Former Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson reflects on Memphis tenure

On By Littum

SAN FRANCISCO — A big smile flashed across Kyle Anderson’s face as he recalled his fourth and final season with the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies’ 2021–22 season finished with a franchise-record 56 wins. For many players who were on that team, it was the most fun they ever had in the NBA.

“Easy,” Anderson told The Commercial Appeal. “No question. On and off the court. We really got off the court. That was special. I’ve never been on an NBA team like that. Our camaraderie was off the charts.”

“We just thought we were going to be together for the rest of our lives,” Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “That’s how we carried ourselves. … That team was special.”

The basketball universe has a strange way of shaping history. That 2021-22 season ended with a tough playoff series loss to the Golden State Warriors in six games. It was an emotional series that created talk of a rivalry and animosity between the two foes.

Fast forward to now, two former Grizzlies from that team are on the Warriors, including Anderson. The other player is De’Anthony Melton, who missed Friday’s Grizzlies-Warriors matchup with an ACL injury.

Golden State isn’t the first team Melton or Anderson played for since leaving Memphis. Melton was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in a draft trade that sent David Roddy and Danny Green to Memphis. Anderson signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency.

Going to another team happens. It’s part of the business. But the Warriors?

“Every time we see those guys from that team, it’s always good vibes and big smiles,” Bane said. “I hate that they had to end up over there.”

“It was weird at first putting on the Warriors gear, but I love it here,” Anderson said. “They welcomed both Melton and myself with open arms. Of course we miss Memphis, the city, the fans, but that’s the way the business goes.”

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After the Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 123-118 on Friday, Anderson and Jackson met on the floor. When they finished talking, Bane entered.

Anderson is no longer with the Grizzlies, but he has a special connection to the team’s core. He has previously said he feels the 2021-22 Grizzlies were broken up too soon. He was on the teams when Jackson, Bane and Ja Morant all came in as rookies.

Now these players are the leaders. Anderson was once one of the vocal Grizzlies players who pushed those players to be better, and now, as an opponent of a rival, he’s seeing the results.

“I love it,” Anderson said. “You kind of knew they were going to be the big dogs of the show, but they still played their part in being the young guys, which gave the vets the respect. Now they’re megastars.”

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.