May 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) during the first quarter in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
What most people love about the Memphis Grizzlies is their “grit and grind” style that relies heavily on wearing teams down with great defense and interior play. But while that style has proven successful at winning over fans in Memphis, it hasn’t yet proven successful at bringing a championship to Beale Street.
I love the Memphis Grizzlies’ style as much as anybody from an aesthetic perspective. There is something beautiful about a team trying to win ugly without any flash. It’s humble, authentic, and real. We as everyday people can relate to that since we go about our own lives in a similar fashion. We have our ups and our downs, but we keep on grinding and fighting for everything that we achieve. The Grizzlies encapsulate all of that with their style and it is very refreshing.
But it appears as though the Memphis Grizzlies approach the game of basketball as if defense and rebounding are the ONLY ingredients to a championship recipe and therein lies the problem. The Grizzlies have struggled over the years to break 100 points on any given night in a league that increasingly rewards teams that break 100 points on a regular basis.
I don’t deny that defense and rebounding are key to winning championships and that teams like the Detroit Pistons have won titles with defense and rebounding as their primary strengths. But what gets lost in all of that is that those Pistons teams had a very specific set of players that were capable of winning a title. Not every team that plays that style will be able to win a championship. You have to have the right group of players. As much as it pains me to say it, I fear that the Grizzlies’ style of play cannot result in an NBA championship with the player personnel that they presently have.
I apologize for dropping somewhat of a somber bomb on this site, but this is how I feel about the Grizzlies. However, this doesn’t mean that I believe all hope is lost for the Grizzlies. The key word in all of this is “style”. The Grizzlies’ style appears to be a bigger problem than the players themselves.
Marc Gasol is one of the league’s best big men and certainly good enough to anchor a championship caliber team. I also believe that Zach Randolph is a fantastic accomplice in the paint and that Mike Conley is a really good point guard to give them the shots that they need. But the issue I have with this team is that their mentality is to hold teams under 80 points as opposed to trying to score over 100 points.
If the Grizzlies found ways to push the tempo and score over 100 points on a more regular basis, they would be a much more dangerous team. As much as it pains me to say it, this might mean reducing the minutes of Tony Allen since he really is an offensively challenged player. He is the face of the “Grindhouse” and I love how hard he works on the floor to get defensive stops. But the fact of the matter is that when he’s on the floor, the Grizzlies have a lot harder time putting the pumpkin into the basket and that I think is the biggest issue they need to address right now.
The Grizzlies have tried to have it both ways by getting guys like Vince Carter, Mike Miller, and Jeff Green to help score the ball while also maintaining their identity as a defense-first team. So far, it hasn’t worked out for the Grizzlies as a defense-first team and I think it’s time they start to shift in the direction of being more offensive oriented. If championships is what the Grizzlies really want, I think this type of shift is necessary in order for them to accomplish their goals. If playing a brand of basketball that resonates with the fans is what the Grizzlies really want, then they should continue on their current trajectory.
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