Memphis Grizzlies: The curious case of Xavier Tillman Sr.

Xavier Tillman’s position with the Memphis Grizzlies going ahead stays a thriller. His efficiency in the summertime league didn’t go away any optimism about his recreation and have compatibility with the group, and that may be a bizarre position to be in.

As I mentioned in my 2021-2022 participant evaluate of Tillman, his efficiency were given worse coming from his rookie season going to his sophomore season. His mins (18.4 to 13.2), issues in line with recreation (6.6 to 4.8), rebounds in line with recreation (4.3 to three), box function proportion (55.9% to 45.4%), and 3-point proportion (33.8% to twenty.4%) all took vital hits. Of direction, his cases modified with Jaren Jackson Jr. being provide all season, not like his rookie season, and each Steven Adams’ and Brandon Clarke’s performances harm his mins as neatly.

Although that was once his scenario all through the season, the playoffs equipped a special alternative for Tillman as a result of of matchups. Steven Adams was once performed off the ground within the 1st spherical sequence in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves resulting in the flexible Tillman getting extra begins (3) in that sequence on my own than he did all the common season (2).

Photo through David Berding/Getty Images

With the added accountability at a very powerful time of the season, Tillman produced identical numbers to his common season numbers. He averaged 4.4 issues in line with recreation and three.3 rebounds in line with recreation however he shot neatly on his very restricted makes an attempt to the song of 72% on 2.8 box function makes an attempt in line with recreation in 9 playoff video games. Although he was once helpful and was once able when the time for him to play was once wanted, he nonetheless left so much to be desired.

Tillman’s sophomore marketing campaign result in the now Third-year heart enjoying within the 2022 Summer League the place, once more, his efficiency didn’t move as anticipated for Third-year avid gamers. He went into the Summer League marketing campaign noticeably larger however his rebounding (5.4 rebounds in line with recreation), taking pictures (0 threes made on 6 makes an attempt), and scoring potency (43%) on the rim in 5 video games was once now not the place you possibly can need it to be. In my opinion, you possibly can desire a Third-year participant to dominate the summer season league and that simply was once now not the case with Tillman.

Photo through Jeff Bottari/NBAE by means of Getty Images

Now what to anticipate from him this season? It is tricky to consider a job for him taking into consideration the intensity of ability within the frontcourt. His taking pictures taking a deep dive within the flawed course has truly harm his price. Also, Santi Aldama’s growth —at the side of the go back of each Steven Adams (extension signed) and Brandon Clarke (prone to be prolonged) — has made Tillman expendable.

I imagine he can nonetheless be helpful as an end-of-bench man that is aware of the gadget and will step up in case of damage and matchups as prior to now, however his play has grew to become south for the worst, and it could be too overdue for him to earn a constant rotational spot in this group. Xavier Tillman has further hurdles to climb now and the clock is ticking on his possibilities to be an important core piece in this group.

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