Tuomas Isalo, who is one game back from a knee injury, explains why Cedric Coward's education is entering its most demanding semester yet. Beale Street's busted Memphis Grizzlies have been through more than 60 games in a relatively disappointing year, yet the ordeal for their NBA All-Rookie candidate is far from over. However, forget about hitting any proverbial walls for a first-timer; There are a dozen All-Stars who need cover to finish the season.
Over the next six weeks the Measuring Sticks earned their single-name reputation. Giannis, KD, Kawhi, Cade and Jokic are all that stands between the Grizzlies (23-37) and the recovery phase of the offseason. James Harden, Jalen Brunson and CJ McCollum will be chasing the win until the end. That trio can make a fool of absolutely anyone, but the coward is expected to answer the call.
"(Coward) is going to be tasked with some very tough matches," Isalo admitted. "(Against the Minnesota Timberwolves), he had assets guarding them from (Anthony Edwards) to (Julius Randle). He can definitely get better at the point of attack. Every young man in his rotation can be better."
The 22-year-old played 21 minutes off the bench in his return after a seven-match absence. He scored 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting with two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. By pitting Coward against the league's elite, the Grizzlies hope to accelerate his development and build the consistency needed to compete at the highest level.
Edwards was nearly unstoppable for Minnesota, adding five steals in his 41-point outburst. Randle's double-double and Jaden McDaniel's efficient 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting rounded out the Timberwolves' balanced effort. For Coward, the night served as both a challenge and a preview. The remainder of the gauntlet figures to shape the final chapter of a promising All-Rookie caliber season.
Isalo made it clear that he is counting on that experience to make an impression. The Grizzlies also hope the young core will play up to the standard, building a culture and product that everyone can be proud of. That's the only way to be on the other side of the NBA playoff line.
"It's just letting the guys in the locker room know that I hope we don't take the opportunities to play against teams of this level for granted," Isalo shared. “This is the level that every one of our players and our team is trying to get to, and you only get there by experiencing it, understanding that this is a tough, experienced team that we have stepped up to, but we have to be consistent for 48 minutes.”
Through 48 games, Coward is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 46.8% from the field and 34.0% from 3-point range. The Washington State alumnus's numbers per 40 minutes have increased to 20.7 points and 9.4 rebounds, with a true shooting percentage of 58.1%, which shows that this production can increase efficiently.
There's no better time for the Grizzlies to find out than the next six weeks. Given Cedric Coward's competitive nature, bringing him back into action was never an option. However, that fire is there when they throw it at the superstars and see what happens. If he can continue to be a two-way defensive force capable of consistently dropping 20 and 10, Memphis will have at least one silver lining worth its weight in gold in the summer.
