He's shooting the ball well. He's being aggressive on the offensive end and defensive end. Defense is a big key for this team, and (LaRavia) wants to show he can play defense and guard other team's outstanding players; I think he took the initiative in doing that this camp," Luke Kennard added.
Right now, Jaylen Wells, John Konchar, and Jake LaRavia can take the bench spot for the wing position, and LaRavia can sense that this is an essential stretch for him.
"He was one of the standouts in training camp," Jenkins said. "Everything we're asking, he's doing it."
While it seems like he will be that player off the bench, we still can't be certain. The first glimpses of the rotational minutes will be seen on October 7th, when the Grizzlies play their first preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks.
Related: Knicks Eyeing Trade for Former NBA Defensive Player of the Year: ReportThis story was originally published October 5, 2024, 5:00 PM.
