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3 changes to expect from the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021-22

By Jack Williams

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 30: Head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies Taylor Jenkins confers with Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 30, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 30: Head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies Taylor Jenkins confers with Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during game against the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on January 30, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. 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 Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Steven Adams, Memphis Grizzlies Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

The Memphis Grizzlies are shifting toward a more defensive-minded scheme

This slide would have been more powerful a couple of days ago when Patrick Beverley was planning on suiting up for the Memphis Grizzlies. Still, the primary point behind this applies.

Last season, the Grizzlies were exactly average on offense and defense. Their scoring offense finished 15th in the NBA, while their scoring defense finished 16th. Uniquely, they didn’t stick out on either side of the ball and still managed to find enough success on the court to make the NBA Playoffs.

This can’t last though. No matter what your argument is against it, all NBA Championship teams are either unstoppable offensively, as the Golden State Warriors were for so long, or dominant on defense, like the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons. It looks like Memphis is electing to take the defensive route.

This was evident by the fact that they were willing to swap Jonas Valanciunas for Steven Adams, a deal that yielded them a slightly worse player who has a much higher defensive ceiling. The 9.5-point scoring dropoff between the two players will make this obvious. The Grizz would continue this strand when they added Ziaire Williams, arguably the 2021 NBA Draft’s best perimeter defender.

Beyond this, they’ve tacked on Jarrett Culver, a former 6th-overall pick who has been bad offensively and solid on defense thus far, and Yves Pons, a guy who has been elite as a shot-blocker in this year’s Summer League.

Whether defense is the long-term goal or not — it’s what we’re going to be seeing in the short-term future.

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