Memphis Grizzlies Opposing Views: Los Angeles Lakers

As the season approaches, we’ll see how the Memphis Grizzlies match up against their opponents. How will the fare against the young Los Angeles Lakers?

The NBA landscape has shifted big time this summer. Long-time franchise cornerstones Zach Randolph and Tony Allen won’t be returning to the Memphis Grizzlies. Paul George, Paul Millsap and Jimmy Butler will all compete against each other in the Northwest division. Gordon Hayward has reunited with his college coach Brad Stevens, creating a Boston team that could legitimately scare King James and the Cavs.

While those storylines have dominated the summer, the Los Angeles Lakers have became relevant once again. After enduring the first season without Kobe Bryant in 20 years, Magic Johnson has formed a solid team around rookie sensation Lonzo Ball and rising sophomore Brandon Ingram. Also, new additions Brook Lopez and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope should help this team win some games.

Magic created a respectable team this year while saving tons of cap space for next offseason’s big free agency. While they won’t have LeBron James, Paul George or Russell Westbrook this season, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram should be highlights for a young, exciting team.

How should the Grizzlies fare against this Laker team? Will their youth, athleticism be too much? Or will veterans Mike Conley and Marc Gasol take them to school?

Projected Starting 5:

PG: Lonzo Ball

SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

SF: Brandon Ingram

PF: Julius Randle

C: Brook Lopez

Where the Memphis Grizzlies could excel

• Point guard play

While LaVar Ball has hyped his son Lonzo to be the NBA’s next big thing, he still has a ways to go before achieving superstardom. At 6’6″, he has a slender build and will get bullied by opposing guards. His defense is OK at this point, but it won’t be enough to contain Mike Conley. The veteran point guard has the quickness and ball-handling to light it up against the NBA’s Big Baller.

• Tyreke Evans

The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have any perimeter stoppers off the bench. While some may argue that KCP can play 48 minutes a game, they don’t have much defense off the bench. Luol Deng has always been a good perimeter defender but has surely lost a step. In the process, Tyreke Evans should exploit these matchups and have a field day against the Lakers’ second-unit wings. They don’t have anyone with the size or quickness to keep up with Evans. If they don’t watch out, Tyreke might “reke havoc” out there.

Where the Grizz could struggle

Backup point guard play

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This might end up being a recurring theme in this “Opposing Views” series. Unless Chalmers looks like his 2015-16 self, the Grizzlies won’t do well against backup point guards.

For the Lakers, they have one of the best in Jordan Clarkson. While he may spend plenty of time off the ball next to Ball, Clarkson will spend most of his time as the team’s backup point guard.

He could start for some other teams given his size, quickness and scoring ability. However, the Lakers are fortunate enough to have him as a sixth man. Wade Baldwin, Andrew Harrison or Mario Chalmers will have their hands full against Clarkson.

• Backup big men

Another recurring theme for the Grizzlies. Brandan Wright is a solid backup big man, but who after that? Jarell Martin? Ivan Rabb? Deyonta Davis?

The Lakers have two young studs in Larry Nance Jr. and Kyle Kuzma off the bench. Both have the athletic ability to run the Grizzlies’ big men out of the gym.

Next: 5 reasons the Grizz should've kept Lance

Closing Remarks

Even though they probably won’t make the playoffs like Lavar says, Lakers will be a fun team to watch. They have an exciting young core in Ball, Ingram, Randle and Clarkson, and their veterans will surely help this team. Like last season, we should expect plenty of good contests between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Lakers.