Lonnie Walker IV – San Antonio Spurs
This season has been very up-and-down for the San Antonio Spurs and they are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, which would be the first time this has ever happened in the Spurs 54-year history as an NBA organization!
With a lot of young, athletic talent, the Spurs are definitely starting to work their way back to being a relevant team and threat in the Western Conference, but if they do not win against the Memphis Grizzlies and then against the loser of the Lakers/Warriors, then they could be heading towards a rebuild with DeMar DeRozan and Rudy Gay being pending unrestricted free agents.
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Overall though, we know what the Spurs will get from DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and Dejounte Murray in this 9/10 seed battle with the Grizzlies, but Lonnie Walker IV is going to be the “swing player” for them and could ultimately decide their fate.
With Derrick White being out for the season, the Spurs are limited on who they can depend on for offensive production and given that the Grizzlies can put up a lot of points with a variety of different lineups and players, Walker will have to step up into a big role in this game.
On the season, Lonnie Walker IV averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and shot 35.5% from three-point range, but his ability to attack the paint either in transition or from the wing is what makes him an intriguing player to watch in this series.
He will likely draw Grayson Allen or Desmond Bane as a defensive matchup and he will need to use his explosiveness and athleticism to attack the basket and potentially get to the free-throw line numerous times. If he can do this, the Spurs will have a chance to beat the Grizzlies, but overall, their lack of production may be their ultimate downfall.
Assuming DeMar DeRozan, Dejounte Murray and Rudy Gay do not go for 30+ points individually, a lot of the pressure for the Spurs will fall on guys like Lonnie Walker IV, Keldon Johnson and Patty Mills to make big shots to keep them in this game.
