Grizzlies introduce rookie class of ‘dawgs’
Avery Braxton
Cedric Coward, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack all look to bring an element of toughness and tenacity to the Grizzlies organization.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — When asked about what defines this class of rookies for the Memphis Grizzlies one word kept coming up – “Dawg.”
“Not everybody gets that dawg title,” Cedric Coward said.
“Be the hardest-working dawg that you can be,” Jahmai Mashack said.
“Get a little rowdy and hype myself up to get in that dawg mode, then that’s what I’ll do,” Javon Small said.
The attitude was clearly music to the ears of Grizzlies General Manager Zach Kleiman.
“Each of the gentlemen that are joining the Memphis Grizzlies, there’s a tenacity that they embrace defensively,” Kleiman said.
It’s been a whirlwind 24 to 48 hours for Coward, Small and Mashack, but in coming to Memphis, it was clear that the trio already knows what the city is about.
Callbacks to Grit and Grind and the Core Four made the afternoon press conference on Friday, June 27, feel like 2014 again.
“What I think about the Grizzlies is a team that’s focused on winning, a team that’s focused on bringing guys here to continue their winning culture. I mean you guys know the slogan, ‘Grit and Grind.’ That’s what they’re about,” Coward said.
The No. 11 overall pick said he grew up watching the Core Four, made up of Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, even as a California native. Mashack was the last pick of the draft at No. 59 overall and is known for his defensive prowess. He saw Tony Allen as the go-to defensive role model.
“It might not be the most popular person to watch for a lot of people, but for me it was something special,” Mashack said of Allen’s play.
Small’s name getting called might have provided the emotional highlight of the NBA draft’s second round as people saw his grandfather in tears as he was hyping up his grandson.
“When I got drafted, it was kind of like he got drafted. All the sacrifices he has made to get to this point — I definitely wouldn’t be here without him,” Small said.
It was also a chance to see the Grizzlies’ rookie coach, Tuomas Iisalo, who made his first appearance since being promoted to the permanent head coaching spot.
He will see his rookies up close and personal as coach of the Summer League team while developing his assistant coaching staff.
“We can use it as a test run or a ramp-up for the coaching staff and also to invest in these young guys,” Iisalo said.
Fans can see what the rookies are made of as soon as next week. The first Summer League game for the Grizz will be July 5 against Boston in Salt Lake City.
About Post Author
