As we continue scouting the Memphis Grizzlies’ opponents for next season, let’s look at the Utah Jazz. Will the loss of Gordon Hayward derail this team?
After years of staying in the lottery, the Utah Jazz found their niche, leading to a 50-win season and a second-round exit. The future was bright. Gordon Hayward looked the part of a go-to scorer. Rudy Gobert is a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Then, they had the perfect blend of role players surrounding this dynamic duo. Behind a sturdy, elite defense, this team wasn’t going anywhere …
Until a Players’ Tribune post.
Once Gordon Hayward made the move to Boston, Utah’s chances of making the playoffs went from definite to murky. While they do have some nice pieces, can anyone step up to become a go-to scorer?
The Memphis Grizzlies are in a similar predicament. While the players they lost were out of their prime – unlike Hayward – they lost franchise pillars who have helped this team succeed. In the process, they sacrificed depth for youth, hoping a few young players emerge from the pack. Now, it’s tough to say that the playoffs are a sure thing.
With both teams gunning to stay relevant, who will arise from the middle of the pack? Who has the upper hand in this matchup? Do the Memphis Grizzlies still have the same advantages and disadvantages against Utah?
Starting Lineup
PG – Ricky Rubio
SG – Rodney Hood
SF – Joe Ingles
PF – Derrick Favors
C – Rudy Gobert
Advantages for the Grizzlies
- Marc Gasol’s outside game
Rudy Gobert is the league’s best rim-protector, and it isn’t even close. If you don’t have a center that can space the floor, good luck scoring in the paint.
Insert Marc Gasol.
With Gasol’s newfound 3-point game, it’s important for him to find his stroke from distance against the Stifle Tower. It opens up numerous opportunities for the Memphis Grizzlies’ offense. It allows the guards to drive to the goal with a 7’2″ road block in the way. Perimeter players have the opportunity to cut to the basket, allowing the offense to still have movement. Also, it makes Marc Gasol a secondary playmaker.
Obviously he can shoot from distance, but his passing is elite for a big man. If he can take Gobert off the dribble and either find his shot or an open teammate, the Grizzlies’ offense will flourish.
The Grizz have two go-to scorers.
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The NBA is a star league. If you don’t have a guy who can score at an All-Star level, good luck winning. Well … with the way Golden State and Cleveland are constructed, you need three dynamite scorers to be a contender.
Luckily for the Memphis Grizzlies, they have Marc Gasol and Mike Conley – two scorers who can put up at least 20 points on any given night. On the other side, Utah lacks a true go-to scorer.
Because of Hayward’s departure, they don’t have a legitimate go-to scorer. Donovan Mitchell showed flashes of evolving into one during the Summer League, but that won’t happen right away in “varsity” NBA basketball. Their only real hope in finding a go-to scorer is in Rodney Hood. He’s a multi-facet scorer who can shoot the deep ball and drive to the basket. If he can find ways to create his own shot, he’ll become the guy in Utah.
Advantages for Utah
- Perimeter Depth
While the Jazz lost Hayward and George Hill, they’re still incredibly deep on the perimeter. Behind newly-acquired point guard Ricky Rubio, they have Dante Exum – a 6’6″ point guard who’s still an intriguing prospect.
Their wing depth is one of the deepest in the league. Joe Ingles and Rodney Hood are two proven sharpshooters who can defend at an above-average level. In last year’s playoffs, Joe Johnson proved that he’s still capable of his “Iso Joe” magic. Alec Burks has been plagued with injuries but is still a nice scoring option of the bench. They also acquired 3-and-D specialist Thabo Sefolosha. Lastly, they have Donovan Mitchell, an explosive wing who could be the guy in Utah for years to come.
For the Grizzlies, aside from Conley, Evans and Parsons, they’re unproven. Plenty of the guards and wings are fringe NBA players at the moment. Obviously, things can change, but Utah’s depth on the perimeter will be a problem for the Grizzlies.
- Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert is the type of player that can give the Grizzlies a rough time. With his insane standing reach and wingspan, scoring on him in the paint is a tall task. If the Grizzlies’ outside shooting isn’t on point, it’ll be hard to see them crack 75 points.
On the offensive end, he’s a difficult matchup for Marc Gasol. Last season, Utah ran a beautiful dribble-drive offense that often resulted in an alley-oop for Rudy Gobert. The Grizzlies have to eliminate generation to make Gobert a non-factor on offense.
Closing Remarks
The Memphis Grizzlies’ defense won’t be as elite as it used to be, but this matchup should still be a nice defensive battle. They’re two of the only teams in the league that still play at a slower pace.
Next: Toughest Games on the Schedule
When the season draws to an end, it won’t be surprising to see these two teams jousting for a playoff spot. If a go-to scorer can emerge to compliment their elite defense, Utah will remain a scary team out West.