Memphis Grizzlies 2017-18 Big Questions: Can they keep Marc Gasol and Mike Conley happy?
By Chip Crain
As we go through this “big questions” series, let’s continue the speculation and the hypotheticals. The Memphis Grizzlies are “rebuilding on the fly” — as GM Chris Wallace says. Can this strategy keep Marc Gasol and Mike Conley happy?
This is the only question that matters to me.
I know what you’re going to say: “The team started 3-0 with victories over the Warriors and Rockets and are back among the top-10 teams as far as many pundits are concerned.”
However, the Memphis Grizzlies is about to face a punishing stretch of games. On top of that, the injuries already are mounting. One has to wonder how long this good fortune can continue?
And worse, what will happen if it doesn’t?
Could it lead to dissatisfaction from Mike Conley and Marc Gasol? Will there be enough discontent for a full-blown rebuild?
Marc Gasol made these comments in the summer, and they could spell eventual trouble:
"“I’m very ambitious and I’ve wanted Memphis to be a great franchise. We’ve grown a lot the last 6-7 years, but we have to keep growing. If this is not lined up, maybe we may have to revisit things.”"
It may run in his blood, since his brother Pau demanded a trade when the team struggled as well. An extended streak of poor performances — along with a slip in the standings — could create an opportunity for Gasol to ask out. How long after that would the team need to monetize Mike Conley and enter full-rebuild mode?
Team chemistry is important to players like Conley and Gasol. Without Tony Allen, Vince Carter and Zach Randolph, they lost locker room leaders. There are a number of new — and young — faces, and it’s interesting if they can sustain the chemistry that has fueled a seven-year playoff run.
Now, Chandler Parsons is an x-factor in both on-court production and team chemistry. If Parsons is either hurt or not performing, it could spell trouble for this team as they failed to capitalize on cap space to give Gasol and Conley adequate help for another playoff run.
Parsons recently talked to reporters about how much playing 15 minutes a game sucked more playing time. If this storyline becomes a more serious issue, it might not sit well with Gasol and Conley — the two stars, leaders of this team and who Parsons was supposed to be a third fiddle with.
Not that their careers are over by any means, of course. Conley just turned 30 this month, and Gasol turns 33 this season. Conley isn’t a player who relies solely on speed. Gasol is a solid player who understands the game, not an athletic specimen like Dwight Howard, for instance. Both Conley and Gasol should have a number of solid producing years ahead of them.
They also realize that this team likely won’t be competing for a ring this season. How many more seasons will pass before this team can make a serious run?
Next: Which young player will become a rotation player for the Grizzlies?
Closing Remarks
It’ll fall on Fizdale’s shoulders to keep both players — especially Gasol — on board with the team’s direction and growth. Winning games early in the season will go a long way toward keeping the Grizzlies’ stars content.
Fizdale is supposed to be a master developer of talent. Will he will feel pressure to win now rather than build for the future? Gasol and Conley are both closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. Winning a title is important.