Coach Taylor Jenkins detects positive trends from rookies and Ja Morant’s leadership.

Memphis got its initial looks at rookies Xavier Tillman Sr. and Desmond Bane. 

Seven players are on the injury report, including Brandon Clarke, ahead of the game against Minnesota. 

One is the presumptive leader, the other a colorful character. Both are necessary parts of the perimeter pecking order. 

The Grizzlies will get the preseason underway on Saturday in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. Beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington discuss their expectations for the four preseason games and break down the best sound bites from the Grizzlies training camp press conferences.

The Grizzlies will need to rely on interchangeability if they want to survive a tough opening stretch without two starters. 

It’s ‘one day at a time,’ and the first preseason game is just three days away in Minnesota. 

Here are some comparisons to how other top point guards did in Year 2, and what Morant’s trajectory might look like.

The Memphis rookie, like Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke, went from zero-star recruit to first-round pick and ready to prove he belongs. 

Coach Taylor Jenkins is “ready to go” and Ja Morant is enthusiastic about what Desmond Bane will provide with his 3-point shooting. 

De’Anthony Melton said his first purchase after signing was cars for his sisters and mother. 

Memphis will play five nationally televised games. The Grizzlies open at home on Wednesday, Dec. 23 against the San Antonio Spurs. The world champion Lakers will visit Jan. 3 and 5.

Prior to the NBA’s schedule release, Daily Memphian Grizzlies beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington break down the plan to replace Jaren Jackson Jr. in the starting lineup and where the youngest team in the NBA will need to improve if they want to make a run to the playoffs.

Here are some scenarios as the Grizzlies await his return.

Players describe the specific areas they worked on during a truncated NBA offseason.

Morant acknowledged he did not wear a mask the entire time at the All Black Affair, which drew hundreds of attendees.

Ja Morant has seen the preseason predictions, which only reinforce his goal: “Proving everyone wrong.”

No courtside seats will be available for Tigers games this season. The Grizzlies are still determining seating configurations. 

But there are other issues to confront, among them safety during a pandemic, and an uncomfortably close tax line.

There are reasons why Desmond Bane is wearing No. 22 and Xavier Tillman Sr. in going with No. 2.

The Grizzlies will play Minnesota and Atlanta twice. The regular-season schedule will not come out until mid-December.

Tyus Jones would be all right if the Grizzlies cut their uniform choices to three. 

From the return of Grizzlies television voice Pete Pranica to a successful waiver request, Memphis sports fans have plenty to be grateful for.