Even though the Memphis Grizzlies are one of the youngest teams in the league, it seems that their players are not lacking in confidence.
For instance, second-year player Desmond Bane has emerged as one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA. When asked who he thinks is a better marksman than him, Bane responded with just one name.
“Steph Curry,” Bane told Sports Illustrated.
Bane explained his thinking.
“Other than that, you’re gonna have to show me,” he said. “Steph deserves his flowers, and Klay Thompson, I mean, he’s come back from injury. But outside of that I want to be looked at and talked about in the same conversation as those guys. … That’s what I’m striving for.”
The Texas Christian University product entered the league in 2020 as the final first-round pick of the draft.
In his rookie season, Bane averaged 9.2 points and 1.7 made 3-pointers per game while starting 17 of the 68 regular season matches he appeared in. He made quite a jump in the 2021-22 regular season, improving his averages to 18.2 points and 3.0 made 3-pointers per contest. Bane also started all 76 games he suited up in.
Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant was named the Most Improved Player in the NBA this season. However, Morant believes that Bane deserved the nod and even gifted him the trophy.
Just to show y’all what type of teammate JA is ‼️ My Dawggg fasho 🤝 @JaMorant pic.twitter.com/fTCKD2BDku
— Desmond Bane (@DBane0625) April 26, 2022
Memphis is in the thick of its second-round matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Memphis is tied 1-1 with the more experienced Warriors. The series is competitive thanks in large part to Morant. The 22-year-old is averaging 40.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game in the series.
As for Bane, he played superbly in the Grizzlies’ first-round series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. In six games against Minnesota, Bane averaged 23.5 points and 4.5 made 3-pointers per contest. However, he has struggled against Golden State in the past two games, averaging just 7.0 points and 1.0 made 3-pointer per match.
