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Memphis Grizzlies: Jeff Green’s Bench Role Has Allowed Memphis To Thrive

By jasaad

Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Mavericks 112-101. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Many players in the NBA demand the limelight–but not Jeff Green. While it was expected of Coach Dave Joerger to alter the rotation, his decision to extract Green from the starting lineup came in an unexpected manner.

Tony Allen replaced Green in the starting lineup on Thursday night, but Green’s addition to the bench wasn’t a demotion. Green asked Joerger to move him to the bench so that Allen could go back in the starting lineup, per Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

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Green had apurportedly talked with veterans Marc Gasol and Vince Carter before taking his request to Joerger after the team’s road loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Joerger clearly didn’t hesitate to to concede what both the eye test and advanced metrics have revealed: Green’s staccato athleticism has mucked up the starting lineup’s chemistry and is better suited with the second unit.

Tony Allen has played with Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley for five seasons and is familiar with their tendencies. The starters with Allen have a net rating of plus-9.2, while Green is a net negative with the starting group.

The fast pace and flow of the second unit best accentuates Green’s skill set. The starters’ primary focus consists of running set plays and pounding the ball inside to the bigs. With Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph clogging the paint, Green struggled to find clear driving lanes. Additionally, as a proficient post-up scorer, Green’s post-up opportunities were diminished as a starter.

Green sounded relieved by the decision.

“The flow was there,” Green said after the Dallas win. “I’m going to end up playing with those guys in the starting unit anyway. But it’s good for myself because now I can be more aggressive. I don’t have to worry about getting Marc and Zach involved. By the time I get in they’ve already been involved. It’s on me to just go in be aggressive and try to score.”

Green admitted to being tentative with the starters.

“I did,” Green said. “When you have those All Stars on the team, you want to get them the ball. Now, I don’t have to think about it. I can just do what I do and try to score.”

Though this is Joerger’s second season as the Grizzlies‘ head coach, he’s spent his entire eight-year career with Memphis. He’s familiar with the team and cognizant of what systems work best; however, his decision to bring Green off the bench isn’t set in stone, as indicated by Ron Tillery’s tweet.

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    • Once Joerger stabilizes the rotation, the Grizzlies, who boast the second best record in the West, will look more dangerous than they ever have come playoff time. Green’s athleticism and ability to play as a stretch 4 adds a new dynamic to a team severely lacking in those areas.

    Perhaps Green will be reinserted in the starting lineup in the near future, but for now, Memphis is rolling with the continuity and chemistry of their core four in Conley, Allen, Randolph, and Gasol.

    Against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, Green checked in for Lee midway through the first quarter and played 27 minutes. In that time, he dropped 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting, grabbed three rebounds, blocked two shots, and came up with a steal. The final score of 112-101 doesn’t accurately reflect the well-rounded domination by Memphis in this contest.

    Having seemingly regained their mojo, the Grizzlies clamped down on defense and forced Dallas’ top three scorers of Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons, and Dirk Nowitzki to get clean looks at the basket, let alone score. The trio combined for a measly 11-for-33 from the field.

    The unleashed Jeff Green in his new, conducive, off-the-bench role may very well jumpstart this team to success. The Grizzlies’ attitude adjustment overall could strike fear in the hearts of their opponents and propel them to not only a deep playoff run but also to winning their first championship.

    Next: Jeff Green Isn't To Blame For Memphis Grizzlies' Slump

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