Grind City Views: Can the Grizzlies compete while developing young guards? (11/13)

Welcome to Grind City Views, Beale Street Bears’ daily roundup of the most relevant Memphis Grizzlies stories across the web.

Here’s some of the top Memphis Grizzlies stories from across the web to catch up on as the weekend winds to a close.

Can the Grizzlies compete and develop their rookie point guards simultaneously? 

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“The team has played better defensively with Baldwin on the floor. The Grizzlies have a worse defensive rating with Harrison on court than any other player. Harrison uses good physicality and size on the ball effectively, but is far worse off the ball. Baldwin’s quite disruptive defensively, with good ball instincts and elite length big factors in causing problems for the opposition. It’s just that, well, the offense grinds to such a halt with Baldwin out there that it more than overwhelms the defensive advantage … Should the Grizzlies persist with the painful process of player development at a crucial position when that development costs them wins in the short-term?  Would fans be willing to see the team lose games if it meant, for the first time in a long time, the Grizzlies would truly commit to giving minutes to rookies that need them to improve?”

Peter Edmiston dove really deep when comparing how rookie point guards Wade Baldwin IV and Andrew Harrison contribute when they’re on the court, and the results weren’t pretty. The offense is dramatically worse with both, whether due to high isolation rates or a plethora of turnovers.

It’s not a huge sample size, but Harrison’s teammates have shot significantly better with him on the court rather than with Baldwin running the offense.

That raises the question: Do the Memphis Grizzlies need to bring back Mario Chalmers in order to compete at a high level? After all, Mike Conley can’t play 48 minutes per game.

Related Story: Is a Mario Chalmers return to Memphis imminent?

Brandon Knight would be a solid fit for the Memphis Grizzlies

“Brandon Knight would have a big impact on any of these teams, but Memphis would have the most to gain. They are already one of the toughest opponents in the West, and Knight would provide an offensive spark that Grizzlies guards have struggled to provide alongside Conley. As an aging Tony Allen and Vince Carter are on their way out, Knight would be a star caliber SG to take their place.”

This isn’t a rumor, but it’s not really an unknown fact that Brandon Knight is underutilized in Phoenix and still has a lot left in the tank to offer. Of the four teams that could most use Knight—the 76ers, Knicks, Mavericks and Grizzlies—Memphis was ranked as No. 1. 

Members of the Grizzlies give tribute to Craig Sager

“How do you salute Craig Sager? GET UGLY, BABY!!! 

The Memphis Grizzlies did just that — sporting a bunch of disgustingly awesome Sager-inspired shirts Friday to pay tribute to the legendary courtside reporter … who’s in a fierce battle with cancer.

The shirts are being sold by the SagerStrong Foundation — and part of the money raised goes to leukemia patients and their families.”

If someone tells you “Everyone hates the media,” make sure to strike back and mention Craig Sager in your retort. The longtime sideline reporter has given the NBA’s fans and players someone to rally behind and support as he undergoes leukemia treatment.

The fellas are lookin’ fresh.

Next: Release the beast and get Deyonta Davis some minutes