Why the Grizzlies’ country-loving Cam Spencer will ‘attack any scheme’

Wander into any opposing locker room lately, and Cam Spencer’s name came up on the board. No one on Beale Street should be particularly shocked by the news. Zach Kleiman is retooling the Memphis Grizzlies expected this increase to come eventually. The respect the former UConn champion commands from opponents now represents the culmination of countless early mornings in empty gyms.

That attention is a testament to all the hours spent when no one was watching, or even listening, to Spencer’s early-morning ramblings. Hundreds of players have a chance to dress up. Being recognized as a real threat in the NBA is worth more than any number on a contract, especially for a late (53rd) second-round pick.

“It means a lot. Hard work pays off. I’m not that surprised, but it’s exciting,” Spencer admitted. “I’m going to keep working, I’m going to keep working hard. It’s great to have that respect from other teams, when they’re really preparing for you. As a competitor, you want to find a way to beat that scout, hit some big shots and help the team win any way I can.”

Well, Spencer (11.8 points, 5.6 assists) should be free to do anything but hype music.

Grizzlies are mixing things up

As Tuomas Iisal’s Grizzlies tried to mix things up in the midst of a difficult season, that DJ idea was reportedly scratched. Jokes about hitting the gym early just to load a playlist aside, the 25-year-old wasn’t quite ready to admit to a musical crime when pressed by ClutchPoints.

“Maybe so, because I’m a big country music fan,” Spencer laughed, “but I don’t think it was me. I’m pretty low on the DJ board. If I play country, I get kicked out real quick.”

A sly, small concession for a player entrusted with controlling literally everything else as the Grizzlies navigate the final stretch of a tumultuous season. While Spencer may rank low in the AUX hierarchy, his voice carries weight where it counts. On every hoop court, the championship experience speaks louder than any speaker system.

Spencer’s top-5 three-point shooting (45.3%) should be included in long-term plans this season. Whichever way the trade winds blow this offseason, getting attention just allows him to show off some of last summer’s work. Catch-and-shoot threats are one thing; Cam is being asked to work as the lead ball handler much more often. This is where that initial validation can become a nightmare for some players, a knock-out blow to their career trajectory.

The top turned out to be asking too much, but the Grizzlies aren’t getting those vibes so far. Spencer has four or more assists in all but three games since Thanksgiving. Has at least eight assists in seven of last 17 games dating back to Feb. 11. Tuomas Iisalo had to see his 21-point, 11-assist, five-rebound performance in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Expect to see a few more of those standout nights below.

Fittingly, this conversation came right before Teofimo Lopez’s fight against Shakur Stevenson. The Mike Tyson quote about everyone having a plan until they get punched in the face was mentioned. That’s why Spencer spent over a thousand tracked hours practicing the counters at this point. No one sees that pace slowing down.

The ‘why’ in the process is simple.

“It’s a lot of fun and it shows if you’re a well-rounded basketball player. Then you’ll have counters to whatever defensive scheme they throw at you,” Spencer noted. “They’ll try to mix it up, but if you’re a well-balanced player, you’ll show you can adapt and attack whatever scheme they have.”

Spencer’s assist rates have increased over the past month, and the giving doesn’t stop when the clock hits zero.

Cam Spencer of the Grizzlies returns

Along with Pat and Will, the brothers used their platform to give back to theirs community with charity entertainment. Competitive energy is channeled into poker and golf before training camp to help raise funds for veterans struggling with PTSD. Of course, there were a few busted hands and chips that got away during the annual series. However, Cam isn’t quite focused on revenge on the felt or redemption on the green just yet.

When it comes to really connecting with people, Hoops still has its heart. There are still seasons to play and some respect for everyone in the locker room. It’s a test of character that Spencer keeps passing. Still, the cold will surely come; it happens to everyone eventually. Having a solid support system makes it easy to stay safe despite mounting losses.

“Faith and family are two things that definitely mean a lot to me,” Spencer emphasized. “I think those are the foundations of life. I wouldn’t be here without my family, all the people who helped me get here.”

That was a big reason why the brothers started the foundation. This is also why Spencer does not posit belief as a boundary line so much as a basis for perspective. Everything else is filled with basketball.

“We were a Christian family growing up, but whatever you believe,” Spencer explained, “I think it’s important to believe in something. I think the great thing about sports, especially basketball, is that it brings people from all over the world together to share the same love of competition, passion and love of the game. It’s a way to show unity on the court.”

The Grizzlies might push him away from the Bluetooth play button, but in the heart of wrestling country, Spencer’s sweet chin music should help fans find the silver lining of a lottery-bound season. In the process, Memphis has at least developed an invaluable cultural and building element on the field for the future.