Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman Sr. 'leader in the clubhouse' to start after Steven Adams injury
Every Memphis Grizzlies player had left Tuesday's practice except center Xavier Tillman Sr. The fourth-year center hung around after practice shooting free throws, 3-pointers and then ending his personal workout by catching and slamming an alley-oop dunk.
By the time Tillman walked over to greet the media, he was drenched in sweat with a water and Gatorade bottle in his hands.
This is life now for Tillman after the news Sunday that Steven Adams will miss the season with a knee injury. Coach Taylor Jenkins said Tillman is “probably a leader in the clubhouse” to start at center on Wednesday (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast) against the New Orleans Pelicans.
"All these guys know things are going to change game to game, depending on what we need to go out and win," Jenkins said.
Tillman isn’t new to this position. He started 29 games last season. Memphis went 18-11 when he filled in.
However, his role will be different. The centers played mostly at the elbows last season, which led to a lot of screens and dribble handoffs within the offense.
With new assistant coach Patrick St. Andrews and Jenkins’ emphasis on making offensive changes, Tillman will get more opportunities to shoot 3-pointers and space the floor. He attempted three 3-pointers in last Friday’s preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“This year, I’m more versatile,” Tillman said. “I trust the work that I’ve put in to where I don’t have to be the primary screener all the time.”
“For me, (shooting threes) was something that I was trying out, but also something that I have to be able to do any time that I’m open,” Tillman later added.
Defensively is where Tillman’s presence brings the most assurance. Jenkins trusted him last season in matchups against versatile wings like LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard.
The matchup the Grizzlies may need Tillman to fill the most will come against the more physical centers in the NBA. Memphis has a notable void without Adams’ physicality.
When Adams missed games last season, areas like rebounding is where Memphis saw the biggest drop-off.
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The Grizzlies' first two games will be against two of the most physical and rebounding centers in the NBA. Memphis plays former Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas on Wednesday against the Pelicans, then the Denver Nuggets and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic will make the trip to FedExForum on Friday (6 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast).
It won’t take long to see if the Grizzlies can improve in one of the main areas of question.
“You want that wake-up call as soon as you can,” Tillman said. “If this is the best test as far as getting the best centers, that’s what you want. You want to get that wake-up call as early as possible so you can fix it early and then go about your season the right way.”
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies' Xavier Tillman Sr. likely starter for injured Steven Adams
