Should Memphis Grizzlies’ Adams Have Received Rotation Time?

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Jordan Adams (3) dribbles the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Justin Holiday (7) during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies’ 2014 first round NBA Draft selection, Jordan Adams, only saw a few minutes in a couple of his team’s playoff games, but should he have seen the floor much more often?

The Memphis Grizzlies ran out of gas after they captured a victory in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals to go up two games to one versus the Golden State Warriors. The Grizz would later lose the next three games and therefore have their season ended by the Warriors.

Obviously, there were several major factors for the Grizzlies’ lineups and availabilities, such as Mike Conley battling a major injury and playing in a facemask for the first time in his life as well as Tony Allen being hobbled following an aggravation of a hamstring injury. Conley and Allen are major players for Memphis on both ends of the floor and they were going to essentially be the determining factors against a prolific scoring team with perhaps the NBA’s best backcourt in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

May 9, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tony Allen (9) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the game against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Conley was able to play in all of the semifinal games–at a high level, too, I should add. However, Tony Allen was ultimately the player that notched the two victories of the series for the Memphis Grizzlies. His defense was unmatched. He kept proclaiming his defense as “First Team” and there is no denying that statement. He was incredible. Once he went down with another hamstring issue, the Grizz began to unravel. Their Grindfather–whom was depended upon for the grit to his squad’s grind–was never himself following Game 3.

Allen’s replacement was primarily Nick Calathes. Statistically, Calathes was stellar in the regular season on the defensive end. Although he did not average a starter’s minutes, he did post a monstrous steals-per-36 average at 2.7 swipes. Regardless of his stats, Nick was and is no TA. There is only one Grindfather.

However, along with defense, what was the most important key that the Memphis Grizzlies needed this postseason?

SHOOTING.

The Grizzlies could not keep pace with the Warriors’ long-range shooting. Memphis, of course, owns the league in paint scoring. They have an impressive frontcourt on both ends of the floor. When it came down to it, the Warriors were able to stop the Grizz enough in the paint to where Memphis’ lack of outside shooting and scoring became a major downfall. It was such a large problem that Golden State was able to overcome a 2-1 deficit in the series to make a comeback and win 2-4 to move on to the Western Conference Finals.

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Jordan Adams (3) dribbles the basketball during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

In my opinion, I believe Memphis’ Head Coach Dave Joerger should have allowed rookie Jordan Adams to see some quality minutes–perhaps as a regular rotational player. Even though he spent the majority of the season in the D-League with the Iowa Energy, from what I have seen, Adams is ready for the opportunity. He checked into four postseason games, yet seeing very minimal minutes–a total of 10. In these minutes, however, he recorded seven points–making 67% of his shot attempts including 1/1 from beyond the three-point arc.

Jordan Adams, standing at 6’5,” even has the height to defend Golden State’s shooters. Not only do I think that he could have done a better job at covering the Warriors’ “Splash Brothers,” I honestly think that he deserved some rotation minutes in the first round versus the Portland Trail Blazers. Memphis never received a major challenge from the Blazers and they defeated PDX four games to one. There were plenty of golden opportunities for the rookie Adams to gain a great feel of the postseason against some solid competition in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. It could have been a great test for JA as he got his feet wet in his first NBA Playoffs.

The Memphis Grizzlies’ 2014-15 NBA season is all said and done. We will never know the potential outcomes and results of adjustments involving more minutes being handed to Jordan Adams would have been for our beloved Grizzly squad. However, next season will provide a major insight. It should be a huge season for Jordan Adams–one that could very likely see him receiving 15+ minutes per game and zero trips to the NBDL.

This may be a very interesting offseason for our Memphis Grizzlies, but one thing is for sure: Jordan Adams is ready and hungry for a major role on this team. He is wanting to be the “Grindson.”

Go Grizz!

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