Memphis Grizzlies: 2018-19 NBA season preview
By Luke Swiatek
Best-case scenario
The Memphis Grizzlies stay healthy and get off to a hot start. JJJ looks like a taller Draymond Green with a better jump shot, and is quickly promoted to the starting lineup. The combination of Dillon Brooks and Kyle Anderson on the wings makes it so that everyone in the starting lineup can handle and pass well, becoming a nightmare for opposing teams to guard.
On the bench, Chandler Parsons resembles his Houston form and performs like a bigger Tyreke Evans. Garrett Temple and Shelvin Mack fill their roles ably, and JaMychal Green improves his efficiency by feasting on bench units. MarShon Brooks, Andrew Harrison, Ivan Rabb, Omri Casspi and Wayne Selden produce when their names are called and are otherwise content to warm the bench.
Worst-case scenario
Conley, Gasol and Parsons struggle through various maladies, and the team gets off to a slow start. Jackson looks like Richaun Holmes, and his role is minimized by a team pushing for the playoffs. Brooks, Anderson and Green don’t provide good enough shooting to space the floor for Gasol, who seems upset with the coach but is afraid to say it out loud.
On the bench, Jackson blocks a couple shots, but mostly looks lost and out of position like the young kid he is. He shoots decent, but not well enough to be a real threat. Parsons continues to be an albatross contract, and eventually is just bought out. Mack and Temple prove why they’re career backups, and the other players aren’t even worth mentioning.
The injuries and underachieving drop the Grizzlies far from the playoffs, but the number of high-floor veterans keeps the team from bottoming out. The Grizzlies end up 11th in the West, and get the 9th pick in the draft. Their team is not good enough to make any noise in April, nor bad enough to make any in June.