Memphis Grizzlies: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 Media Day
By Greg Cassoli
3. A preview of camp competition
Head coach David Fizdale talked with Grizzly Bear Blues about an impending camp competition between between Tyreke Evans and Wade Baldwin, saying, “I’m going to roll the ball out and see which bulldog wants it.”
The two will be competing, presumably, for the starting guard spot next to Mike Conley in the Grizzlies’ season opener. The battle for that distinction was meant to be a larger race, with free agent addition Ben McLemore as a key candidate, but a foot injury will keep him sidelined for at least the first several weeks of play.
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis employs several other fringe contenders to land the gig in Wayne Selden, Andrew Harrison and Dillon Brooks, but Fizdale has made it clear who has a fast track to securing the job, and it’s Evans and Baldwin.
It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Evans coming out on top. He’s got a track record of success at the NBA level, and while it may make sense to give time to some of the team’s younger options from a developmental perspective, the Grizzlies are hoping to compete in the present. That means putting out the best players available to them.
Assuming Evans comes back from injury as even close to the player he’s shown capable of being, there isn’t much to suggest that any of Memphis’ young pups are ready to step up just yet.
If Evans isn’t himself, or if one of the Grizzlies youthful alternatives really figured things out over the summer, then this whole equation is subject to shift. It’s something to monitor throughout training camp and the preseason though, so keep an eye out for a more detailed overview of Fizdale’s options in coming weeks.