(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies acquired more than just a good defender when they traded for Marcus Smart.
They also got a leader, someone who won’t hesitate to step up and show his face when things don’t go their way, and a guy who will get into everybody’s ears to let them know when they need to do better.
Notably, it didn’t take long before he showed those leadership skills.
According to Grizzlies beat writer Parker Fleming, Smart reminded everyone that you never see a championship won in the first game of the season.
Marcus Smart felt good being in front of the crowd. “You never see a championship won in the 1st game”
— Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA) October 26, 2023
It’s going to be a while before we see Taylor Jenkins’ team at its best.
Losing Steven Adams for the entire season just days before the start of the campaign was a big blow, and they’ll have to make adjustments accordingly.
They will demand more of Jaren Jackson Jr., who was already asked to step up big time with Ja Morant missing the first 25 games of the season with a suspension.
Morant failed his teammates by getting himself into that situation, and it’ll be up to them to try and hold down the fort while he’s able to get back and rescue them from that hole.
In the meantime, they can rely upon Smart to set the tone with his perimeter defense and vocal leadership, but it’ll take a big team effort to try and not sink in the Western Conference standings without their best player.
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