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The Memphis Grizzlies' 2018/19 NBA season was characterised by blown leads, missed opportunities, chaotic front office decisions and a few standout performances.
The Grizzlies fans had reason to be optimistic early on, with Mike Conley fully fit, Jaren Jackson showing early promise and veteran Marc Gasol delivering on a nightly basis.
They even led the Western Conference standings during the early part of the season, holding a 16-11 record in mid-December.
However, things spiraled out of control as the season progressed and they ended in 12th with a 33-49 record.
Despite that, there were a few positives to take away from the season. Here's looking at the three best individual performances from the Grizzlies' underwhelming 2018/19 campaign:
#3 Jaren Jackson Jr - A star is born
The Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 draft and the 19-year-old lit up the FedEx Forum in his rookie season.
Jackson averaged close to 14 points in just over 26 minutes of playing time per game and it appears the Grizzlies have a gem on their hands.
Jackson produced a number of jaw-dropping moments in his first season in the NBA, but none were as electrifying as his performance against the Brooklyn Nets in a double-overtime victory on the road.
Jackson scored 11 of the Grizzlies' first 13 points, but the manner in which he closed out the game is what will be etched in fans' memories in the years to come.
With the Grizzlies trailing by 7 points with under 30 seconds to play, Jackson went on an absolute tear, converting a four-point play to cut the lead to three.
He then forced D'Angelo Russell into a turnover, before heading down the other end and draining a three to send the game into overtime.
Jackson finished with 36 points, becoming only the fifth teenager in NBA history to achieve such a feat, and also contributed 8 rebounds on 13-22 shooting from the field.
#2 Jonas Valanciunas' monster double-double vs Phoenix
Jonas Valanciunas arrived in Memphis as part of the trade that sent fan favourite Marc Gasol the other way, and he knew that he had big boots to fill.
Valanciunas quickly adhered himself to fans with a sparkling display against the fast-sinking Phoenix Suns.
The Lithuanian dropped a career-high 34 points, leading the Grizzlies to a 120-115 win on the road.
Valanciunas also grabbed 20 rebounds - 11 of which were on the offensive glass - as he dominated the paint and took full advantage of Dragan Bender's liabilities after starting centre DeAndre Ayton had gone off injured.
He shot 16-28 from the field and chipped in with 5 assists and a couple of steals as well to cap off a truly remarkable night.
10 of his points came in the final 4 minutes of the game as he led the Grizzlies on a 16-9 run to help them pull away from the Suns down the stretch.
#1 MiKe Conley's career night
Mike Conley is unarguably one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA at the moment. Forming a vital cog of Memphis' system, Conley has been among their best players over the past few years although his campaigns have been ravaged by debilitating injuries.
Despite that, he has often held his own when matched up against elite point guards like Steph Curry and Damian Lillard, and the 2018/19 season was evidence that he could not just compete, but outshine some of the best guards in the league.
With the Grizzlies all but out of the playoff race when they hosted the Portland Trail Blazers, Conley could've been forgiven for tuning out on the night. However, the only man still standing since the Grizzlies' playoff glory days decided he wanted his moment in the sun.
Conley went scoreless in the first quarter, but exploded in the second half, torching the Trail Blazers with 40 points (a career-high). 19 of those came in a remarkable fourth quarter as he helped the Grizzlies to a 120-111 victory in front of a delirious home crowd.
Conley shot 12-18 from the field, including 6-7 from beyond the arc, and added 4 rebounds and 4 assists in what was Memphis' highlight of the season.
Guess the Lakers players!
