ESPN is not giving much credit through entertainment factors to the Memphis Grizzlies, but there will be plenty reason for excitement in 2018-19.
Preseason NBA basketball is here, which means ESPN has released their league rankings for most fun teams to dial in on NBA League Pass. Much like their season predictions, the Memphis Grizzlies are placed near the bottom of the pack.
Zach Lowe only picked the Grizzlies ahead of the likes of the Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic, respectively. It could be argued all day if these four particular clubs deserve to be located at the very bottom in terms of view-ability, but the conversation is really about Memphis continuously being slighted.
Lowe calls out the Grizzlies’ slow pace in addition to their excessive fouling during the 2017-18 season. However, that Grizzly group was without Mike Conley — the conductor of the team’s well-being, for 70 games.
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The Memphis Grizzlies did not throw a $153 million contract at Conley to not receive anything in return. They did this in very good reason. When healthy, he is one of the league’s premier point guards and two-way players.
With Memphis ranking 28th in pace and 27th in offensive rating in 2017-18, this speaks volumes to Mike Conley’s importance. They were lost without him. ESPN should absolutely consider his return to a bill of good health, which will be on full display in Tuesday’s preseason meeting versus the Houston Rockets.
Additionally, Conley is not a constant “hack” on the hardwood. He is a prime example of playing stifling defense without fouling. He owns a career average of 1.5 steals per game, which speaks for itself.
Conley’s presence alone should catapult the Grizzlies into a higher portion of Zach Lowe’s view-ability rankings. Nonetheless, there are many other items that should make the Memphis Grizzlies one of your top picks when selecting a game to watch on a nightly basis as you are flipping through the NBA League Pass schedule.
Consider the sophomore season development of Dillon Brooks. Being a second round selection in 2017 to playing all 82 regular season games, Brooks looks to improve upon his 11.0 points per game average. He will be attempting to do so while trying his hand at increased ball-handling duties. If he is successful, a return trip to the annual NBA Rising Stars Challenge is to be had.
You cannot forget about the Memphis Grizzlies’ rookie tandem in the upcoming 2018-19 season. It will be tough for any opponent to propose a better first-year duo than the Grizz.
Jevon Carter, pick No. 32, has all the makings of a potential Draft Night steal. His tenacity and passion for the game is unmatched by his rookie peers.
Plus, when discussing the No. 4 overall pick of this year’s Draft, all eyes should be on the 19-year-old sensation, Jaren Jackson Jr. After all, Triple-J was recently named one of the league’s best players under the age of 25, and he has yet to play his first regular season NBA game.
If Zach Lowe was right about anything regarding the Grizzlies, it is in regard to the versatility and craftiness behind the team’s three-time NBA All-Star center, Marc Gasol.
Big Spain has continuously improved his game, especially on the offensive end. Now that he focuses on being a leader, he will be making his presence known at a higher level night-in and night-out.
Is this still not enough for you to tune in to the Memphis Grizzlies?
Consider this. Memphis may be the most versatile team in the association. They may also be the top-rated defense for much of the season. A component of these aspects are the added bench depth the Grizzlies’ Front Office stockpiled throughout the offseason.
These Memphis Grizzlies are worth watching this season. They will not produce a second consecutive season of being a Western Conference bottom-feeder. 2017-18 was an injury-ridden fluke of a journey.
Memphis may favor the defensive side of the basketball, but they will be fun, exciting, and entertaining to view. It is time that someone gives this team credit, and it will not come until this team strings victories together. Do not be surprised once it happens, starting with their season-opener on the road versus the Indiana Pacers.