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Memphis Grizzlies: 2019-20 team could have the success of past OKC teams

By Tyler Ashberry

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 12, 2018 in Tarrytown, New York.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 12: Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 12, 2018 in Tarrytown, New York.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Drawing parallels from a young Oklahoma City Thunder team to the 2019-20 Memphis Grizzlies

At the start of the 2008 season, the Oklahoma City Thunder were full of optimism in their first year in the league, in large part due to the fact that they had a transcendent rookie, drafted No. 2 overall, in Kevin Durant. In the following year, the Thunder drafted the explosive point guard out of UCLA, Russell Westbrook.

The parallels of that OKC team to the 2019 Memphis Grizzlies are uncanny.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a 7-foot power forward who is able to score at well off the post and outside the 3-point line. In the following year, the Grizzlies drafted a “Russell Westbrook” type of their own in Ja Morant.

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The Murray State point guard has the same explosion as a young Brody did coming out of college. The game similarities of both point guards are multifaceted. Ja Morant showed up in the March Madness tournament by putting together games stuffing the stats with a triple double, something we’ve seen Westbrook take to new heights.

The games of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Kevin Durant could become similar if Jackson is able to take the next step to a superstar like Durant was able to. The player efficiency rating of both players in their prospective rookie seasons show the production on the court and in Jackson Jr.’s rookie season he was able to have a higher PER than KD in his first year.

The comparisons between the two-small market midwestern teams in the Western Conference could make the evolution and growth of the Grizzlies a special one to watch in the coming years.

To temper Grizzlies fan’s expectations for the coming year, in the first season in OKC with the dynamic duo of KD and Russ, the Thunder had a record of 23-59. The Grizzlies may find themselves with a similar record in the stacked West in 2019.

The main concern for the Grizzlies in their upcoming season is player growth, chemistry, and keeping the young core healthy. The Thunder team of old was able to find the third piece in James Harden and groom their youngsters into a Finals appearance.

dark. Next. New Orleans Pelicans: Their talented young core isn’t playoff ready

After a very successful summer league, fans should be optimistic of Brandon Clarke to be the third player to add to their young core. The Grizzlies are a few correct moves away from getting back to the success of the Grit & Grind and having two all-star level superstars in Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant.

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