How Ziaire Williams is making a case for the Memphis Grizzlies' fifth starting spot
When Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins sat down with Ziaire Williams last week, he let the third-year forward talk first.
Williams had a promising end to his rookie year followed by an injury-riddle second season. So when Williams spoke first, he told Jenkins some of his goals, which included making the NBA all-defensive team and being named most improved player.
Jenkins admits that Williams has a lot of work to do to achieve those lofty goals, but the former No. 10 overall pick is putting himself in prime position to take advantage of a golden opportunity through the first two days of practice.
Memphis will be without star point guard Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the season, so a fifth starting spot is up for grabs. Williams is making a strong case.
“I talked to him after practice about how he’s doing a great job in situations using his length, using his mobility,” Jenkins said on Wednesday. “His attention to detail has been spot-on right now defensively.”
The Grizzlies were in a familiar position last year when Jaren Jackson Jr. was injured at the beginning of the season, but Jenkins said this situation is different. Even though it wasn’t clear who would be the fifth starter when practice started last season, Santi Aldama quickly grabbed that opportunity and ran with it.
Memphis is expected to be much more patient this season while finding a player to fill in alongside of Jackson, Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane and Steven Adams. That means a number of players could get starts in the preseason.
Williams, John Konchar, Jake LaRavia, David Roddy and Luke Kennard are among the candidates vying for the fifth spot. Defense will be one of the main separators in determining who wins the spot.
Just like Jenkins has repeatedly emphasized defense, Williams has the same outlook on what he wants to showcase this season. Williams has the smallest frame of the candidates, but at 6-foot-9, he's also the tallest.
“I feel like I have great lateral quickness for my size,” Williams said. “My length disrupts the guards.”
Along with Williams, Konchar and Roddy are the candidates who Jenkins has trusted in the past to take on tough defensive assignments. Williams has the highest offensive upside amongst himself, Roddy and Konchar. He averaged 10.2 points on 48.1% in 35 career starts.
Like the rest of his teammates, the goal for Williams is to help the team in whatever his role ends up being. If he doesn’t win the starting job, it probably won’t be for a lack effort.
Williams repeatedly said Monday how he believes no one worked harder than him in the offseason. He added that he’s stronger and weighs more than at any previous point of his career.
Williams is making case. Now, the preseason games will decide if he wins out.
“I’m ready, so you’ll see,” Williams said.
Other practice notes: Jaren Jackson Jr. taking page from greats
Last week on his Instagram story, Jackson shared clips of himself watching Dirk Nowitzki in the 2011 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. After practice on Tuesday, Jackson revealed that he’s been watching a lot of Nowitzki and Kevin Garnett.
The two are considered among the greatest power forwards of all-time.
JA MORANT AT PRACTICE: Ja Morant joins Memphis Grizzlies for practice on first day of camp. Here's how it went
One area of Jackson’s game that has been considered a weakness is his offensive playmaking. He has averaged more turnovers than assists in each of his first five seasons. With Morant out, he could see more double teams, so watching players who were efficient in those situations may be beneficial.
“Pace is so big,” Jackson said. “The best players (in the NBA) right now have pace. … (Nowitzki and Garnett) had great pace, especially later in their careers. It works.”
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ziaire Williams making a case to be Memphis Grizzlies' fifth starter
