Jerome leads the Grizzlies in scoring over five games this season, and the team's offense rates better with him on the floor than its own average. The question now is whether his body holds up as the schedule tightens, starting with the Pelicans tonight.
Is Jerome's scoring real or a hot week?
Five games is a small sample, so hold the number loosely. He scores 25.8 in 29.9 minutes, shooting 47.3% overall and 88.9% at the free-throw line. His 34.4% on 6.4 three-point tries a night is ordinary. The 60.4% true shooting comes from getting to the line and finishing, not from a three-point heater, and that kind of scoring tends to travel.
How much of the offense runs through him?
A lot. His usage is 30.5% and his assist percentage is 31.5%, with 5.8 assists against 2.0 turnovers. His offensive rating of 120.9 sits above the team's 118.8. He is not just taking shots; he is the guard who creates them. Cameron Boozer, at 17.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists, gets a partner who can run the show.
Can Memphis count on him to stay on the floor?
That is the open question. He was inactive against the Kings on Oct. 31 with back trouble, then cleared Nov. 1, and he is off the injury report now. Memphis won that game 136-105 without him, which says plenty about the depth. Still, he has appeared in five of six games, and Pippen and Post are only day-to-day. Health is the one variable here.
What does his contract mean for the Grizzlies?
He earns $9.2M this season, fifth on the payroll behind Grant, Caldwell-Pope, Stewart and Boozer. Next season is $9.7M, and it is a player option. At that price, a 25.8-point scorer is a bargain for a club sitting $161.1M under the cap line. Our count also has him 90 points short of 2,500 for his career; at this season's pace, that is roughly four outings.
How many points is Ty Jerome scoring this season?
He scores 25.8 points a game in five appearances, with 5.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 29.9 minutes. It is a small sample, so the numbers can still move.
Is Ty Jerome injured?
No. He missed the Kings game on Oct. 31 with back trouble, was cleared Nov. 1, and is not on the injury report for the Pelicans game.
