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The Ghosts of Grizzlies’ Past: An NBA Draft Story

By Justin Lewis

SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 22: Deputy commissioner of the NBA Russ Granik holds a card with the Memphis Grizzlies logo, meaning that the Grizzlies have the right to choose their draft pick, during the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery on May 22, 2003 in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 22: Deputy commissioner of the NBA Russ Granik holds a card with the Memphis Grizzlies logo, meaning that the Grizzlies have the right to choose their draft pick, during the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery on May 22, 2003 in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2003 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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“In the 2018 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select….”

Haunting words for fans of the boys in Beale Street Blue. Time and time again the front office has missed on players in the draft. Currently Mike Conley and Dillon Brooks look as the only two players the Grizzlies have hit on since Conley was drafted in 2007. In case you need a reminder, lets look at some of the head scratchers.

Hasheem Thabeet. (2009)

To be fair, the front office was overridden by the owner, but we will forever have to live with this one. Blake Griffin was the undeniable first overall pick in this draft, and as much as Grizz fans loathe Blake Griffin, he should’ve been a Grizz. Stupid ping pong balls.  But picking second in the draft, you cannot afford to miss. The Grizz did just that. Taking Thabeet, they passed on James Harden (3rd overall), Steph Curry (7th overall), DeMar DeRozan (9th overall). Three NBA All stars and superstars. To be fair, no one knew Curry was going to be this great, and you had Mike Conley, but to pass on Harden and DeRozan is unforgiveable.

O.J. Mayo (2008)

Does anybody know where in the world O.J. Mayo is? I know where he should have never been, and that is on the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies had Kevin Love. I repeat, the Grizzlies had Kevin Love. It would have been the bang in the post rebounding monster Kevin Love that would have fit into the Grizz culture. The Grizzlies could have run out a lineup that included Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, and Kyle Lowry. The scouting department was sold on Mayo. Might I suggest that the presence of Mayo in the lineup stopped the front office from drafting Harden or DeRozan. That makes Mayo an even bigger bust when that is factored in. [ Side note, the Grizzlies could have drafted DeAndre Jordan instead of Darrell Arthur.]

2010

Josh Selby was taken instead of Isaiah Thomas

Tony Wroten (2012)

Wroten came out too early. Can’t blame the kid for the money grab while he could, but he came out too early to play for a coach that was not going to play him. On top of those factors, he was taken ahead of Jae Crowder and Draymond Green, both who would have fit in beautifully playing for Lionel Hollins. The front office also passed on Khris Middleton and University of Memphis star Will “The Thrill” Barton. Best case scenario for Wroten was always Sean Livingston.

Jordan Adams, Jarnell Stokes(2014) 

This one still stings a little. Watching Rodney Hood do what he does and then watching Jordan Adams do….. wait what does he do now? The fan favorite was Hood, but the front office got this kick of analytics and fell in love with Adams. I mention Stokes because we took him over Nikola Jokic, who had his own push in the front office to be drafted. (Someone put those people in charge please).  Jordan Clarkson also went after these two guys. Wow.

The front office has a chance to right these wrongs this summer. Will we add another name to this list or will we be able to heal?

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