The “Grit and Grind” Memphis Grizzlies need to find a new approach and fast. With the NBA rapidly moving towards small ball lineups and constant three-point shooting, Memphis has not adjusted to the changing times and are paying the price. It may not seem as if the Grizzlies are suffering considering their current place in the fifth seed, and their fifth seed standing last season. However, their potential is limited if they continue to pretend that the three point line doesn’t exist. The franchise hasn’t made it past the Conference Semifinals in three seasons, so at this point it’s time to destroy the Grindhouse.
Since the 2010-2011 season, the Memphis Grizzlies have been known for their stifling defense. At the beginning of that season, the Grizzlies acquired defensive minded guard Tony Allen through free agency. From that point onward, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Allen have been the core of the defensive minded organization. Following that season, the team finished top 15 in opposing ppg and field goal percentage, top 10 in point differential, and first in opponents turnovers per game. Gasol and Randolph have been an outstanding frontcourt pairing, the former even winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 2012-2013 season. Additionally, Allen has made the All-Defensive 1st team four out of the last five seasons. The Grizzlies can play lockdown defense, but their offense is what causes the monotony in Memphis.
The Grizzlies will never have a legitimate chance at winning a championship unless they conform to the new way basketball is played in the NBA. Teams are shooting more threes, stretching the floor, and playing at faster paces with smaller lineups. Apparently, Memphis hasn’t gotten that message as David Joerger’s Grizzlies play at the fourth-worst pace in the league. The only players that shoot more than one three per game for the Grizzlies are point guard Mike Conley, and forward Matt Barnes. Both players shoot under 36% from deep, which is definitely a problem in the modern NBA. The Grizzlies are a putrid 26th in three-point field percentage, and 27th in three-pointers attempted. Not every team has a roster to execute run and gun plays, however; taking only 17 threes a game won’t get a franchise to the NBA Finals, let alone past the first round.
Zach Randolph’s old school, back to the basket, ground and pound, style of play won’t help Memphis progress. Marc Gasol is younger, a better passer, provides more offense, and recently signed a five-year extension with Memphis. Randolph is an aging big man with an expiring contract, and a playstyle that is becoming obsolete in the NBA. Allen also has an expiring contract, but he is a defensive stopper; which doesn’t come around often. One of the two frontcourt mates has to go in order for the Grizzlies to have a chance in the future; the logical decision is to cut ties with Randolph. They should either look for trade options for Z-Bo or let him walk him free agency next season. He has done so much for this franchise, but Memphis requires younger pieces and better shooters for the future.
Until a change is made that signifies Memphis has accommodated to the new style of the NBA, they will continue to annually be eliminated in the early rounds of the playoffs.
