Why the Grizzlies will still not be contenders in 2022

While all Memphis Grizzlies fans want a championship — who wouldn’t — their team may be further away than people may think. Yes, they have the pieces and have done the drafting, but there is just more to it than that.

Ja Morant is already one of the league’s best point guards. Look at the way he leads and his maturity just at the age of 22; it’s almost as if he has been there before. His athleticism is nearly unmatched. Most importantly, he looked like he belonged in the playoffs with a 40-point game.

However, the Grizzlies need more. They need more from the other guys, a few things from the other guys actually.

Hopefully, over the next few years, they can get that, along with everything else that will help the city of Memphis feel like champions — something they have never felt. The day that happens, Beale Street will explode, along with the I-40 bridge.

What do the Grizzlies need to win a championship?

To start, this team needs its best players to be as healthy as possible. Mainly, that means Jaren Jackson Jr., who has missed an abundance of games over the last two seasons. Yes, he played in the NBA Playoffs last season, but he was not comfortable in the playoffs because he missed a large portion of the season.

Now that the team has added big man Steven Adams, they have even more injury concerns on their roster. Adams struggled with injuries during his time with the Thunder and even a little last season with the Pelicans. When you are as big as he is, you tend to take a beating, which can take a toll on anyone’s body.

Ja Morant has not struggled with injuries yet, but that does not mean he won’t. The way he plays is dangerous. He is very aggressive and flies high with no remorse for his body every time he drives the lane. However, I think the Grizzlies will be fine in that area.

The other thing that won’t help their case in title contention would be their shooting from behind the arc. The Grizzlies ranked 20th in 3-point percentage in each of the last two seasons. One of the team’s most efficient shooters in Grayson Allen was dealt earlier this offseason, so it could only get worse.

Not only can this team not shoot the ball well, but they don’t defend the 3-point shot well either. This past season, Memphis ranked 18th in the league at defending the deep ball, allowing opponents to shoot nearly 37% from that area.

This team still has a lot to work on, even though they played well in the playoffs last season. However, that was only the first round, and it only gets harder from there. Look for the Grizzlies to be a fun team to watch in 2022, as they always are.