Grizzlies mid-season report
The Memphis Grizzlies reached the halfway point of their NBA season in seventh place in the Western Conference with a record of 24-17. First year Head Coach David Fizdale has seamlessly maintained the Memphis identity as a rugged defensive minded team. The Grizzlies are third in the league in team defensive rating (104.8).
Is it possible for the Grizzlies to be be even better now? Are they in touch with reality? Who are the five most efficient at each position? And, which players have defensive ratings better than the team defrtg? These are the questions we will answer in our Hoop Obsession mid-season report.
Conley is a top flight leader.
The Grizzlies 24-17 record is impressive when you consider that Zach Randolph missed seven games, and Mike Conley missed a dozen. Chandler Parsons, who many expected to be a integral part of the squad, has appeared in just 15 games.
Andrew Harrison logged 1001 minutes in the first 41 games despite not being efficient at all. His putrid 30.6% field goal shooting is a cause for concern.
The Grizzlies really trail-off from an efficiency standpoint once you get into their deep bench. Wade Baldwin, their first round draft choice, looks more like a shooting guard than a point guard through his first 300 minutes in the NBA.
Are the Grizzlies in touch with their reality?
While we do not see Memphis a true NBA title contender, they are a very good team that is clearly playing to win NOW. Both their first and second round picks in the 2017 NBA Draft are headed to Denver (unless somehow Memphis misses the Playoffs and their pick is in the top five). The Grizzlies lone pick in the 2017 Draft will likely be from Miami (if the season ended today that would be pick 32).
Five most efficient by position
PG - Mike Conley .600, SG - Tony Allen .425, SF - James Ennis .409, *PF - Zach Randolph .649, C Marc Gasol .610
* Randolph is actually more of an under-sized center. He is shooting just 22% from three point range.
Which players have defensive ratings better than the team defrtg?
The Grizzlies TEAM defensive rating is 104.8 (3rd of 30). The players with defensive ratings better than the team average: Tony Allen 102, Marc Gasol 103, Zach Randolph 103, Jarrell Martin 103, and Troy Williams 103.
Conclusions
- The Grizzlies are strong at the pivot position, and at the starting point guard.
- The Grizzlies could be better at small forward. Chandler Parsons may fill that void once he gets a rhythm going.
- The Grizzlies need a better option at backup point guard.
NBA related. Trade targets.
- The Miami second round pick that the Grizzlies own has value in a deep 2017 NBA Draft. ...While we do not foresee Memphis trading him, it is interesting to note that Zach Randolph (age 35) is in the final year of his contract. He makes a hefty ten million dollars but he could help a team offensively and defensively.
