Discussion: The Memphis Grizzlies Moving Forward

Feb 11, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Did the Memphis Grizzlies do the right thing by standing pat at the NBA Trade Deadline? Are their NBA title hopes still realistic? Some of Beale Street Bears’ writers weigh in on the issues in a roundtable discussion.

Nir Regev: There’s always room for improvement, the old adage goes. Rallying the troops to the orange-leather faced battle of Gettysburg, we call the NBA playoffs. Did a Union or Confederate general ever decree: “Hear ye hear ye, thus forth no need for volunteers or reinforcements. I repeat we are full. Thank you.” Of course not. Evermore, we must improve, upgrade and advance. Procrastination is the snug, warm couch best left back at home. Change is inevitable, it doesn’t sink in front of the easy glow of the flat screen. It might arrive this offseason, the fog of next trade deadline or 5 years from now. What page of change we flip towards lies in the hands of fan and GM. An owner’s swift gavel, the wild card.

Certainly, even at this high point in the Memphis Grizzlies’ campaign, at 2nd seed in the West, a player like Arron Afflalo would benefit the squad. Not many will argue with a 39-14 record at midseason. A richly animated book cover fitting for a Barnes and Noble best seller list. Success is glorious and burdening at the same time. A consequential lack of tinkering, ‘don’t mess with what’s not broken.’ When the smoke rises, and one legion remains out of sixteen. Thought will labor to this moment, if the winner’s treaty is not clutched in a Grizzlies’ triumphant paw.

Feb 22, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Arron Afflalo (4) shoots a jump shot before the Portland plays Memphis Grizzlies at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Parker: I think the Grizzlies are fine standing pat. Getting Jeff Green was the big move and I don’t really think any additional roster tweaking would be beneficial. With Conley, Gasol, Randolph, and Green, the Grizzlies have a championship caliber core. The supporting cast around them is good enough, too. The Grizzlies could have benefitted from an extra big, but perhaps JaMychal Green can fill that need.

Christian Dudley: Rather than breaking up any team chemistry in the starting unit or within Memphis’ reserves, the Grizzlies stood pat at the NBA Trade Deadline. I believe that was the correct thing to do. They are one of the NBA’s deepest teams, and assuming they retain D-League call-up JaMychal Green for the remainder of the season, they are prepared for the long haul as they attempt to fulfill their title hopes. Yes, an extra solid center or a decent outside shooter would have been nice to have in a cheap trade, but Memphis’ roster is already improved from last year. I firmly believe the Grizzlies, with their current group of guys, are the favorites to win this season’s championship. January’s Jeff Green-to-Memphis trade made Memphis take the next step to the elite level. With that, the Grizzlies are incredibly versatile and are prepared for any opponent they may face in the postseason.

What do you think? Are the Grizzlies legitimate favorites to win their first championship? Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.

Go Grizz!

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