Should rookie Bane start for Grizzlies?
All Desmond Bane needed was two minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers. That was enough to make an impact.
The Grizzlies rookie checked in Sunday with six minutes remaining in the first quarter. He made his first two shots, both 3-pointers, then grabbed a rebound and assisted Dillon Brooks on another 3-pointer.
It was quick work but perhaps the best indicator of Bane's impact this season. The two-minute stretch started a 17-0 run, and he contributed on 11 of those points.
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said this week he has had conversations about moving his first-round pick into the starting lineup. Bane had 16 points against the Charlotte Hornets last week, and he has found a role as one of the team's first players off the bench.
“He's earning those minutes. I think he's doing a great job on the offensive side of the ball and obviously he's being thrust into kind of primary handler role at times given our injuries,” Jenkins said.
It's no secret the Grizzlies are struggling without Ja Morant. They're 27th in points per game, 28th in offensive rating, and last in points per-half court play, according to Cleaning the Glass, a basketball analytics website.
So could Bane provide a spark in the starting lineup? The evidence suggests so.
He entered Friday second among rookies with 17 3-pointers and was shooting a team-best 47.2% on 3-pointers.
He's also shooting a team-best 50% on catch-and-shoot plays. He has found other ways to contribute, such as his six-rebound game against the Cavaliers
on Thursday.
“The older guys have given me a lot of confidence and the player development program here is really strong, really good. It's definitely helped my game,” said Bane, who played four years at Texas Christian.
Bane has been asking questions and seeking advice since the beginning of training camp, according to point guard Tyus Jones. Brooks, who's serving as Bane's mentor, has encouraged him to stay aggressive looking for his shot.
“He keeps growing like this, he's going to be in the league for a long time,” said Brooks. “He's ready to play, his jump shot is opening up the floor for him to make plays for others and finishing for himself.”
But does that mean he's ready to start? Time will tell. He and Brooks play similar positions, and while Brooks could slide to small forward, as he did to start the year, Brandon Clarke has been productive there in his five games as a starter.
There's also room for Bane to be more consistent scoring inside the 3-point line and on defense. Jenkins challenged Bane to be more active on defense, and Bane entered Friday on a five-game streak with at least one steal.
“First couple of games, he was having to get adjusted to the speed of the game," Jenkins said. "I think he's starting to find a good pace within himself to make the right plays whether the ball's in his hands or he's having to space and be the good shooter that he is.”