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Troy Daniels should start until Tony Allen returns

By Parker Fleming

Oct 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Troy Daniels (30) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kent Bazemore (24) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Troy Daniels (30) defends during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Memphis Grizzlies have been starting rookie Andrew Harrison at the 2-guard to start the year when Troy Daniels is a sniper ready to fire.

While the Grindfather, Tony Allen, has been out with a knee injury, Andrew Harrison has started over Troy Daniels alongside Mike Conley in the backcourt. Many fans don’t agree with his role, so far.

Until Tony Allen returns, the Memphis Grizzlies should start Troy Daniels at the shooting guard position.

Struggles

As many shooters experience, Troy Daniels has struggled finding his shot as a Memphis Grizzlies.

After shooting a sizzling 48 percent from 3-point land last season, Daniels hasn’t hit one 3-pointer for the Grizzlies, preseason included. He is currently 0-for-10 from beyond the arc. This should be alarming to the Grizzlies. They just cut a defensively versatile player with two-way potential in D.J. Stephens for a guy who has guaranteed money and has only scored 10 total points.

Why Troy Daniels will be fine

All shooters go through slumps. We’ve seen it so many times in the NBA. Kyle Korver shot “only” 39.8 percent from 3-point land last year, his lowest percentage since 2008-09. Marco Belinelli, who was a 40 percent 3-point shooter in two seasons with the Spurs, shot 30.6 percent from 3 last season.

Those examples may cause you to be even more concerned, but Troy Daniels is still a young player. Both Korver and Belinelli are in their 30s. All Daniels needs is the green light for his confidence and 3-point percentage to rise.

Why Troy Daniels should start

Inserting Troy Daniels into the starting lineup, all of the sudden, makes him a last priority for the opposing defense.

Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are obviously the focal points of the offense. Through two games so far, James Ennis is averaging 15.5 points on a shooting slash of 66.7/57.1/77.8, so teams will start paying some attention to him. After a breakout year last season, teams will have an eye on JaMychal Green from mid-range and on the offensive glass. All Troy Daniels has to do is get open and fire away to halt his shooting slump.

Troy Daniels has a chance to cure the slow starts that have harmed the Grizzlies in their first two contests. Because he is more offensively-minded and more experienced than Andrew Harrison, he knows where to find his spots. If he could come out and splash two or three 3-pointers, the Grizzlies could actually possess a first-quarter lead.

Even though Tony Allen is looking to return in the middle of the week, the Grizzlies should start Troy Daniels in these next two games. His 3-point shooting could be crucial for a deep playoff run; therefore, Fizdale must raise his confidence, and he must do so now.

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