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- Though Grizzlies rookie guard Tony Wroten has been a solid contributor off the bench the last two games, averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and two assists in those contests, Memphis coach Lionel Hollins isn’t overly excited about what Wroten’s done so far. “He’s got a long ways to go to be a bonafide player and to play high minutes. I mean, the little bit of time he’s played, he’s done well,” Hollins said. “He’s just getting an opportunity now and he brings something we don’t have at the point. He’s got good size and good vision.”
- With Wroten now in the backup point guard role, it’s allowed Memphis to play fifth-year guard Jerryd Bayless off the ball more, where he appears more comfortable. Bayless has scored in double figures in consecutive games for the first time this season, and is coming off an 11-point, seven-rebound, eight-assist performance in the Grizzlies’ 101-77 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday. “He’s still doing the same things at the two that he was doing at the one,” Hollins said. “We run him in the pick-and-roll and he feels more comfortable that he’s not trying to create for somebody else as much as he’s just trying to create.”
- Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez, a former first-round pick of the Grizzlies, may be the league’s most improved player this season. Vasquez has registered double-digit assists in 18 games this season after doing so just six times last year. Vasquez currently ranks third in the NBA in assists at 9.1 per game. He’s also averaging 14.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.
– Jason Smith
