Memphis Grizzlies: 4 things that must happen before the season opener

3. Steven Adams needs to build chemistry not just with the Memphis Grizzlies starters, but also the fans

Steven Adams, the team’s new center replacing Jonas Valanciunas, will be the most noticeable and notable new face on the Memphis Grizzlies this season.

By his own admission, in a recent interview with a Memphis reporter, Steven Adams acknowledges his status as an outsider. He’s an outsider not just with the Grizzlies starters, but with fans too.

"“My reputation here is actually not that great I don’t think,” Adams told the Daily Memphian. “Because Z-Bo (Zach Randolph) punched me in the face as a rookie, and then you guys lost Game 7 because of it — just to bring up some old stuff.”"

Wouldn’t it be great if Grizzlies fans can let bygones be bygones and welcome Steven Adams to Memphis with open arms? With the first charge that Steven Adams draws in a game, fans will be ready to cheer him on.

2. Play Jarrett Culver, Carsen Edwards, and Kris Dunn as much as possible

The Memphis Grizzlies need to collect as much in-house data on key newcomers in order to make the most accurate and appropriate assessment before roster cuts are made.

You can imagine the starters will get a few minutes of game time in each preseason game, but it’s these new faces that the Grizzlies have acquired this summer that need to see the floor the most.

The roster must be trimmed and only one two-way contract remains, so there are a few players the Memphis Grizzlies acquired this offseason that will not be with the team by the time the first regular-season game rolls around in mid-October.

Many are expecting Jarrett Culver as having the best chances of sticking around. We’ll have to see who can perhaps play their way into a roster spot with excellent play in preseason basketball.