What’s Wrong with the Memphis Grizzlies?

The Memphis Grizzlies are 2-8 in the their last 10 games, but all is not as bleak as it seems. The problems aren’t as great as they seem.

The Memphis Grizzlies opened the season at 5-1 with wins over Golden State and twice over Houston. Since then, they’re 2-8 with losses to the LA Lakers (7-10), Milwaukee Bucks (8-8), Charlotte (7-9) and Orlando (8-9). Their only wins were against the Clippers in Los Angeles, and at Portland by a single point.

What’s happened to the Memphis Grizzlies?

Injuries

First, injuries have played a major part in the Memphis Grizzlies’ dismal performance of late. This can’t be overlooked. Injuries to JaMychal Green, Mike Conley, Wayne Selden, Ben McLemore and Brandan Wright have made difficult to build team chemistry. When coaches are constantly juggling lineups, it makes it difficult on players to understand their roles.

Only five players have participated in all 16 games, and this list includes Dillon Brooks — the rookie second-round pick who most people didn’t anticipate having a regular role on the team. Instead Brooks has surprised most pundits as he’s earned a consistent starting role this season. One of the team’s stars, Marc Gasol, has played in all 16 games but has been slowed by a sore ankle. Chandler Parsons has played well but has been on a minutes restriction and is still not playing both games in a back-to-back series.

Clearly injuries are a major issue with the team’s performance of late.

Pace issues

However, just as important as the injuries the team has lost been the team’s loss of identity. The Grizzlies “Grit ‘n’ Grind” identity has been lost as the team have joined the 21st century style of play with more 3-point shooting and a quicker pace of play.

The increased pace hasn’t shown up in league standings. Memphis is currently 27th in the league in pace. Still they are playing quicker than the team has played in the past. The Grizzlies are currently 5th in the league in fast break points. They are running more than in the past.

They are running more despite not rebounding well as a team. The Grizzlies are currently 27th in the league in total rebounding percentage (47.3 percent). Last season, they rebounded at a 50 percent clip. In the last three games, that rate has dropped to 46.5 percent, including a horrendous 60-35 disadvantage on the boards against Portland.

The “Grit ‘n’ Grind” Grizzlies used to own the rebounding battle. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph were feared on the glass, especially on the offensive end. The Grizzlies consistently ranked among the league leaders in rebounding efficiency. That’s no longer the case.

Memphis is running more despite not creating opportunities with steals either. The Grit and Grind Grizzlies are currently 24th in the league in steals averaging 7.4 a night. That number has dropped to 5.7 a game over the last three games. Last season, the Grizzlies averaged 7.8 steals a game –which put them in the upper half of the league.

The Grizzlies have been blocking more shots. They’re currently fifth in the league, averaging 5.9 blocks per game (up from 4.1 blocks per game last season).

Overall, the team is playing better defense this season, but it’s not among the top defenses in the league like they were just a few years ago.

What’s missing?

What’s missing from this year’s team is that the Grizzlies are no longer a different team than most opponents fear every night. It used to be that playing the Memphis Grizzlies took teams out of their comfort zone. They played a different game, and most teams weren’t prepared to face this different style. They made teams work harder, think harder and play harder.

Tony Allen would wreck havoc on a game — usually on both sides of the court. Zach Randolph would beat opposing teams big men into submission. That was the identity of the Memphis Grizzlies. They were the team that muddied up the game and made it less fun to play.

Now when a team plays Memphis, they don’t have to change what they do. They aren’t taken out of their comfort zone. They’re free to do what they usually do and let the game come down to who’s best doing what they do best.

Memphis doesn’t have enough talent to win on talent alone. The opponents realize this.

The Grizzlies’ offense started off well, and they surprised some teams but with their attack. That’s no longer the case. Now teams know what to expect and have decided the best way to win is to force the Grizzlies to beat them from the perimeter. Take away the easy interior baskets, and if the Grizzlies hit their shots, then they’ll likely win — but most nights they won’t.

With the Grizzlies’ best perimeter shooters currently injured or recovering, it makes it that much more difficult too.

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Can they fix it?

The future isn’t all bleak however. The injuries will heal. Players will get back into game shape and better understand their roles. The chemistry so glaringly missing right now will return. “Grit ‘n’ Grind” was successful in the regular season, but they were never going to win it all with their style of play.

Their leaders’ age was becoming a factor too.

This season was always going to be an adjustment period. The Memphis Grizzlies came into the season realizing they were trying to reload not rebuild, and so far they have, aside from the injuries.

Memphis has played the fourth most difficult schedule so far — including a ridiculous four games against Houston. Memphis’ schedule will always be more difficult than most, due to playing in the most competitive division in the league, but it’ll somewhat ease up from this pace as well.

As the schedule eases and the injured players return, the team will improve. There’s nothing fundamentally wrong with Memphis right now that time and chemistry won’t heal.

Now would be a good time to remember, there’s darkness before the light. It may not seem like it today, but the light isn’t far away either.