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Nick Calathes Has Become Memphis Grizzlies’ Top Defender?

By Christian Dudley

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Feb 11, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dives for the ball while being guarded by Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes (12) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Nick Calathes has stepped up his defense this season and now he may be the team’s top perimeter defender.

The Grizzlies are atop the entire NBA in the 2014-15 season when it comes to defense–holding their opponents to 95.5 poinst per game as of March 15th.

What are the driving forces of Memphis’ defensive intensity? Marc Gasol holds down the fort in the painted area while Tony Allen is the heart and soul to the Grizzlies’ grit-‘n’-grind style of play.

That is how the Grizz and their title-contending team has been formed. Times change. Through all of the mentorship by Allen, the proclaimed “Grindfather,” there is an emerging defender on board.

Feb 27, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes (12) during the game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

What is his name? That would be reserve guard Nick Calathes, in his second season with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Calathes’ minutes have decreased this season somewhat because Beno Udrih is now the Grizzlies’ top backup point guard and Courtney Lee has solidified himself as a starter at the shooting guard position.

In the month of March, Nick Calathes is playing his best basketball of the season in all aspects–defending, rebounding, assisting, and scoring–he is on a roll as the Grizzlies prepare for the stretch run of the regular season.

How stellar has Nick’s perimeter defense been, especially as of late?

Let us look at his statistical comparisons to his teammate Tony Allen, whom is widely regarded as the NBA’s top perimeter defender.

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From the above tables, you can see that even though Nick Calathes receives about half of the amount of playing time Tony Allen sees, Nick is very productive in his floor time.

Exactly how productive? Mathematically, he would surpass Allen with an increase in minutes. Per 36 minutes, Allen falls short to Calathes in the steals category. When calculating steals per 100 possessions, Allen falls short even more.

Oct 22, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) drives between forward Tristan Thompson (13) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes (12) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Cleveland 96-92. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Calathes is a steals machine. If he would see starter’s minutes, he could be a true weapon of mass destruction on the defensive end–that is, if his real-life production would match the mathematics.

When the game is on the line and the Grizzlies need a critical stop, not only can the Grizzlies look to Tony Allen for defensive pressure, but Nick Calathes is doing a stand-up job as a reserve when his named is called.

Come playoff time, look for Memphis to utilize Calathes for his playmaking abilities and his tenacious defense that he has been displaying.

Here is a great example of the stifling defense Nick Calathes has been playing this season:

This is a contract year for Calathes. Over the past several weeks, he has been on a tear and is showing no signs of letting up anytime soon. His PER has increased from last season despite a decrease in playing time.

The Grizzlies surely want to keep Nick Calathes in a Grizz uniform, but will he demand more money than Memphis’ Front Office is willing to throw at him?

For now, the NBA Playoffs will be the determining factor of all of that.

In Memphis, it is championship or bust. Now is go-time and the Grizzlies’ defense is ready.

Go Grizz!

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