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Memphis Grizzlies: Regular Season’s Ups and Downs Will Continue on Beale Street

By Ed Memphis

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 12: Andrew Harrison #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during a pre-season game on October 12, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 12: Andrew Harrison #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during a pre-season game on October 12, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A long list of questions surrounding the Memphis Grizzlies just a few days from the start of the regular season is nothing new on Beale Street.

The preseason schedule left a lot of questions to be answered by the Memphis Grizzlies to say the least. Who is the starting shooting guard? Who is the starting small forward? How long will it be before rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. is named a starter?

The questions continue at a rapid pace. Does this team of glue guys stick strong enough to withstand a playoff berth? “Life’s ups & downs” as the classic T.I. song featuring Jamie Foxx plays, if you will.

One “up” to take from the preseason was the way Mike Conley and Marc Gasol looked in action. Both guys came out of the gate looking regular season-ready for the most part. Overall, it is great news because this Grizzlies team is going to need them both in rare form.

Related Story. Memphis Grizzlies: Wherever Mike Conley Goes, the Grizzlies Will Go. light

Conley had a 24-point performance versus the Orlando Magic in preseason play and looked good doing so — especially considering he did it in virtually 30 minutes. No. 11 looked great on cuts to the basket, off dribble shots, quickness, and demonstrated very little if any rust.

Gasol featured a game (against the Atlanta Hawks) of 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks while only one foul, so he showed up all over the stat sheet. It is safe to say that both guys are focused and they are looking ready for war.

On the downs and outs side of things, nobody has emerged in the conversation of the starting shooting guard position. It is surprising being as there are plenty of candidates to take on this role.

You can chalk that up to neither of the contestants really looking bad for the large part, or it is that we just do not have a clear-cut starter yet.

Of the same vein, I am highly disappointed with the Memphis Grizzlies’ lack of vision for Andrew Harrison. If he is not the starting shooting guard, he should certainly be the first guard off the bench, averaging starter-level minutes.

Grizzlies Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff did not give Harrison a start this preseason after being so heavily relied on the past two seasons. He was not Mike Conley, but he did a formidable job in a season where Conley was able to play in just 12 contests.

Next. Memphis Grizzlies' New Season to Be Filled with Uncertainty for Marc Gasol. dark

Andrew Harrison’s size, versatility, and potential as an all-around playmaker truly was on display that latter half of last season. Being as the Memphis Grizzlies are in serious need of talent acquisition, dropping the ball on a prospect such as Harrison will almost certainly prove to be another blow for the present and the future. Hopefully the regular season brings something of the better in this regard.

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