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Where is Memphis Grizzlies’ Courtney Lee?

By Christian Dudley

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Feb 8, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) celebrates from the bench late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Atlanta 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Courtney Lee began the 2014-15 season as one of the most efficient guards in the NBA, but recently his high level of production has dipped.

Indiana native Courtney Lee is playing his second season as a member of the Grizzlies. He is currently averaging 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game–numbers that interestingly parallel to all of his previous seasons’ stats. However, Lee is also averaging a career-best 2.1 assists per game.

Ever since arriving in Memphis, Lee’s main responsibility is to facilitate the offense alongside Mike Conley. Put points on the board. Light it up. Provide scoring from deep. Push the tempo.

Courtney Lee is different from the team’s tenacious defender, Tony Allen, because Lee is to be a score-first player while Allen has always been (in the NBA at least) a defend-first weapon.

Do not label C-Lee incorrectly. He is not a shot “chucker.” He is a willing passer and he takes smart shots. That is why he earned the title of being one of the most efficient shooting guards in the NBA from the very beginning of this current season.

February 2, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) shoots the basketball against Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) during the first quarter at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

By adding Jeff Green to the team, Memphis has some of the best depth in the league. They now have it all–rebounding, shooting, scoring, defense, guard play, favorable mismatches, youngsters, and veteran leadership.

Then what’s the problem?

Courtney Lee’s high efficiency and offensive production has been playing a disappearing act.

The Grizzlies have to figure things out. They must get all of their players on the same page and attempt to form a solid game plan.

Following the Jeff Green trade, Courtney Lee has survived rotations changes and he has remained the Grizzlies’ starting shooting guard. While Allen comes off the bench with his stellar defense, Courtney Lee is behind Jeff Green as the fifth option in the starting unit for offense.

Courtney Lee’s Player Impact Estimate rating began very high in October at 13.8. Since then, it has declined almost each month up to All-Star break. Following October, his rating has posted monthly numbers of 10.5, 6.5, 8.0, and 5.4–respectively. It should be noted that Green was acquired in January, when Lee’s PIE rating spiked a little. That was when Green came off the bench, with Allen being the starting small forward.

Courtney plays better in a defensive lineup. With Green being a predominantly offensive player, it makes Lee less effective. Allen, whom does not take many shots, meshes well with Lee for just that reason.

Less shots means less opportunities for C-Lee to get going early in the game. This should get lined out, however, when Green gets more acclimated with the team and the Grizzlies’ offense. Once this happens, Lee’s quantity of shot attempts per game should return to being on the rise.

In wins, Lee’s PIE rating has registered as a 9.6; however, in losses, that rating has sunk to 3.8.

It can be seen that Courtney is an important piece to the Grizzlies’ puzzle. He helps them win, and as long as they are winning games, he efficiency grows.

Jan 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tony Allen (9) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) react to a call during the game against the Phoenix Suns at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Phoenix Suns 122 – 110. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Which lineups give the Memphis Grizzlies the best chance to win games?

It simply depends on an opponent-by-opponent basis. There is no clear-cut answer. Jeff Green has made the Grizzlies even more of a contender because he adds so much versatility to the team.

Green and Allen can cover pretty much any high-scoring small forwards the Grizzlies may face. Green can also play power forward whereas Allen can slide to his traditional shooting guard slot. Courtney Lee can not only play the two, but he can play some point guard minutes in an instance of desperation–if necessary.

There are a plethora of options for the Grizzlies now. Even if Courtney Lee’s production has slumped, he has still been effective. The Grizz are plowing through top teams at will. They are the best defensive team in the NBA.

Courtney Lee’s real value may not be seen in the month of February. It may not even be seen in the month of March. One thing is for sure, though–Lee will be a huge determining factor in the Grizzlies’ title hopes as soon as the NBA Playoffs tip off.

While the Grizzlies are the title favorites, they can secure their chances by evening out the offense between Green and Lee, while pairing Lee with Allen more times on the court.

Courtney Lee will need to be ready to battle at his peak level. So will the rest of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Go Grizz!

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