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Brandon Clarke's most underrated weapon

By Cholo Martin Magsino

Brandon Clarke's most underrated weapon

When Brandon Clarke was fully healthy in the 2022-23 and 2021-22 seasons, he was one of the Memphis Grizzlies' most reliable bench scorers.

While most back-up big men rely on athleticism and power to get buckets, Clarke's game is more diverse. He could fly high for explosive dunks and has a soft touch around the rim, and the ability to shoot over bigs using his trademark floater is an underrated part of his game.

"One of the most efficient shots in the NBA is a Brandon Clarke floater!" NBA University said on X last week. "Clarke made over 61% of his floaters in 62 games combined over the last two seasons."

"It would be massive to have a fully healthy season of his nifty float mastery & solid defense in the rotation," NBA University added.

Clarke's floater can be a weapon for the Grizzlies

Since Ja Morant has become the superstar of the Grizzlies, the team's primary weapon in its offensive system has been the pick-and-roll.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is usually Ja's pick-and-roll partner, as he can both finish at the rim and do a pick-and-pop with his perimeter shooting. But Clarke is also an excellent option for Morant, who can finish the play with dunks or his soft floater.

Clarke takes teardrops at the apex of his jump. As NBA University stated, B.C.'s floater is one of the most efficient shots in basketball. In the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, the former Gonzaga standout was superb due to his usage of the floater. If he can continue doing that in the 2024-25 season, Clarke can be one of the most reliable scorers on the team.

Grizzlies 2024-25: A more diverse offense

With the season approaching, Coach Taylor Jenkins is finding ways to make the team more productive on both sides of the floor. He has challenged Morant and Desmond Bane to be stronger and more consistent on defense.

Having Clarke, Jackson, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey as the frontcourt rotation could improve Memphis' place in the standings.

Memphis should consider leaning into B.C.'s specialty, setting up more plays for him to get his floater off.

Having that versatility in the paint offense could lead to better results for the Grizzlies, as it would diversify their offense and ease the burden carried by stars Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jackson Jr.

Related: Brandon Clarke's three most electrifying blocks

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