With the NBA regular season returning to action tonight, the Grizzlies prepare for a long road back to being a Western Conference contender. While their focus should be set on placing their name with the likes of the Thunder, Rockets, Nuggets, Timberwolves, etc., they need to ensure they avoid a setback with teams behind them looking to catch them.
The Utah Jazz had the NBA's worst record last season, and following their unluckiness in the draft lottery to fall to the fifth pick, they are expected to remain as one of the worst teams this season. They enter the season tied with the Brooklyn Nets as FanDuel Sportsbook's lowest over/under in win totals at 19.5 for the season. Despite those low expectations, the Grizzlies need to be mindful that teams behind them are just as hungry as they are to move up the standings.
The Grizzlies' young talent have to produce
The Jazz have one of the youngest teams in the NBA entering this season when factoring in their potential playing rotation. The Grizzlies ensured they exerted their dominance over them last season with a 4-0 season series sweep. That doesn't bode well for a Jazz team looking to climb the standings, but that kind of dominance needs to remain in the Grizzlies' mentality to keep it that way this season.
Every NBA season is different, as each team starts with the same record of 0-0. That means everyone can change their perception of the previous season, as it doesn't matter for what is to come in the current season. Memphis enters this season with a lot of youth, who are expected to play important minutes to determine their standing.
Cedric Coward is the headliner of their young wings as he was drafted with the 11th overall pick this summer. Getting him to produce early and having second-year wing Jaylen Wells take the next step are high on the list of what the Grizzlies need to ensure they are ready to get better. While the Grizzlies and Jazz appear on different paths, they have some similarities that can bring them closer.
Jazz rookie wing Ace Bailey was the 5th pick in the draft this summer and had a productive preseason. Adding him to the lineup with Lauri Markkanen could yield positive results sooner rather than later. It is reasons like those that the Grizzlies can't afford to take their foot off the gas as the Western Conference as a whole got better this summer.