This isn't exactly what Javaris Crittenton had in mind after averaging 18 minutes in 28 games for the Grizzlies last season.
This isn't how Crittenton envisioned the fall, considering his dogged summer workload.
"No,"
the 6-5 combo guard said, "I definitely didn't expect it to be going this way."
Crittenton expected to fit into the Grizzlies' youth movement. The organization expected the same.
Except that several roster changes occurred between the end of last season and now, making it difficult for Crittenton to carve out a role.
Until Wednesday, when he logged 27 minutes in a 101-97 loss to Houston, Crittenton had received little playing time in four exhibition games. Crittenton, though, doesn't appear discouraged and instead seems focused on opportunity -- something the 20-year-old hopes he gets more of in the Grizzlies' sixth preseason game tonight at Indiana.
"A lot of stuff isn't in my control right now so I just have to be patient,"
Crittenton said. "When I wake up, I just know I'm going to come in and get better."
This training camp isn't going as outsiders once predicted partly because no all-out guard battle has broken out. Mike Conley and Kyle Lowry have distinguished themselves as the starting and backup point guards, respectively, with rookie O.J. Mayo playing a starring role at shooting guard.
Griz coach Marc Iavaroni is left to sort out playing time mainly when Mayo takes a breather. That leaves Crittenton in a numbers crunch with proven veterans Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner and Quinton Ross.
"Quinton Ross is someone we really, really like,"
Iavaroni said. "Greg Buckner is a hard defender who knows what he's doing. You've got 10 guys 23 years old and younger, so you've got to play some of the (older) guys you've brought in."
Against Houston, Crittenton stepped in while Buckner was nursing a sore right ankle. Crittenton first seemed to revert to old habits, poor shot selection and shaky ball-handling. He soon settled down, using his athleticism to make offensive plays in the lane and play aggressive defense. Crittenton finished with a team-high five assists.
"I feel like I did what I had to do this summer,"
said Crittenton, who worked on his shooting and footwork with former NBA point guard Mark Price in Atlanta. "You never know what will happen in the NBA. I'm going to stay ready."
Crittenton has 50 games of NBA experience and an opportunity to help his standing if he can play the point. Iavaroni always is looking for more poise and consistent shooting out of the youngster.
Crittenton has good size at his position and fearlessly attacks the basket with a knack for finishing. But he's more adept at creating for himself than for others.
Iavaroni conceded that Mayo's presence "definitely hurts Javaris' minutes."
The predicament is something third-year point guard Lowry understands. Lowry was a first-round draft pick who had to give way to another -- Conley -- in his second season.
"Javaris is handling it very well,"
Lowry said. "Every young guy wants to play, and it's frustrating when you don't. I get frustrated when I'm not playing. But he's coming in every day practicing hard."
General manager Chris Wallace sounded as if the organization is in no hurry to part with Crittenton. Although a trade is always possible, Wallace said nothing is imminent and this situation doesn't weaken the Pau Gasol trade. The Griz insisted on acquiring Crittenton from the Los Angeles Lakers last February when they parted with Gasol.
"We didn't know we'd be (acquiring) O.J.,"
Wallace said. "But Javaris is a talent we all liked when we made the trade. I don't regret that at all. He's worked hard. He loves to play. In this business, you've got to take what you're given and build on it. He's a talented young guard who has proven he can score in this league."
