Memphis Grizzlies: Is it time to trust the process?
As the Memphis Grizzlies host the Philadelphia 76ers, these teams are in two different directions. Is it time to trust the process?
“Trust the process.”
It was a phrase that sparked a movement in Philadelphia and in the NBA. After years of treading in mediocrity, the Sixers decided it was time to start fresh. The mastermind of the rebuild, Sam Hinkie, urged fans to “trust the process,” because it was surely going to be an ugly ride.
Hinkie wasn’t afraid to flip talented players (see: Holiday, Jrue) for even more enticing assets (see: 2019 Sacramento pick).
In the “tank,” they took flyers on young players who have been key contributors for this team. Robert Covington has emerged as one of the best 3&D wings in the league. TJ McConnell is one of the NBA’s best backup point guards. Richaun Holmes has also been a solid backup big man.
More importantly, they’ve landed franchise talent in the lottery. Dario Saric is the perfect 4 for them as he can stretch the floor and serve as a secondary playmaker. Markelle Fultz was the right pick, and if he could get his shot back from the Monstars, he’ll be an excellent combo guard.
The main results of the process: Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Both players are franchise-altering players who could very well be all-time greats. They may have injury history, but the talent is there, and they’re already taking the NBA by storm.
Prior to this season, Philadelphia won a combined total of 75 games. Now, they’re in prime position for a playoff spot. They’ve now won eight of their last 10 games and have surged to the sixth seed in the East.
With the Memphis Grizzlies season looking as lost as ever, should they trust the process?
It is time …
The Grizzlies are doomed in the West with this current roster. Their core players are injury-prone and moving away from their primes. They can’t afford to keep their best player, Tyreke Evans, because they overpaid for core and role players like Ben McLemore and JaMychal Green. They haven’t been in a position to draft a marquee prospect and have failed in the first round since 2008.
Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are All-Star talents … inching past their primes. Conley can’t stay healthy, and Gasol’s game is declining. Both players are tough to move, but it should be time to entertain some offers.
They have promising young talent, but they might be complementary players at best. Yes, Dillon Brooks and Wayne Selden have been solid so far, but they both need to expand their offensive repertoire and sustain some sort of defensive consistency before becoming legitimate starters on a playoff team. Ivan Rabb has skill, but he needs to add more muscle. Deyonta Davis can be an excellent rim-protector, but he’s better in a low-usage, high-efficient situation. He won’t be the same caliber center as Joel Embiid or Karl-Anthony Towns; at best, he might be another Clint Capela or Tristan Thompson.
Aside from those players, nobody has a long-term future with this team. Kobi Simmons, Andrew Harrison and Jarell Martin are essentially expendable bench players.
Even if they decide to call it a season, who says a top-five pick paired with Gasol, Conley and Parsons can make a playoff run next year? San Antonio, Golden State and Houston aren’t going anywhere. Younger teams in playoff contention (Minnesota, Denver, Portland, New Orleans) will only get better. The Suns and the Lakers are brewing a solid group of young talent, respectively.
This current roster, minus Evans, might leave you in the lottery again — even if they were to get a top-five pick. You’ll be asking a lot of the rookie and out of the current young players right now. On top of that, you’re asking a 31-year old Mike Conley to come off a potentially season-ending injury to be the team’s best player. The Grizzlies need a 34-year old Marc Gasol to play like the 29-year old version of himself. Oh, and you still need Chandler Parsons to stay healthy.
There are too many factors that need to go right for the Memphis Grizzlies to bounce back to the playoff next season and beyond. This team is capped, and their competition is only getting better each year. They’re in checkmate at this point. They should recognize this and start over.
Besides, why not take advantage of the protected pick to Boston? Restart, nab two more top-five talent and run with a whole new core.
Philadelphia has shown that trusting the process could brew a bright future. Memphis should trust the process.
Next: Bagley becoming a popular Grizz pick in mock drafts
Game Info
Who: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Philadelphia 76ers
When: 7:00 PM – ct
Where: FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN
How to watch: Fox Sports Southeast, or any online stream
How to listen: 92.9 ESPN – Memphis