No Memphis Grizzlies among 15 best players in the league
With the 2024-25 NBA season a month away, CBS Sports has released its ranking of the league's top 100 players .
The rankings' first 15 spots do not include any Memphis players but do include two stars each from two of the Grizzlies' Western Conference rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.
Memphis has a total of four players in the Top 100-Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Marcus Smart, but what do these rankings reveal about the Grizzlies' potential in the upcoming season?
Ja's ranking dipped, unsurprisingly
The Grizzlies point guard, one of the most electrifying players in the NBA, landed at No. 16 on CBS Sports' Top 100 list . Morant's ranking dipped slightly from No. 14 last year due to his ongoing suspensions and injuries.
"At his best, Morant is one of the most exciting guards in the league thanks to his dazzling skills and daring creativity," noted Jack Maloney from CBS Sports.
However, with only 70 games played in the last two seasons, it's unclear whether Morant can return to his All-NBA form. That is a lot to ask from the 25-year-old Morant, but only if Morant plays his best can the Grizzlies regain contender status in the West.
Bane's elite shooting
Shooting guard Desmond Bane, who has been an increasingly consistent scorer for Memphis in recent years, came in at No. 45 on the CBS rankings, dropping three spots from last year.
"Bane is one of the league's premier shooters-he's made 41.5% of his 3s in his career," said James Herbert.
Last season, despite ankle and back injuries, Bane stepped up in Morant's absence, averaging 23.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. His ability to create offense and his elite shooting positions him as a critical figure in the Grizzlies' pursuit of success.
JJJ's two-way potential
Ranked at No. 43, Jaren Jackson Jr. remains one of the league's most talented two-way players, though he did fall from No. 28 in last year's ranking. Jackson used the Grizzlies' injury-riddled 2023-24 season to improve his shot creation, nearly doubling his post-up plays and handling more offensive responsibility.
"Memphis was so depleted that he did these things relatively inefficiently, but hopefully, the full-strength Grizzlies can actually take advantage of all of those reps Jackson got," observed Sam Quinn.
Jackson was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. He is an elite two-way player who can create offense on his own or through pick-and-rolls with Morant and Bane and is a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the floor.
Smart's defensive leadership
Veteran guard Marcus Smart ranked No. 93 on the list, a significant drop from last year's position at No. 56. The former Celtic struggled with injuries last season, which limited him to just 20 games, but CBS experts still have high hopes for Smart.
"Now healthy, he should reclaim his place as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league," said Jack Maloney.
As a Defensive Player of the Year himself, Smart will be key in Memphis' rotation, helping the team to stabilize its defense and execute plays to perfection on offense.
The Grizzlies' success this season will heavily depend on the health and performance of these four players. With Morant leading the charge, Bane's shooting, Jackson's defensive versatility, and Smart's veteran leadership, Memphis is poised to bounce back after a challenging 2023-24 season.
Related: Brandon Clarke's three most electrifying blocksThis story was originally published September 19, 2024, 1:27 AM.
