Memphis Grizzlies’ Scotty Pippen Jr. calls Lakers matchup ‘personal’

On November 14, 2024By Littum

Fresh off a strong defensive performance on Halloween night, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. at his locker with a group of journalists.

He was asked about his effort to help limit Milwaukee Bucks All-Star guard Damian Lillard to a 1-for-12 shooting night in the Grizzlies’ 122-99 victory. Pippen mentioned how he embraced the game after growing up watching Lillard. Then, without being prompted, he turned.

“And also one of the coaches over there didn’t believe in me, so I definitely wanted to show that I can play some defense and give it my all,” Pippen said.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who Pippen was referring to. Darvin Ham, an assistant with the Bucks, was the Los Angeles Lakers head coach when Pippen spent parts of two seasons there.

At that moment, it sounded like Pippen’s grip was more with Him than with the Lakers organization. A week later he corrected that perception.

“I think this game is still personal,” Pippen said before a Nov. 6 home game against the Lakers. “I would definitely say it’s a chip on my shoulder when I go out there and try to prove myself again.”

Pippen scored 14 points and added four assists off the bench later that day in a 131–114 win over the Lakers. The win was sweet, but the Grizzlies face them again in a quick turnaround, a Wednesday game (9 p.m. CT, ESPN) in Los Angeles.

Resurgent career in Memphis

The Lakers were the team that gave Pippen a shot in the NBA. He went undrafted coming out of Vanderbilt in 2022, and they signed him to a two-way contract in July of that year. He spent most of the season with the G League affiliate South Bay Lakers, where he averaged 22.2 points a game.

Pippen was waived by the Lakers in October 2023, then re-signed with South Bay. on average more than 20 points per game when the Grizzlies hit the court in January 2024. They have given Pippen a chance to further his career and he has been one of the team’s most consistent players.

“It’s been full circle,” Pippen said. “When I was over there (in LA), not really many options.”

What happened to the Lakers?

Pippen’s performance as a productive G League player has translated to Memphis. So much so that it’s fair to wonder what made the Lakers pass on the young point guard?

Pippen felt he had done enough. And Lakers superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis were instrumental in his time in Los Angeles, two players he learned the most from in two training camps.

“They believed in me,” Pippen said. “They told me to keep working. I don’t know if they saw that I wanted that kind of path, so they might be shocked by it, but those are my guys.”

Are they shocked? Apparently James isn’t.

“Been a professional. He grew up in it. He grew up around it,” James said. “He has also made a mark. He has been a professional. I knew it when he was with us, and unfortunately he is no longer, but I am happy for him.”

Another opportunity vs the Lakers

Pippen recently joined his father, Scottie Pippen, as the first father-son duo in NBA history to record triple-doubles. He is averaging 12.1 points per game. game, and his 6.5 assists per night, it is mostly a reserve in the NBA.

Right now, however, he is not a reserve. Grizzlies star Ja Morant is injured, so Pippen has been inserted into the starting lineup. He is 2-0 in that role, but the toughest test yet lies ahead: the Lakers are undefeated at home.

The extra motivation will be there. Pippen won’t be sitting at the end of the bench handing out high-fives this time.

He is tasked with leading a Grizzlies team playing its best basketball into a hostile road environment. These are the moments he has been waiting for in the NBA.

“Just to come (to Memphis), contribute to the team, play and finally feel like I belong,” Pippen said.

Damichael Cole is the one Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.