No. 2: The first look at post “Grit ‘n’ Grind”
The Memphis Grizzlies ignited a seven-year playoff run with a simple style: “grit ‘n’ grind.” It often yielded ugly basketball, but that was the beauty behind it. As the league evolved, the Grizzlies played old-school basketball and were the “dark-horse candidate” for the past decade.
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They bullied their opponents with their two brutes down low. Under the control of a steady floor general, they slowed it down and forced teams to play defense. They made you work for clean offensive looks — partially due to their ball-hawking shooting guard. They weren’t going to bomb 3’s on you or run you out of the gym, but they were going to methodically pick you apart with this ugly brand of basketball.
Now that Zach Randolph and Tony Allen are gone, this style is out the window too. While the marketing slogan may remain, the Grizzlies’ style of play will look drastically different.
The offense will be faster. They have more shooters and versatile playmakers. The elite defense may not stay the same, but their offense should cover the ground.
In this game, it’ll be everyone’s first look at the results. No matter what happens, expect hasty generalizations. If the Grizzlies look good tomorrow, people may start to book the championship parade on Beale Street. However, if they look sloppy and get demolished, expect the fanbase to consist of Chicken Little’s.
Blow it up! Trade everyone! This isn’t working. They should’ve kept Z-Bo and TA. We’re going to be terrible.
Fizdale’s vision could be a thing of beauty, or it could be the turning point to a rebuild.
Against the Pelicans, we’ll form a first impression.