The early success is hard to break down because of preseason motivation and lousy defensive competition. 

Dec. 17, 2020 (preseason game): Grizzlies 128, Hawks 106.

The offense has been dominant through three preseason games. The efficiency of Dillon Brooks is a big reason why. 

Related Story: Box score: Grizzlies 128, Hawks 106.

From the Second Season Leap to the Kyle Anderson Belief Society, a few quick preseason notes on the Grizzlies and other NBA items of local relevance.

Morant is picking winners on his social media sweepstakes. And here’s an update on a number of personnel moves that happened in rapid succession.

Ja Morant tied his hair up, and Minnesota had no chance to tie the game. 

The pluses, minuses and qualities of Grayson Allen, De’Anthony Melton, Desmond Bane and John Konchar.

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.