SAN FRANCISCO – A big smile appeared on Kyle Anderson’s face as he reflected on his fourth and final season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 2021-2022 Grizzlies season ended with a franchise record 56 wins. For many players on that team, this was the most fun they ever had in the NBA.
“Easy,” Anderson told The Commercial Appeal. “There’s no doubt about it. On and off the court. We got along great off the court. That was the special thing. I’ve never been on an NBA team like that. Our camaraderie was extraordinary.”
“We just thought we were going to be together for the rest of our lives,” Jaren Jackson Jr. said. “That’s how we acted. … That team was special.”
The basketball universe has a strange way of shaping history. That 2021-2022 season ended with a tough playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors in six games. It was an emotional series that gave rise to rivalry and resentment between the two enemies.
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 game due to an ACL injury.
Golden State isn’t the first team Melton or Anderson has 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.
Moving to another team happens. It’s part of the company. But the fighters?
“Every time we see those guys on that team, it’s always a great atmosphere and big smiles,” Bane said. “I hate that they had to end there.”
“It was weird when I first put on the Warriors gear, but I love it here,” Anderson said. “They welcomed both Melton and myself with open arms. We obviously miss Memphis, the city, the fans, but that’s just the way it goes.”
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 bond with the core of the team. He has previously said he feels the 2021-22 Grizzlies were cut short too early. He was on the teams when Jackson, Bane and Ja Morant all came in as rookies.
Now those players are the leaders. Anderson was once one of the vocal Grizzlies players pushing these players to be better, and now, facing 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 program, but they still played their part as young guys and gave the vets the respect. Now they’re megastars.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
