3 Memphis Grizzlies players apart from Ja Morant who've performed above expectations in the opening games of the 2021-22 NBA season

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#2 De'Anthony Melton

De'Anthony Melton of the Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Lakers

De'Anthony Melton has been an elite defender for his size for a few seasons now. Standing at 6'2" with a 6'8" wingspan, his fit alongside Ja Morant was somewhat questionable in the year prior as the Memphis Grizzlies searched for an ideal starting backcourt.

Melton has started all three games for the Memphis Grizzlies and is posting career-best offensive numbers. Last season, there were four occasions where Melton tallied 20 points or more, and he has already accomplished that twice in three games this year.

His jump in three-point volume and efficiency is what optimizes his fit on the Memphis Grizzlies roster. He is currently averaging 57.9 percent from three on 6.3 attempts a night, which will surely come back down to earth. De'Anthony Melton is proving his 41.2 percent conversation rate from three last season was not a fluke and that there may be more room for offensive growth.

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#1 Desmond Bane

Memphis Grizzlies v Los Angeles Lakers

The Memphis Grizzlies made a trade to acquire the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft from the Boston Celtics, which was used to select TCU's Desmond Bane. Bane spent four years in college and was labeled a three-and-D prospect, a mold he fit well in year one.

Since landing on the All-Rookie team in his debut season, Bane has come out of the gates hot for the Memphis Grizzlies in year two. He is averaging the second-most shot attempts on the roster, only trailing Ja Morant. Take a look at his statlines from the first three games of the season.

• G1 vs. CLE: 22 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals - 8/16 FG, 2/6 3P, 4/4 FT
• G2 @ LAC: 19 points, 2 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 block - 7/15 FG, 4/10 3P, 1/2 FT
• G3 @ LAL: 17 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals - 7/15 FG, 2/7 3P, 1/1 FT

The Memphis Grizzlies were in desperate need of shooting on this roster and Bane has been there to supply that at very high volume. If he can keep up this level of play, things will be notably easier for Ja Morant and the rest of the roster.