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4 Reasons the Memphis Grizzlies Should be in Jimmy Butler’s Preferred Teams

By Christian Dudley

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 9: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 9, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 9: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 9, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 9: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 9, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 9: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 9, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Need for High-Octane Offense

A common theme for the Memphis Grizzlies has been a lack of outside shooting in addition to scoring in general. In the franchise’s best days — the “Grit-‘n’-Grind” era — there was never an abundance of scoring from any one individual. It was the balanced attack that made Memphis so frightful in the Western Conference.

Even with Zach Randolph out of the picture, it is hard to imagine Marc Gasol or Mike Conley becoming a league-leading scorer. These two guys can score in a plethora of ways, but their diverse skill sets allow them to do so much more on the floor to open doors for their teammates. This is not at all a bad thing; however, the Grizzlies desire a lethal scorer.

The Memphis Grizzlies had a dynamic wing scorer by the name of Rudy Gay, but he was often slighted for his lack of outside shooting in addition to mediocre defense. Looking back on those “GNG” days, Grizz Nation often asks themselves “how far would Memphis have gone in keeping Rudy a little while longer?” He may have been the final spark needed in a Western Conference series to launch the Grizzlies to a first-ever NBA Finals appearance — and beyond.

Jimmy Butler is an example of the best of both worlds. Not only does he pack the punch on the defensive end — along with the best defenders in the entire league — but he is third amongst all active players in offensive rating. Butler has earned the right to a top-20 ranking among all scorers in the points per game category…in all of the past four seasons.

Rudy Gay had the same feat earlier in the decade, but he did not boast the defensive numbers produced by Jimmy Butler on a consistent basis. Memphis having an All-Star wing is an unknown feeling. By receiving one of the league’s premier two-way players, the Grizzlies would have an exceptional chance at being one of the best in the West. They already have the defense, but definitely lack the lethal scorer that could be Butler.

Related Story. Greatest Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay. light

Jimmy is the assertive player Memphis really needs on offense. With just 14.2 shot attempts per game in 2017-18, Gasol does not take control as he should on a nightly basis. Conley has been on the rise in his offensive game in recent seasons — now at 14 shot attempts per game — but injuries have hindered No. 11 from showing if his top-level production is sustainable.

When it comes to putting points on the scoreboard, Jimmy Butler is elite. He has the physique to battle through the league’s best defenses to put up 20- and 30-point performances regularly. Over the past three seasons, Butler has not attempted less than 15.4 shots per game, and he is doing it efficiently (47.4% overall from the field, 35% from three-point land in 2017-18).

In short, Memphis would love to hand the scoring keys to Jimmy Butler, and all signs point to him thriving with an expanded opportunity — exactly what he wants.

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