Assessing the Memphis Grizzlies at Midseason
Jan 24, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) reacts during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
The writers at Beale Street Bears have put their thoughts together to assess the Memphis Grizzlies on their success halfway through the 2014-15 NBA season.
Below you can find each writer’s grades and thoughts on the Grizzlies and their season thus far. Feel free to comment below to share the grade you would hand the Grizzlies as the NBA All-Star break approaches.
Christian Dudley, Editor
Grade: A
“The Grizzlies started this season with the best start in franchise history. The Western Conference as a whole has been extremely competitive this season, as usual, and he Grizzlies have remained in the top-four in the West all season long–currently sitting in second place behind Golden State, whom the Grizzlies defeated in December on national television. The continuity of the Grizzlies is what makes them a contending team first of all. Before the Jeff Green trade, the Grizz bench was struggling with production, but now with Green on the roster, the Grizzlies have many different options each night and they can expect more scoring from the second unit–all while keeping their tenacious defense on high. With only 12 losses as of January 28th, with the majority of them being had during absences due to illness and/or injuries to key starters, the Memphis Grizzlies are looking to be very difficult to beat–at home and on the road. They are set up to have an excellent race to the NBA Playoffs.”
Live Feed
Sir Charles In Charge
Xan Nikchevich, Editor
Grade: A
“The first half of the season has been fantastic so far for the Grizzlies. Sure there have been ups and downs, but overall the team has been very successful. This is the most offensively potent group that Memphis has had in a long time, especially now that they were able to steal Jeff Green away from Boston. Marc Gasol has been playing at an MVP level, and Zach Randolph has shown no signs of age–minus a minor knee injury that is. The Grizzlies have looked fantastic thus far, so they are more than deserving of an A grade. Staying near the top of the West is no easy feat, but Memphis is proving that they belong.”
Nir Regev, Staff Writer
Grade: A+
“We are looking at a defensive juggernaut led by top class coaching. Expectations? Steamrolled. Outplayed. Redefined. This team is launching out of the stratosphere into the fabled land of giants. This upcoming playoffs, the Grizzlies will be the giants and other teams simply Gulliver.”
Ben Parker, Staff Writer
Grade: A/A-
“For the season, I would have to give the Grizzlies an A-/A. I cannot give them an A+ since the Hawks and Warriors are playing the best basketball in the NBA, but given where they were last year and how they are positioning themselves for a high seed in the West, I have to keep the Grizzlies in the A range with an A-. Where they can get an A is for landing Jeff Green. In my opinion, the addition of Jeff Green will push the Grizzlies over the top and into the NBA Finals. So, the reason has been an A for getting Green, but their play is an A- since there are teams outperforming them at the moment.”
Ken Newhouse, Editor
Grade: A-
“The Grizzlies have played outstanding basketball this season. More outstanding than I thought was imaginable. I’d give the Grizzlies an A- for the season. Missing Z-Bo for an extended amount of time showed how valuable he was to the team. If he or Gasol go down any time this season, the Grizz won’t have much success.”
Catch the Memphis Grizzlies on national television (TNT) on Thursday, January 29th to see them play a Western Conference foe, the Denver Nuggets.
Go Grizz!