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If Mike Conley’s elite 3-point shooting returns, what kind of team are the Grizzlies?

By Jesse Robertson

November 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a three-point shot against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 119-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 2, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a three-point shot against Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 119-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Conley has been an elite 3-point shooter in the past, so what kind of team would the Memphis Grizzlies be if he returns to that level alongside marksmen Chandler Parsons and Wade Baldwin IV?

It’s no secret the Memphis Grizzlies are one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the NBA, they were the second worst team in the NBA last season in that regard, but what if the new band in town can get hot?

Once upon a time, the Memphis Grizzlies were in the 2013 Western Conference Finals and on the verge of going to their first NBA Finals trip in history while having just one player shoot over 40 percent from 3. That player was Quincy Pondexter, followed by Jerryd Bayless. After him? Mike Conley. Out of those three players, only Conley remains. And of right now, he’s the best 3-point shooter on the team besides the new kid in town, Chandler Parsons. 

Now that the Grizzlies finally have someone that can consistently shoot over 40 percent from deep, what happens if they have TWO players that get hot from deep if Conley joins the party? Before we get in too deep on what that would do for the Grizzlies, let’s take a quick look just how necessary it is in today’s NBA to have at least two players that can hit over 40 percent of their 3s. 

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According to basketball-reference.com, since 2010, there have been 14 teams in the NBA Finals and only five of those teams didn’t have at least two players that shot over 40 percent from 3. All of those teams but one lost, the 2010 Los Angeles Lakers with a beast mode Kobe Bryant. That just goes to show how important it is to have players that can hit the 3-point shot in the playoffs, let alone the regular season. If this Memphis Grizzlies team is to make serious strides in a brutal Western Conference, they have to hit from 3 at a higher clip than they have in past years. Think of it this way: since the Grizzlies were formed back in 1995 they have NEVER shot over 40 percent from deep as a unit. Ever. The Spurs have done it three times as a unit, and Golden State has done it three times in the last three years.

It’s know that Parsons is a very good 3-point shooter and has shot over 45% from three every year he’s been in the league. That’s exactly what this team desperately lacks. But what if Mike Conley can take a step forward with his 3-point shooting?

Conley’s best 3-point shooting season of his career was in 2008-2009, when he hit 40.6 percent of his attempts. He hasn’t been able to reach 40 percent since that year, while Parsons has knocked it out off the park in that regard. 

Elite shooting means elite floor spacing

Mar 14, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) shoots during a practice day before the First Four of the NCAA men
Mar 14, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) shoots during a practice day before the First Four of the NCAA men /

So, if Parson’s can stay healthy there is no reason to believe he won’t produce similar or even better numbers from 3, and if Conley can improve to 40 percent, just a .037 increase over the .363 he shot last year, or just over that clip, this team has a completely different look. This would force defenders to respect the Grizzlies from 3-point land for the first time in team history. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph would receive less attention down in the post and suddenly the Grizzlies have a capable and free-flowing offense. With Gasol’s passing ability he would be able to find the shooters on the floor at all times. Having a big man that can pass as well as score and defend is almost a necessity in today’s NBA, look at what Draymond Green playing the five has done for Golden State without an actual center on the team to challenge that. And that’s not even talking about rookie Wade Baldwin IV who was a very capable 3-point shooter in college, shooting 42.3 percent in his two years at Vanderbilt. That’s THREE shooters on the Grizzlies that could be shooting over 40 percent at one time, creating some pretty scare floor spacing scenarios. The paint would open up considerably and when Gasol or Randolph get doubled low they have a quick kick-out to one of the three shooters.

Would a suddenly capable 3-point shooting roster elevate the Grizzlies into immediate title contention status? That’s still too early to tell, but just the thought should leave Grizzlies fans very excited for what this team can bring night in and night out.

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