Random observations:
- Man, Ja really killed his team. It's not like they haven't played well without him before (even for long stretches), but this is somehow different. They just look deflated and hopeless. They're really missing Adams' leadership and defense, and Marcus Smart looks like he hates his life. I just can't see a turnaround for this team until they get Morant back. Taylor Jenkins may yet become a sacrificial lamb.
- I feel like Olynyk travels 27 times per game and they only call it once or twice. LOL. I especially love his patented "I'm dribbling and looking to make a pass, but the window suddenly closes when I pick up the ball, so I take five steps to not fall on my face" move. By the way, Kelly has low key been on fire from the perimeter. He's shooting 40% but taking only a ridiculous 1.3 shots per game. What's up with that? He needs at least four. Clarkson, on the other hand, is stinking it up by launching 4.3 bombs per game and hitting only 29%. This is on Hardy, he has to get things like this under control. Even Collins is taking 3.5 perimeter shots, on similarly nasty sub-30 accuracy.
- Something to keep an eye on: we allowed the Grizz to "guard" Lauri with various small guys (Marcus Smart, among others) far from the basket without trying to exploit it even once. Lauri did make some cuts inside and sealed his midget defender after recognizing the mismatch, but we never attempted entry passes. This is one thing where the current "big frontcourt" really hurts us. When both Kessler and a 29% shooting Collins are out there, the lane stays clogged and it's hard to find the space to exploit gimmick defenses like this. IMO Olynyk should take Kessler's starting spot for the time being. We need spacing there in the worst way.
- Dunn seems to know his days on the regular rotation are numbered. He looked just as deflated as the Grizzlies.
- Is Ochai playing himself into the G-League?