Grizzlies' general manager Zach Kleiman made a loud and clear message at the team's exit interview about the type of players that resonate with the city of Memphis and their fans. "It’s the gritty guys, it’s the guys that have the dog to their game" is the statement Kleiman made following the Grizzlies' disappointing end to their season at the hands of the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
After selecting Washington State forward Cedric Coward in the first round of the NBA draft, the Grizzlies selected West Virginia guard Javon Small and University of Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack with their two second-round draft picks. Memphis utilized the last pick of the draft (aka Mr. Irrelevant) with a trade back from the 56th pick to select the Mashack, who will remain in the state of Tennessee.
One common theme is consistent about all three of their selections, and it confirms what Zach Kleiman envisioned for the makeover of their roster this offseason.
Memphis is regaining it's identity
Memphis is known as a blue-collar city (not whatever Stephen A. Smith said), and the Grizzlies embodied that mentality throughout the 2010s with seven straight postseason appearances as a hard-nosed defensive team. That identity remained as they transitioned into their new era with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way, but it all went south last season.
The toughness that Memphis teams were known for was nonexistent last season, and it showed when they played good opponents. The Grizzlies consistently didn't match the physicality presented against the other Western Conference teams, and they faltered down the stretch of the season because of it.
All three of their draft selections have defensive traits that the team lacked last season, and while they all likely won't play this season, it presents a start to their road back to the city's identity. The Grizzlies lost the vibe of the city last season and have already begun the process of recapturing it in two nights.