Grizzly Grades: Memphis Grizzlies’ 2019-20 NBA Season
By AJ Salah
The Memphis Grizzlies took the NBA by storm in 2019-20. We’re looking back at this season’s term, and handing out grades for the important classes.
Usually a rebuild takes time. Several seasons of slogging in the NBA’s basement, a few lottery gambles, a well-timed signing or two. As Sam Hinkie so deliberately taught us, it’s a process. Not for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Apparently, the Grizzlies weren’t exactly feeling that. They took the express elevator back to NBA relevance, contending for the playoffs less than a year after detonating Grit ‘N Grind’s core.
The organization underwent a top-down facelift overnight: new coach, new GM, new 70% of the roster. The results were almost as dramatic and instantaneous.
Unfortunately, the Grizzlies’ season didn’t exactly end as planned. Injuries on both sides of the COVID-19 hiatus sabotaged amazing progress. Despite an inspiring effort, the Grizzlies succumbed to a better Portland Trail Blazers team in the NBA’s first-ever (official) playoff play-in.
But bitter as the conclusion was, the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2019-20 season was nothing short of remarkable.
Last season, we handed out report card-style grades in key areas:
- On-Court Performance
- Asset Management
- Player Development
- Organizational Culture
- Cap Management
Understandably, the 2019 Grizzly Grades were a serious mixed bag in a season fraught with transition, turmoil and tanking.
This year, Memphis did… Better.
Join Beale Street Bears as we re-visit the most bizarre NBA season ever, and break down the grades: