Two Grizzlies make top 30 in SI’s ‘Top 100 NBA Players’ list

Unless Tony Allen miraculously makes the top ten, four of the Memphis Grizzlies’ starters are featured in Sports Illustrated’s ‘Top 100 NBA players of 2017′ rankings.

In the latest of release of the Sports Illustrated’s ‘Top 100 NBA players of 2017’ list, two players that have played their entire careers with the Memphis Grizzlies joined Zach Randolph and Chandler Parsons in the rankings after spots 30-11 were released.

The first was Mike Conley, who jumped up one spot from his spot from a year ago to No. 26.

No. 26: Mike Conley

Three players preceding Conley: Gordon Hayward (UTA), Derrick Favors (UTA), Andre Drummond (DET)

Three players ensuing Conley: Kyrie Irving (CLE), Carmelo Anthony (NYK), Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)

"Conley is the patron saint of poise. Nothing a defense does can rattle him, in part because Conley has a great feel for which teammates offer him the simplest paths out of trouble and a robust assortment of dribble moves keep him agile. The ability to navigate the interior of a defense is contingent on ball control; to snake between defenders is to put a live dribble at risk, and Conley may have a better understanding than any guard in the league of how to control his dribble relative to encroaching defenders at every angle. Both hands, and thus both directions, are fair game at all times. Conley’s peers speak enviously of his ability to shoot a floater with either hand, knowing full well how that small distinction can throw the coverage off-balance. So much of what a defense does is rooted in expectation of where a player wants to go and what a team wants to do. Conley challenges that focus by changing directions, giving up the ball early, working from dribble hand-offs, and driving in a way that keeps his options open. It follows, then, that Conley is so effective in crunch-time situations—a point in the game at which aOct 22, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) defends against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sportsflexible style helps to withstand heightened defensive pressure. Take one thing away from Conley and he’ll transition smoothly to another. Little can be done to take away that freedom, thus leaving a skilled, smart point guard to his own devices. (Last year: No. 27)+ Ranked lowest among point guards in true turnover percentage+ A stifling perimeter defender when healthy– Fought through injuries over the last few seasons– Being a smaller guard takes its toll on screens, collisions, etc.(via Rob Mahoney)"

When people compare point guards, it’s not often that Kyrie Irving and Mike Conley are considered to be in the same tier. After all, Irving is coming off a summer where he made one of the most clutch shots in NBA history. However, it’s crazy how similar players Irving and Conley are when you compare their statistics.

We’ll have to dive into those numbers soon.

The last Memphis Grizzlies’ player on the list is Marc Gasol, who makes his mark at No. 22, a steep decline for someone who was No. 9 a year ago.

No. 22: Marc Gasol

Three players preceding Gasol: Kyrie Irving (CLE), Carmelo Anthony (NYK), Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)

Three players ensuing Gasol: Damian Lillard (POR), DeAndre Jordan (LAC), Klay Thompson (GSW)

"A navicular fracture is the kind of injury that can slowly derail an NBA career. Yao Ming and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, among others, were haunted by it. Joel Embiid has yet to leave the launchpad because of it. Now Gasol, at age 31, will have to push through his recovery from the break to pick up where he left off. Lingering pain is a real risk with this sort of injury and could potentially hinder Gasol throughout the season. That has to be taken into account when attempting to predict just how effective Gasol will be this year—as does his broader record of nagging injury. Those factors were enough to bump Gasol down from his usual residence in these rankings, if only this far. There are limits to how much we’re willing to push a player who could fairly claim to be the best at his position when healthy. Gasol operates on that level: his passing and shooting can lift an offense to fluidity while his defense, at its best, can anchor an entire system. Teams interested in working out of the low post can feed Gasol on the block and watch opponents scramble to contain him. Gasol is so big and strong that opponents can be easily baited into double teams, which in effect only serve as an accessory to one of Gasol’s no-look passes to the open man. Gasol could also be stationed at the elbow just as easily, where he can execute dribble hand-offs that work as a faux pick-and-roll, survey a play’s development from a clear angle, and tug at the defense with the threat of his jumper. There are times when Gasol has to be goaded into pressing as a scorer—restraint is his default setting—but better that then a less capable player who insists on doing too much. (Last year: No. 9)+ Maybe the best big-to-big passer in the league; understands the spacing of the interior+ Sets a strong, wide base for effective screens– Gasol’s particular foot fracture carries a worrisome precedent– Didn’t defend quite up to his usual standards last season(via Rob Mahoney)"

It’s very true that Gasol can at least be in the discussion as the best center in the league when healthy, and if he comes back full strength, there’s no reason this ranking can’t rise.