Memphis Grizzlies: Is Grayson Allen getting too much playing time?
There might not be a single team in the NBA with more depth than the Memphis Grizzlies. Without one of their stars, they’ve relied on almost every rostered player to contribute significant minutes to this team.
More specifically, this team has rotated through a cluster of guards, trying to find the best fit at the right time. This roster has five players listed as shooting guards who have been receiving between 14-24 minutes out on the court. That list doesn’t include Dillon Brooks either, who has been playing 30 minutes per game this season.
Without Jaren Jackson Jr., this Grizzlies team has been playing small-ball.
But what if this is working against them? Granted, this is a young team that is still trying to develop an identity, but they’ve got to find something and stick with it if they want success. That starts with a smaller rotation.
Memphis Grizzlies SG Grayson Allen has been playing more minutes than expected
Grayson Allen played his first game back in the lineup after receiving a concussion in a loss against the Los Angeles Clippers prior to the NBA All-Star break.
He played a solid game, scoring the ball well with 15 points and shooting efficiently. But Allen rejoins a Grizzlies backcourt that is filled to the brim, at least at the shooting guard position.
His presence was much-needed in a matchup where Desmond Bane, who got the start, failed to hit a shot, leaving the floor with 0 points on over 20 minutes in the game. Despite a bad game, Bane has been reliable at his position so far.
Along with that, De’Anthony Melton has played a solid season so far with the Grizzlies, improving in almost every statistical category imaginable.
But before the concussion, Allen was the guy getting most of the minutes behind Dillon Brooks. Despite the fact that he has a much lower ceiling than Melton or Bane, he’s receiving 24 minutes per game on the year, more than either of the aforementioned players.
It’s not an excessive amount, but most teams don’t have this many guys receiving heavy playing time. If the Grizzlies want to make a playoff push, they’ll have to cut down on somebody’s minutes.
Next. Was Desmond Bane given a starting role too early?. dark
The easiest guy to point to is Grayson Allen, but Taylor Jenkins has not shown any indiction of the fact that his minutes are going to decrease.