ESPN’s Chad Ford roasts Memphis Grizzlies’ offseason
Despite bringing back veteran point guard Mike Conley and signing Chandler Parsons, there was no love for the Memphis Grizzlies’ offseason from ESPN’s Chad Ford.
ESPN’s Chad Ford recently graded the offseason of every Western Conference team. Ford had a pretty harsh opinion of the Memphis Grizzlies’ offseason:
"Memphis Grizzlies: C+Key additions: Mike Conley (re-sign); Chandler Parsons (FA); David Fizdale (coach); Troy Daniels (FA); James Ennis (FA); Wade Baldwin (draft); Deyonta Davis (draft)Key subtractions: Dave Joerger (coach), Matt Barnes; Chris AndersenMike Conley signed the richest deal in the history of the NBA this summer. Mike Conley. I’m not sure there’s any bit of data that’s more telling about the free agent craziness.What’s especially problematic about Conley’s contract is that it comes at a time when the Grizzlies look to be on the precipice of falling out of the playoffs. As this team ages it become more and more vulnerable to younger teams like the Wolves and Nuggets.The addition of Parsons is supposed to help stop the bleeding, but I’m not sure he can do it on his own. Their bench is weak and they have health and age issues. While the Grizzlies scored a pair of young players with promise in the draft, neither should have a major impact this season. Everything is going to have to go the Grizzlies’ way to be back in the playoffs."
Yes, there are health concerns. Yes, it is difficult to justify giving a 27-year-old and a 29-year-old max contracts after seeing their seasons end due to injury.
But a C+? Needing everything to go right to make the playoffs?
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The Memphis Grizzlies did lose head coach Dave Joerger, but hired Dave Fizdale, who is prolific in player personnel. The Memphis Grizzlies replaced Matt Barnes with younger pieces: Chandler Parsons and James Ennis. They addressed their perimeter shooting woes by adding four quality 3-point shooters over the offseason: Chandler Parsons (41.4 percent from 3 last season; 38 percent for his career), James Ennis (44.8 percent from 3 last season; 37.3 percent for his career), Troy Daniels (48.4 percent from 3 last season; 43.0 percent for his career) and Wade Baldwin (40.9 percent from 3 in college last season).
These past years, the media have been saying that the Memphis Grizzlies need to address their 3-point shooting woes. They finally achieved that, but what kind of offseason is it when they add four 3-point shooters, one that is a top-15 small forward? A C+ offseason.
It is hard to get love from ESPN, when you don’t have Stephen Curry, LeBron James or a enticing plethora of young talent. The Memphis Grizzlies will be out to prove people wrong…again.