Analyzing the key reasons behind Memphis Grizzlies posting the best offensive and the worst defensive rating in the 2021-22 NBA season so far

#2 Hot starts for Desmond Bane and De'Anthony Melton

Memphis Grizzlies v Charlotte Hornets

De'Anthony Melton and Desmond Bane were not unimportant members of the Memphis Grizzlies last season. However, their playing time has seen a significant jump in 2021-22.

Last season, Melton averaged 20.1 minutes per night while contributing 9.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals on a field goal percentage of 43.8 percent and a three point percentage of 42.1 percent.

Desmond Bane, meanwhile, played in his first NBA season last year with the Memphis Grizzlies. His averages were 9.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three.

Both Bane and Melton were impactful defensive players who held their own on-ball, were disruptors off-ball, and possess impressive versatility with their length. That defensive impact remains apparent for the Memphis Grizzlies this season, but their increase in minutes makes it feel that way much more often.

Bane and Melton have both started all five games for the Memphis Grizzlies this season while averaging upwards of 30 minutes per showing. Their three-point volumes have allowed Morant more than sufficient spacing. Bane is shooting 41.5 percent from three on 8.2 attempts per night, while Melton is at 40.0 percent on 6.0 attempts.

Those numbers will obviously calm down, specifically Melton's, but both of those players have proven to the Memphis Grizzlies that they are more than capable outside shooters. Melton is doing most of his work within the flow of the offense, but Bane is showing that he has the capabilities to create for himself and others off the bounce.

Melton and Bane will surely calm down, but the Memphis Grizzlies have greatly benefited from their absurd early production while Dilion Brooks remains absent early in the season.

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#1 Ja Morant is playing like a superstar

Memphis Grizzlies v Golden State Warriors

The Memphis Grizzlies seem to have already viewed Ja Morant as the centerpiece of their future last season, rightfully so. Last season was year two for the former second overall pick, and he averaged 19.1 points, 7.4 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 44.9 percent from the field, 30.3 percent from three, and 72.8 percent from the free-throw line.

Those numbers are more than solid for a 21-year-old that is being asked to run an NBA offense, and Morant led the Memphis Grizzlies to a postseason appearance. Most people viewed the young guard well on his way, but the level of production we saw from him in the first games of the season caught everyone by surprise.

The Murray State product is averaging 30.4 points, 7.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals while converting 54.4 from the field, 40.6 percent of his 6.4 three point attempts each night, and 84.4 percent from the free throw line over 35.8 minutes.

Again, it's only a sample of five games but that would mark a career-high in points, assists, rebounds, assists, field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and rate, free-throw percentage, and a few other categories. What else could you ask for?

The Memphis Grizzlies offense is elite because Ja Morant is elite while possessing a 32.8 percent usage rate.