Michael Wallace, NBA.com

Michael Wallace

NBA.com

Memphis, TN, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • NBA.com
  • ESPN
  • FiveThirtyEight

Past articles by Michael:

MikeCheck: Rookie Clarke packs outside-the-box mentality and skillset for Grizzlies' training camp

After a breakout summer spent putting action behind those draft night words, Clarke will embark on his first NBA training camp on Oct. 1 as arguably the most intriguing player on the Grizzlies’ roster. That’s a lofty projection considering Memphis also drafted dynamic point guard Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick in June’s and returns power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. coming off a → Read More

MikeCheck: Team USA staff, players confident Jenkins will prove ideal fit as Grizzlies new coach

By all accounts, Jenkins blends a surgeon-like attention to detail with an in-your-face intensity. The Grizzlies and the league saw signs of that last month in Las Vegas. Three weeks after taking the job, Jenkins guided Memphis to the MGM Resorts Summer League championship while still working to finalize his staff and with No. 2 overall pick Ja Morant sitting out as a precaution. → Read More

MikeCheck: Team USA workouts boost Jackson Jr.'s momentum for sophomore NBA season

Jackson is competing with the Select Team of NBA rising stars to help the USA National Team prepare for the FIBA World Cup qualifier that starts later this month in China. His presence at Team USA training camp makes Jackson the lone teenager among 30 NBA players gathered in Vegas – a talent crop that ranges from NBA champion Kyle Lowery to burgeoning All-Stars Kemba Walker, → Read More

MikeCheck: Two takeaways from Grizzlies 3-0 Vegas start and a look-ahead to Celtics clash

LAS VEGAS – Although both Ja Morant and DeAnthony Melton are sitting out of summer league action, the Grizzlies made a strong play this week off the court to solidify the point guard position by agreeing to terms with restricted free agent Tyus Jones. → Read More

MikeCheck: With waiting game behind, Clarke and Allen getting up to speed with revamped Grizzlies

Just imagine unwrapping a gift, but then being prevented from opening it, embracing it and enjoying it for more than two weeks. Having to juggle that anticipation, that angst and that nervous energy for that long was essentially unbearable for Brandon Clarke and Grayson Allen. → Read More

MikeCheck: Once-heralded Shittu eager to regain ground with Grizzlies after rocky NBA transition

The only problem is Shittu didn’t get enough done in that one-and-done season at Vanderbilt to propel himself into the NBA via the lottery, the first round or even as a selection at all in last month’s draft. So a little more than a year removed from playing in the McDonald’s All-American prep game and entering Vanderbilt as the highest-rated recruit in program history, Shittu → Read More

MikeCheck: ‘5 Things to Watch’ as Grizzlies open SLC Summer League vs Jazz, Spurs and Cavs

The Grizzlies and Jazz will share plenty of connections in the initial days of July, starting with Monday’s matchup at Vivint Smart Home Arena in the Salt Lake City Summer League. It is the first of three games in as many days Memphis will play as part of a four-team round robin slate this week in Utah. → Read More

MikeCheck: Grizzlies affiliate 'Team Thad' carry confidence, momentum into Jr. NBA Regionals

ATLANTA – The whistle shrieks and, suddenly, sneakers screech to a halt across the hardwood basketball court earlier this week inside a Cordova training facility. Ten young teenagers circle around a group of coaches for a few final instructions as the team wrapped up its final practice in Memphis. In a few hours, a caravan of three mini-vans will transport ‘Team Thad’ on the → Read More

MikeCheck: Five initial takeaways as Jenkins embarks on job as Grizzlies' new coach

MEMPHIS – At age 34, Taylor Jenkins didn’t wait long for his first head coaching gig after developing as an assistant on two teams that posted 60-win seasons and the best record in the Eastern Conference over the past four years. Among the best benefits of landing the Memphis job? Consider it the organization’s vow that there won’t be any rush to judgement as Jenkins and the → Read More

MikeCheck: Four months after deadline deal, decisive moments loom for Raptors, Grizzlies

TORONTO – One win away from his first NBA championship, Marc Gasol casually swished a jumper from the top of the key at the end of Toronto’s practice, walked across the crowded court and submerged himself into a sea of reporters along the baseline for his media session. With a victory, Toronto will knock off the two-time defending NBA champions and capture the first title in → Read More

MikeCheck: Boosted by Memphis and 'Core Four' brothers, Gasol relishes first taste of NBA Finals

MEMPHIS – On the verge of making the first NBA Finals appearance of his 11-year NBA career up in Toronto, Marc Gasol wanted to make at least two things very clear about his journey. First, the 34-year-old center wouldn’t change one step he’s taken on the path that got him there. And secondly, he’s got plenty of room along this Finals ride for folks in Memphis who still support → Read More

MikeCheck: Morant or Barrett? Or will debate even develop in Grizz draft options for No. 2 pick?

With the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select...? The early and solid frontrunner is Murray State explosive point guard Ja Morant. Most believe he’ll be the one slipping on a Grizzlies cap, sliding across the stage on June 20 when the No. 2 pick is announced at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. But what about Duke prolific swingman RJ Barrett? → Read More

MikeCheck: Morant makes dominant first impression at Chicago’s NBA Lottery, Combine

If you expected Morant to alter his approach now, with the bright lights, massive media swarm and intense spotlight of the entire league descending on the top draft prospects in Chicago this week, then you really don’t know Ja. → Read More

MikeCheck: 5 Things to Know as Grizzlies Enter Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery

The fate of the Grizzlies franchise rests on the lucky bounces of a set of ping pong balls. Well, not entirely. But the next seismic step the Grizzlies take in what is already shaping up as a major offseason makeover will come Tuesday night in a Chicago Hilton ballroom. → Read More

MikeCheck: Valanciunas' stretch-run impact with Grizzlies aligns with NBA's resurgence at center

MEMPHIS – Among other affinities he's developed for the organization and city, Jonas Valanciunas has built quite an affection for local barbecue ribs. Even in small doses, a taste of this town tends to have that impact. It leaves you hungering for more. → Read More

MikeCheck: Hungry and healed, Jackson eager to build on promising but shortened rookie season

MEMPHIS – In every sense of the phrase, Jaren Jackson Jr. has fashioned himself a student of the NBA game throughout his promising but injury-shortened rookie season. Patience has been his hardest lesson to learn. “I’m not resting on anything,” Jackson said of his debut journey through the league. “There’s still so much to learn. I’m glad I was able to go through the ups and → Read More

MikeCheck: With shoulder surgery behind him, Anderson still counts on being right fit for Grizz

MEMPHIS – Giving as much time as he could, Kyle Anderson did everything in his power to make sure no one in the group left disappointed. So he posed for more pictures. He embraced dozens of hugs. He lingered and laughed. And then, Anderson lingered and laughed some more. At one point, a Grizzlies’ security staffer approached Anderson to inform him that he was running late for → Read More

MikeCheck: Dorsey hopes post-trade spark triggers opportunity to grow with Grizzlies

When it comes to the shooting guard position, the Grizzlies exited the season facing the same dilemma that existed when training camp opened way back in late September: Who’s at the 2? Six different players made at least one start at shooting guard for the Grizzlies, who essentially kept a revolving door spinning into the nightly rotation as they juggled injuries, trades and → Read More

MikeCheck: Conley’s future looms as largest question facing Grizzlies as franchise pivot to offseason

MEMPHIS – The ‘old man’ jokes are still funny and no longer playfully annoying. But more than anything, to Mike Conley Jr., they’re simply inaccurate. The wisecracks occasionally came from younger teammates with the Grizzlies, many of whom weren’t even yet in high school when Conley arrived in Memphis a dozen years ago as the fourth overall pick in the 2007 draft. At other → Read More

MikeCheck: Hustle riding big-shot momentum into second round of NBA G League playoffs against Rio Grande Valley

It’s the survive-and-advance nature of the G League postseason, which continues Friday night when the Hustle (28-22) face the top-seeded Rio Grande Valley Vipers (34-16) in a second-round single elimination game. The winner advances to the Western Conference finals next week. The Hustle, which won five of their final seven regular season games to make the playoffs, now seek → Read More