Grizzlies Notes: Dillon Brooks, Danny Green, Ja Morant

The Grizzlies entered Saturday at first place in the Southwest Division and the entire Western Conference, and along with star guard Ja Morant, forward Dillon Brooks is among the reasons why.

“(Brooks) is the ultimate competitor, and he wants to win,” coach Taylor Jenkins said, via Damichael Cole of the Commercial Appeal. “That is what it comes down to. We talk all the time about his energy, his spirit, the tone-setting he has, but he is relentless in how he approaches the game.”

Brooks has defended everyone from Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Pelicans power forward Zion Williamson — and indicated he takes great pride in that type of versatility.

“I don’t get the steals or the big-time blocks, but I’m going to give fits to whoever I got that night,” Brooks said, via Cole. 

• The Grizzlies could trade veteran shooting guard Danny Green ahead of February’s deadline, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN. “I’m not shocked,” Green said of the rumors. “At this point of my career, I hear my name quite often.”
• Morant said it’s important for the Grizzlies to not let up despite their strong start. “We feel like we’re about to get on that stride we had last year, when a couple of times we went out and won 10 straight,” Morant said, via the team website. “As you can see, we’re flowing and playing pretty good right now. We just can’t let it get away from us. We’ve got to keep our hunger and continue to be humble, go out and know every game means something to us.”

Something you don't see very often on sports talk shows:

An NBA insider (in this case Brian Windhorst) talking about a certain player being discussed in trade rumors on TV while being in the same room as him (Danny Green)! ? #NBATwitter #BigMemphis pic.twitter.com/2ihWlTbYZV

— ??????’ ??? (@_Talkin_NBA) December 16, 2022