Could Jameer Nelson Help The Memphis Grizzlies?

By D. Goodman | Jun 8, 2015

Mar 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (28) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

If you watched any part of the Memphis Grizzlies recent playoff run that ended with their loss to the Golden State Warriors, then you know how important starting point guard Mike Conley is.

When Conley went down with a facial fracture that required surgery, he missed the final two games of the Grizzlies’ series against the Portland Trail Blazers and Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Warriors. In those games Memphis went 1-2 and it was readily apparent to everyone that their offense just wasn’t the same.

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Aside from the 14.4 points, 5.0 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game Conley averaged, there is no question that he is what makes the Grizzlies’ offense run. With so much emphasis on their defense and minimizing their opponents ability to score, to have a floor general who just knows what to do and can get it done is incredibly important. Conley does that and more when he is on the court.

It’s when Conley is not on the court that is the issue.

While both Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes are fine options during the regular season, neither can really be counted on to get the job done when it matters the most: playoff time. Udrih is slightly better, averaging 7.6 points, 3.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game during the 2014-15 postseason, but regardless, he is not the kind of guard who you would want to give the ball with five seconds left and the game on the line. That may be harsh, but unfortunately it’s also the truth.

Calathes is a free agent this offseason and most likely headed out of Memphis while rookie Jordan Adams is too raw to be of any help with the team in “win now” mode. The Grizzlies need a decent backup point guard who can play, knows how to win, has some playoff experience and can be the type of floor general the offense needs.

Enter guard Jameer Nelson.

Last week Real GM revealed that Nelson is planning to opt out of his player option with the Denver Nuggets for next season and try his luck in free agency. Nelson played for three different organizations last season (the Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and the Nuggets) and despite that, still managed to average 8.3 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game including a 22-point, five assist performance against the Trail Blazers.

But more importantly, Nelson has proven time and time again that he is a team guy first and foremost. He has never been a glory hound or the type of player to play just for personal stats. Nelson plays hard, works harder and simply wants one more chance to win before his career comes to an end.

Sounds like Nelson would be the perfect fit for Memphis and their Grit-n-Grind, selfless style of play.

Nelson is 33 years old and is now an 11-year veteran of the league. While for most teams that would be a minus, for the Grizzlies that would be a considerable plus.

Nelson has playoff experience and has averaged 15 points, 4.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds in his playoff career, which would be a vast improvement over Udrih. He is also a proven player who has shown he can run an offense and run it well as a starter or off the bench. Most importantly, Nelson would come cheap. He was scheduled to make $2.85 million next season as a member of the Nuggets and, depending on what happens with Marc Gasol, that’s a figure the Grizzlies should be able to work with.

For a team such as the Grizzlies who want to win an NBA championship sooner rather than later, veteran experience is a commodity that can’t be measured in dollars. Nelson could help deepen their bench considerably and ensure that a situation like what happened with Conley’s injury not happen again.

Jammer Nelson has always been considered one of the most all-around solid players in the NBA as well as a stand-up guy who always puts the needs of his team first. He could be the perfect solution to one of the Grizzlies biggest offseason needs.

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