Hamed Haddadi doesn’t know if he’s officially in the Grizzlies’ rotation.

What the 7-foot backup center is certain of is that he’s better prepared to give the team quality minutes. Haddadi has played in just eight games this season, but three of those appearances have come in the last four games.

Haddadi logged 10 minutes — two shy of his season high — to help the Griz earn a victory Sunday night at Phoenix. He’s been less mistake-prone and able to stay active around the basket for longer stretches. Haddadi’s performance typically faded after six or seven minutes in the past.

“Any time they call your name, you have to be ready to help the team win,” said Haddadi, who had elective surgery in June to repair ligament and tendon damage from an old, non-basketball-related injury.

“They’re always pushing me to work and teaching me stuff to get better,” Haddadi said. “I appreciate having teammates that push me to work harder and get better.”

via Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal