The Memphis Grizzlies’ Invisible Man: Kosta Koufos

Dec 7, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) tries to dunk over Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ backup center, Kosta Koufos, has been a quiet defensive presence this season and now is his time to make his presence known.

You do not hear much at all about the Memphis Grizzlies’ backup center. Even when he is on the floor–clad with Grizzly attire–not much is said about Kosta Koufos.

In a season that has seen many injuries to key players along with coinciding lineup and rotation changes, as well as a major midseason trade, there has been one constant. That constant has been the reliability of Kosta Koufos. He has remained as the primary backup for Marc Gasol and Double-K played in 81 of the Grizzlies’ 82 regular season games.

Mar 14, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) attempts a shot defended by Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Milwaukee 96-83. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

While there is an abundance of talk regarding how tough and dominant the Memphis Grizzlies’ frontcourt is and has been, the players at the center of those discussions start and end with Gasol and Zach Randolph. Koufos does not hear a peep of his name in those conversations.

Little do most know, Kosta Koufos is one of the top defensive players in the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies had three of their players in the top-five rankings for defensive ratings over the duration of the 2014-15 regular season. The names? Nick Calathes (1st), Kosta Koufos (3rd), and Tony Allen (4th).

Allen, the Grindfather, is known for his “First-Team All-Defense.” This makes the defensive stats for Koufos and Calathes more impressive. Kosta posted an astounding 94.8 rating. In case you were wondering, Golden State’s Andrew Bogut (5th) recorded a 95.2 rating. For additional comparisons, defensive-minded centers such as Roy Hibbert, Al Horford, and Dwight Howard earned defensive ratings of 101.1, 101.0, and 97.0, respectively. Marc Gasol comes in at 101.9. The job Koufos has been doing this season at stopping opponents from scoring is indeed incredible.

May 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) is called for a foul against Memphis Grizzlies center Kosta Koufos (41) during the second quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

In semifinal Game 2 of the Memphis Grizzlies’ ongoing battle with the Golden State Warriors, Kosta Koufos displayed his fundamentally sound defense when he saw one of the league’s top defensemen–Draymond Green–attack the painted area . Double-K went straight up with his lengthy arms as a top defensive player should and not only did he stop Green, but he drew the charge. It added to the frustrations that the Memphis Grizzlies dole out on a regular basis with their gritty play.

Koufos does just that–provide grit. For the Grizz, Koufos adds grit off the bench to go with the grind of Allen and other teammates. Although Koufos does not look to score the basketball very often, he does what is needed of him. Offense is most definitely not a top priority for the backup center and that is perfectly fine. Double-K is solid in overall efficiency with a 14.21 rating. As long as this continues throughout the postseason, the Grizzlies’ second-line defense and chemistry is in excellent hands.

Every great team needs role players that do at least one thing exceptionally well. Thankfully for the Memphis Grizzlies, they have a plethora of players that coincide with the old adage of “defense wins games.”

With Kosta Koufos clogging the lane and protecting the rim, Grizz Nation can expect their squad to win many more games in the 2015 NBA Playoffs–perhaps even throughout the month of June.

Go Grizz!

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