Memphis Grizzlies Hot Takes: Is team better without Tony Allen and Zach Randolph

Conservative Hold

Better suited for a modern NBA game? Probably.

Better off long-term? Sure.

Just straight-up better? The jury’s still out.

The recency effect clouds the comparison since the Grizzlies were dogged by injuries the past two years, accelerating the decline of the #GNG era. As such, Memphis’ ceiling was tough to gauge from 2015-17.

There are also a lot of good things going on that aren’t necessarily caused by Randolph & Allen’s absences. Chandler Parsons is showing signs of life. Tyreke Evans has been a plus off the bench. Dillon Brooks is making an impact as a rookie. Marc Gasol looks like he’s shed 20 pounds, is rebounding more and would be an early MVP candidate if Giannis allowed the race to exist.

Despite this, Memphis is still playing at the league’s third-slowest pace, sporting the second-worst adjusted assist mark, and sitting 24th in 3-point percentage. Some of the problems they ostensibly shed with their former stars persist so far.

They have a chance to be better without Z-Bo and “The Grindfather,” but not necessarily because they’re gone. — AJ Salah (@Salas42_)