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Depth Chart: Grizzlies’ Current Options at Point Guard

By Christian Dudley

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Jan 5, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) talks to guard Beno Udrih (19) during the game against the New York Knicks at FedExForum. Memphis defeated New York 105-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies look to be one of the Western Conference’s deepest teams in 2015-16, but how will the point guard position dictate the pace of their offense?

The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to have a team with more depth than ever before after making solid NBA Draft selections along with key trades and Free-Agency acquisitions.

Beale Street Bears recently wrote about the Grizzlies’ current depth chart at all five positions. At the moment, Memphis has 16 players on their roster with 15 of them being signed to a contract. Then you must account for the newest addition to their training camp roster.

[See: “Memphis Grizzlies’ Current Depth Chart at All Positions“]

When analyzing the point guard position, the Grizzlies have a few players who are perfectly capable of making major contributions. While the starter is guaranteed, there is some uncertainty on which player will receive immediate backup minutes at the helm of the ship.

Allow us to examine.

May 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) looks on late in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Certainty: Primary Point Guard

Mike Conley has been one of the NBA’s most underrated players in each of the past several seasons. Following the most recent postseason, he may have very well skyrocketed up the league’s point guard rankings in the eyes of all NBA teams.

He is unbelievably tough. He is insanely clutch. His shot has greatly improved. No other point guard can control the tempo on both ends of the floor quite like Conley.

What more could you ask?

Well, for one…Mike would like to make an NBA All-Star Game, but that is beside the main point.

Feb 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) steals the ball from Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) in the last seconds of the game at Staples Center. Girzzlies won 90-87. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Mac-11 goes toe-to-toe with the most elite point guards in the league and he has made a name for himself. He is the heartbeat of the Memphis Grizzlies’ offense while he brings the defense on a nightly basis (career average of 1.5 steals per game). He never slouches.

Memphis drafted Mike in 2007. At the time, it could have been considered a bit of a reach. They got lucky and MC has given the franchise great value. Few players continue to improve as Mike Conley has done throughout his eight NBA seasons (all spent with the Grizzlies).

Will he continue this trend?

MC is in the prime years of his playing career. He may not improve leaps and bounds, but if the 2015 NBA Playoffs were any indication, he is worthy of becoming an All-Star. That dream may finally come true in 2015-16 as he showed in crunch time that he is as important as any other member of the Grizz squad.

If the team were to ask anything more of the starting point guard, it may be to find additional offensive aggressiveness. Instead of honoring his teammates with perfect passes and great finds in the lane and around the hoop, Mike Conley may need to get a little selfish and give himself more shots. It could not hurt the team at all.

As far as status goes, Mike Conley is hands-down the Grizzlies’ locked-in guy for the starting point guard position heading into the upcoming season.

Uncertainty: Secondary Point Guard

When it comes to reserve point guard options for the Memphis Grizzlies, a debate breaks loose.

Who should be the No. 1 player the Grizz look toward down the bench when Conley subs out of the game? Right now, it has to be Beno Udrih or Russ Smith.

Udrih and Smith have vastly different styles of play. This means that it could be a game-by-game decision on who will see backup minutes.

Apr 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Beno Udrih (19) shoots the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Beno is obviously more experienced as he is a seasoned NBA veteran at the point guard position. Additionally, he will rarely miss an open midrange jumpshot; however, that is nearly the extent of his offense when it comes to himself putting points on the board. His major downfall is the inability to shut down elite scorers from lighting up the scoreboard.

For Russ, he is known for his instant offense–in the collegiate ranks. While he has not played rotation minutes in the NBA, he looks to emerge as a lights-out scorer off the bench with the Grizz.

The major question is if the Grizzlies’ Head Coach, Dave Joerger, will give Russ his first real chance in the pros. After all, “Russdiculous” showed that he has all of the tools to be a key contributor when he led his summer league squad to championship victory in this summer’s Orlando Summer League.

Where Udrih falls short, Russ Smith takes advantage. Smith can do it all at the point guard position–defend, nail threes, grab rebounds despite being a guard, and to top it all off, he is at this best when the game is on the line. Yes, Russ has the clutch gene and he is a true scrapper. The Grizzlies may have the bench scorer they have been needing in the form of 6’0″ Russ Smith.

May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Russ Smith (2) passes the ball away from Golden State Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa (19) during the fourth quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis may need to go with Smith to start the season for a trial run due to the fact that Beno may still be recovering from ankle surgery (which he underwent earlier this summer) at this future point in time. Either way, the Grizz have quality options–both now and in the future–at the point guard spot.

In 2015-16, the Grizzlies’ bench will be relied upon more than ever. The reserves will dictate a large part of whether Memphis can finally reach the NBA Finals–or further.

Is Russdiculous ready to shine? Will Beno be fully healthy to play meaningful minutes?

Worth mentioning: the Grizzlies’ 2015 second round Draft selection, Andrew Harrison, still has not signed an official contract for the upcoming season and is not a guarantee to make the final roster with Memphis. A final decision may not come until the last few days of October leading up to the regular season. Harrison did not exceptionally impress when given an opportunity in the 2015 Orlando Summer League.

With almost one month to go until training camp and approximately two months until the beginning of the 2015-16 regular season, these questions will soon be answered.

Grizz Nation, are you ready for game time?

For additional discussion on the Memphis Grizzlies’ debacle on backup point guard, look here and here.

Go Grizz!

Continue to check Beale Street Bears for the latest news, rumors, and other info of the offseason regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Next: Who will receive the bulk of the minutes at shooting guard for Memphis?

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