The Grizzlies also seem to know confidence is contagious.
After an October win over the Sacramento Kings, the rookie Jake LaRavia was chosen for the postgame interview on the team’s local broadcast after he scored a career high 13 points. Jones joined the interview and chanted, “Shoot the ball, Rook!” as LaRavia spoke, and Jackson patted LaRavia on the head. Adams arrived a few seconds later and hugged LaRavia around his shoulders before leading the group in a cheer — a version of the Spanish word for “yes” — made famous by the soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo.
“When you see Ja do that, when you see Jaren do that, when you see Des do that, when you see Dillon do that, everyone else kind of gravitates toward that,” Jenkins said. “And goes, hey, wow, that’s kind of who I am so this actually makes sense with this group.”
Their energy has carried over from last season, but they are still working on becoming whole for another run to the playoffs. Jackson is expected to return from his foot injury within the next month or so. Danny Green, 35, whom the Grizzlies acquired in a summer trade with Philadelphia, has not played yet because he’s recovering from a knee injury.
The Grizzlies were tied with Portland for the second-best record in the Western Conference entering Sunday’s games. They have fumed about each loss as if it counted for more than just one of the season’s 82 games.
Months remain until they’ll have another chance to attack the playoffs, so they aren’t talking about that much, right now.
But they have talked about it. Bane and Morant have discussed winning a championship together in Memphis one day. Morant signed a five-year extension in July. Bane is under contract through the 2023-24 season but can negotiate an extension next summer.
“Not saying this year or next year — who knows when it comes,” Bane said of winning a championship. “But that’s our goal before we move on to our next step in life, whatever that may be.”
He said it with the quiet confidence of someone who believes this is only the beginning.
Tania Ganguli
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