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The Memphis Grizzlies may have been worried about forward Cedric Coward in Salt Lake City. In Las Vegas, he proved that they have nothing to worry about.
It was a tale of two summers for Coward. Luckily, he excelled in the league with a larger sample size and, for the most part, stiffer competition. Despite some early hiccups, you'd have to say this was a successful summer for Coward.
Most of Coward's early struggles came by way of three-point inefficiency. In Salt Lake City, he hit just 28.6% of his three-point attempts.
That's an ugly mark. Grizzlies fans feared that it was a sign of what was to come.
Luckily, it was the exact opposite.
Across six games in Vegas, Coward hit 41.7% of his three-point attempts. His overall performance was enough to earn him All-Summer League Second Team honors, following the All-Rookie First Team recognition he earned in May. What's especially encouraging is that even after a slump, Coward was able to turn it around and deliver.
And he did it with more than just three-point shooting.
In Vegas, Coward looked like a star, averaging 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Coward is more than just a floor spacer. He can create shots from scratch, and he's developing as a playmaker. In theory, he's a Paul George-esque wing who can work as a three-and-D while also operating as one of the team's top shot creators.
Only, the model breaks down if he's not a consistent threat from deep. Coward is a rare talent, but he's not quite so unique as to survive without a three-ball. He's not physically exceptional enough to dominate opponents by relying on paint touches.
By contrast, when the three is dropping, he looks like a potential primary scoring option. That's what we saw in Vegas. If it's something the Grizzlies see in 2026-27, they'll be extremely encouraged.
It could result in some foundational franchise decisions.
Coward struggled in Salt Lake, but by Vegas, he looked like a player who'd outgrown Summer League.
This is a guy who's ready to play NBA basketball. The same could even be said for teammate Cameron Boozer, a rookie forward.
How long should we expect the Grizzlies to miss the playoffs?
They're highly unlikely to get there next season. Memphis will likely be done playing basketball in the spring. That said, if Boozer looks relatively NBA-ready as a rookie, and Coward continues on the developmental timeline we're seeing, it could be the last season the Grizzlies miss out on the postseason dance for some time.
For now, at least they don't have to worry about Coward.
Continue reading...
It was a tale of two summers for Coward. Luckily, he excelled in the league with a larger sample size and, for the most part, stiffer competition. Despite some early hiccups, you'd have to say this was a successful summer for Coward.
1. Coward Will Find His Shot
Most of Coward's early struggles came by way of three-point inefficiency. In Salt Lake City, he hit just 28.6% of his three-point attempts.
That's an ugly mark. Grizzlies fans feared that it was a sign of what was to come.
Luckily, it was the exact opposite.
Across six games in Vegas, Coward hit 41.7% of his three-point attempts. His overall performance was enough to earn him All-Summer League Second Team honors, following the All-Rookie First Team recognition he earned in May. What's especially encouraging is that even after a slump, Coward was able to turn it around and deliver.
And he did it with more than just three-point shooting.
2. Coward Has Star Potential
In Vegas, Coward looked like a star, averaging 19.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Coward is more than just a floor spacer. He can create shots from scratch, and he's developing as a playmaker. In theory, he's a Paul George-esque wing who can work as a three-and-D while also operating as one of the team's top shot creators.
Only, the model breaks down if he's not a consistent threat from deep. Coward is a rare talent, but he's not quite so unique as to survive without a three-ball. He's not physically exceptional enough to dominate opponents by relying on paint touches.
By contrast, when the three is dropping, he looks like a potential primary scoring option. That's what we saw in Vegas. If it's something the Grizzlies see in 2026-27, they'll be extremely encouraged.
It could result in some foundational franchise decisions.
3. Coward Could Accelerate the Grizzlies' Timeline
Coward struggled in Salt Lake, but by Vegas, he looked like a player who'd outgrown Summer League.
This is a guy who's ready to play NBA basketball. The same could even be said for teammate Cameron Boozer, a rookie forward.
How long should we expect the Grizzlies to miss the playoffs?
They're highly unlikely to get there next season. Memphis will likely be done playing basketball in the spring. That said, if Boozer looks relatively NBA-ready as a rookie, and Coward continues on the developmental timeline we're seeing, it could be the last season the Grizzlies miss out on the postseason dance for some time.
For now, at least they don't have to worry about Coward.
Continue reading...
