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NBA Draft: Kyle Lowry the Greatest Pick in Memphis Grizzlies History?

By Ed Memphis

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 19: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball as Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors defends during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on January 19, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft Kyle Lowry
The Memphis Grizzlies originally drafted Kyle Lowry in the 2006 NBA Draft (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Verdict

In his seven seasons with Toronto, Kyle Lowry has averaged 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and one steal per game. I would argue his individual stats are the least important of his accomplishments over the past seven years. Lowry has been selected to five NBA All-Star teams in seven seasons while Mike Conley has not even been selected to one.

Conley apologists would quickly argue that Lowry was selected as an NBA All-Star in the weaker Eastern Conference. I could counter with the fact Conley and Lowry both have competed to be selected for a spot on Team USA virtually every year they were eligible, and yet Lowry is the one who made the Olympic team and won an Olympic gold medal.

Not only was Kyle Lowry on the team, but he was the team’s primary guard defender while giving guards fits defensively. The other team’s guards in the Olympics just simply were not used to such an aggressive and physical style of defense we can play in America.

Next. 5 Things Memphis Grizzlies Can Learn from the Toronto Raptors. dark

Lowry is now the lone wolf in the common denominator of dominance, in the Eastern Conference in this generation span of the past seven years. The Toronto Raptors have been to the Conference Finals and now the NBA Finals. Love him or hate him, Kyle Lowry has racked up far more accomplishments than any other Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft pick ever, and something has to be said for that.

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