Memphis Grizzlies: Offseason Reassessment

Although they’re usually not involved nor thrown around in huge offseason speculation, the Memphis Grizzlies have an above average core that trades punches with the league’s top contenders in the hardest conference in basketball, the West.

With a less than appealing money situation and without the allure of a glamorous NBA city on their side to recruit younger talent, the Grizzlies are directing their offseason efforts inside their organization. They’re used to flying under the radar and becoming relevant just when the time’s right, the playoffs.

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Coming out of the West isn’t easy, the Grizzlies are clearly missing one or two pieces that’ll take them closer to perennial contenders like the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks.

The draft’s done and the market for players who’d likely end up with the Grizzlies is slim to non-existent. So what’s next for them?

Led by Spaniard/defensive extraordinaire Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies are in dire need for a “sure-thing” offensive weapon that could take them to the other level.

For the 2013-14 season the Grizzlies had 96.1 points per game, good enough for the 27th place in the league (per nba.com/stats). With a “grit & grind” defense that ranked third in opponent points per game with 94.6 points per game (per nba.com/stats), the Grizzlies should most definitely try to secure a high scoring offensive player.

Why? The Grizzlies are missing out on the third-best defense in the league.

It’s not ideal to keep your opponents to 94.6 points per game if you’re averaging 96.1 points per game. Sure, you’re still about 1.5 points to the positive, but games are close enough to keep you from becoming one of the most dominant teams in the NBA.

Imagine if you were able to keep that same (or something close to) defensive effort going and have the power to put up 100 points per game?

As It’s previously been stated here, the Grizzlies are loaded. Adding a player as versatile as Jordan Adams is just going to help their chances to find the offense their missing. Regardless, Jordan Adams is not ready to start for the Grizzlies immediately. With unprecedented depth at each position, it’s hard to think how a rookie like Adams could take a veteran’s spot in a pseudo-contender like the Grizzlies.

Even though they’re working on their offense, there’s still a long way to go since there’s not enough draft picks nor money for the team to make a dramatic change from one season to another.

Why don’t they put team owner Robert J. Pera on the floor?

(P.S. He’s the one with the shooting sleeve).