Memphis Grizzlies 2019-2020

amfox1

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Your 2019-20 Memphis Grizzlies (updated for CJ Miles trade and Avery Bradley waiver)

C - Jonas Valanciunis, Miles Plumlee
PF - Jaren Jackson, Josh Jackson, Brandon Clarke (R)
SF - Kyle Anderson, Jae Crowder, Dillon Brooks, Solomon Hill
SG - Andre Iguodala, Grayson Allen, Marko Guduric
PG - Ja Morant (R), De'Anthony Melton (Delon Wright (RFA) expected to re-sign for the full mid-level exception)

(Assumes non-guaranteed contracts of Ivan Rabb and Bruno Caboclo are not picked up)
 

Sprowl

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Split off from the Offseason Thread. We'll be following the misfortunes of the Grizz all year long to see when the Memphis pick conveys to Boston.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Not a total train wreck given JJJ and Morant, but on paper they are worse than everyone but Phoenix in the West, pending further moves by OKC. The East is bad but all those bad teams get to play each other and somebody has to win.

Another exciting year in the tankathon.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I expect Iggy to be traded or bought out before the season so he should be off this list too. You have a bunch of useful role players but when you have useful role players and a couple 20-year olds with no hope of winning the role players become less useful. Tankathon baby!!
 

benhogan

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Delon Wright dealt today, he was usable. Valanciunis may be trade bait on ~Dec 15th

15 teams in the West.
last years 8 playoff teams & Lakers will destroy Memphis
Sacramento, Dallas much better than Memphis
Phoenix, Minn, New Orleans all better than Memphis

A handful of East teams will stink also but the West will tattoo the Grizz. Their schedule will be ugly, don't see how they stay out of the bottom 3.
 

bowiac

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Sure seems like their plan is a one-year bottom out, get a top six pick, and then presumably start to build once Ja has his feet wet. I don't know anything about the strengths of the 2020 or 2021 drafts, but in the abstract, that's a sensible plan.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Sure seems like their plan is a one-year bottom out, get a top six pick, and then presumably start to build once Ja has his feet wet. I don't know anything about the strengths of the 2020 or 2021 drafts, but in the abstract, that's a sensible plan.
Which year are HS players eligible for the draft? That projects to be the year to be stockpiling picks for a rebuilding team.
 

bowiac

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The expectation right now is 2022, but that remains somewhat in flux. At one point it was 2021, but that got pushed back.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Darn, I was really hoping for 2021 and the Memphis pick.
If that Memphis pick is as valuable as I'd always hoped it would be it could be strategically used in trade to push it back a year if that class warrants. I'm sure there will be GM's desperate enough to want a high lottery pick to shed a year off their rebuilding to where Ainge could potentially pants a guy.
 

lovegtm

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Good call. That could even come into play this year if the pick is 8 or so: the best value in these things generally comes when a team really wants to move from 14 to 8 or whatever.
 

Jimbodandy

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Good call. That could even come into play this year if the pick is 8 or so: the best value in these things generally comes when a team really wants to move from 14 to 8 or whatever.
Something weird has to happen for that pick to fall to 8, doesn't it? I dont think that there are too many teams worse than Memphis. I know, Sacramento, but still.
 

lovegtm

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Something weird has to happen for that pick to fall to 8, doesn't it? I dont think that there are too many teams worse than Memphis. I know, Sacramento, but still.
The Eastern conference still counts :)

More importantly, with the new lottery odds it’s easy for 2-3 teams to jump you.
 

Jimbodandy

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The Eastern conference still counts :)

More importantly, with the new lottery odds it’s easy for 2-3 teams to jump you.
Not taking anything for granted of course, but they seem like a team destined to struggle badly next year. If I gambled, I'd put money on them not dropping to 6 even if 3 teams jump them.
 

NoXInNixon

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Charlotte, Cleveland, Phoenix, Knicks, Bullets are all likely pretty bad
Four of those teams are in the East, with much easier schedules than the Grizzlies who will be playing a team fighting for a playoff spot almost every night.
 

mauf

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Four of those teams are in the East, with much easier schedules than the Grizzlies who will be playing a team fighting for a playoff spot almost every night.
You’d think this would matter more than it apparently does. Last season, five teams in the East had a worse record than the second-worst team in the West. Four of those five Eastern teams aren’t likely to be materially better (with Atlanta being the exception), and Charlotte figures to be as bad as anyone. So it’s not hard to imagine five of the worst six teams being in the East again.
 

lovegtm

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You’d think this would matter more than it apparently does. Last season, five teams in the East had a worse record than the second-worst team in the West. Four of those five Eastern teams aren’t likely to be materially better (with Atlanta being the exception), and Charlotte figures to be as bad as anyone. So it’s not hard to imagine five of the worst six teams being in the East again.
Yeah, at the end of the day, this often ends up separated by just a couple games, so organizational incentives matter a lot. It looks like the Grizzlies might have a tanking directive this year and be trying to follow the SAC and LAL path of top of the lottery -> late lottery the next year. We'll see how that goes.
 

Jimbodandy

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Yeah, at the end of the day, this often ends up separated by just a couple games, so organizational incentives matter a lot. It looks like the Grizzlies might have a tanking directive this year and be trying to follow the SAC and LAL path of top of the lottery -> late lottery the next year. We'll see how that goes.
I thought that the conventional wisdom was that they're surely tanking this year and adding one more piece. I could have heard that wrong.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Memphis drops the opener to Miami playing without Butler, after fading big time in the 4th (typical of young teams). Ja was -29 in his debut.

To remind everyone, the Memphis pick is protected 1-6 this season and unprotected next season.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Grizz blow another 2nd half lead in their home opener against the new Baby Bulls to go 0-2. The kids are getting a lot of run which is nice for their future and for ours. These are the kinds of games the Kings maddeningly pulled out all last season.
 

Red Averages

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Lost in how fun it is to actually be able to root for the Celtics again, the Grizz have started out 1-5 after losing to HOU last night and currently sport the worst avg point differential (-11.8) in the league. Upcoming schedule:

Vs. Minn
@ ORL
vs. Dal
@ SA
@ Cha
 

HomeRunBaker

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Lost in how fun it is to actually be able to root for the Celtics again, the Grizz have started out 1-5 after losing to HOU last night and currently sport the worst avg point differential (-11.8) in the league. Upcoming schedule:

Vs. Minn
@ ORL
vs. Dal
@ SA
@ Cha
Jae Crowder may have a secret deal worked out with Ainge as he's been simply horrific for the Grizz this year. For those unsure how important it is for a role player to find the right situation pay attention to Jae as he's becoming one of the many poster boys......although he may share this years poster with Avery Bradley to show how the other side lives when you get to play off superstars.

Their problem is that they don't have an identify. They are playing a bunch of 20 and 22-year olds alongside veterans like Crowder, Valanciunus, and Solomon HIll while a heady guy like Kyle Anderson gets lost in the middle of this youth/veteran battle. It's somewhat reminiscent of a poor mans Celtics team from last year. No identify, no culture, nobody having a clue what they are trying to accomplish as a group. They play fast which is good for their offense and bad for their defense and their offense has been awful which is bad for both their offense and their defense...…..and why is Valanciunas on the roster of a team looking to be young and play uptempo? He probably can't wait to get out of town. Combine this with a rookie head coach who got his break after one year on the Bucks bench riding the coattails of Giannis and there you have your current state of affairs for the Memphis Grizzlies.

One note of interest that belongs in The NBA Betting Thread...….despite Memphis being 1-5 ATS (against the spread) this year they are 6-0 vs the 1H number.
 
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BigSoxFan

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It's doubly maddening considering that the Kings are 2-5 this year right now.
Don't even get me started on the 2018-2019 Kings. Argh. As for Memphis, isn't it pretty likely that we keep this pick wherever it lands since we'll need it to balance out the top heavy contracts of Kemba, Jaylen, Tatum, etc.?
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Don't even get me started on the 2018-2019 Kings. Argh. As for Memphis, isn't it pretty likely that we keep this pick wherever it lands since we'll need it to balance out the top heavy contracts of Kemba, Jaylen, Tatum, etc.?
It is also a difficult pick to place a value on in the first place since it is still unclear when it will be conveyed, never mind where it ends up in the lotto. That alone makes it a likely keep, in addition to the added value of a cheap but valuable young piece—assuming Ainge nails the pick of course.
 

nighthob

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It is also a difficult pick to place a value on in the first place since it is still unclear when it will be conveyed, never mind where it ends up in the lotto. That alone makes it a likely keep, in addition to the added value of a cheap but valuable young piece—assuming Ainge nails the pick of course.
You’re going to love Jalen Johnson.
 

BigSoxFan

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2 straight wins for the Grizz. So many bad teams this year that this pick has a decent chance of conveying. Looks like I need to start scouting the 7-15 range.
 

Smokey Joe

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Sadly, I was thinking the same thing. There are 6 teams ahead of them in the lottery sweepstakes.
 

tmracht

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16 teams with 4 or less wins, but only 4 teams with 3 or less (well no one has 3). This will be bananas.
 

DJnVa

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They play the Jazz, Nuggets, Lakers, Pacers, Clippers, then Jazz again in 6 of their next 7 games.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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With the new odds they really just have to be in shouting distance of the top 6 to have a decent chance to make the jump. Even at the 9 slot you have a 26% chance to jump to top 4, which is exactly what happened to them last year.
 

nighthob

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2 straight wins for the Grizz. So many bad teams this year that this pick has a decent chance of conveying. Looks like I need to start scouting the 7-15 range.
If you’re in need of something to make you feel better, start watching YouTube video of Precious Achiuwa.
 

lovegtm

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2 straight wins for the Grizz. So many bad teams this year that this pick has a decent chance of conveying. Looks like I need to start scouting the 7-15 range.
They are pretty bad. The original Process Sixers started 3-0. Things will even out as the year goes on; this isn’t a 2018-2019 Kings situation imo.
 

BigSoxFan

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They are pretty bad. The original Process Sixers started 3-0. Things will even out as the year goes on; this isn’t a 2018-2019 Kings situation imo.
Yes, but I feel like there are more “bad” teams this year and the protections are obviously reduced.
 

nighthob

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While the Warriors, Knicks, and Wizards are outright tanking, not many of the rest are. (We're leaving aside the Pelicants, because they're getting screwed by the Zion injury.) Heck even the Kings are starting to show that last season wasn't a fluke with some quality wins the last two weeks. Take heart. And, watch some Precious Achiuwa video. You'll feel better about a mid lottery pick then.

He reminds me a little of Jaylen, has all the physicals to be an NBA star, and is a really hard worker. In camps he's measured with a 7'2" wingspan and a 9' standing reach. He looks like he's a legit 6'8" in his bare feet (his length reach numbers are very similar to Horford's, which lead me to conclude that the height's likely similar). And if he's 6'8", with that frame he's already carrying around 225 with the ability to put on another 30 lbs without losing athleticism.

But he's definitely raw in some of the same ways as JB; weak handle, inconsistent shot due to some less than optimal mechanics (his elbow tends to drift a little on jumpers), he can put his head down on drives, etc.. On the other hand, he looks like a prototypical big wing that's athletic enough to handle the all switch all the time D. And guys with his physicals, motor, and work effort usually produce something.

You can watch video and dream of him being the next Siakam, because he has that potential, and I tend to think that Boston just has a better development environment (for forcing guys to play their way into the rotation on a playoff team) than someplace like the Knicks.
 

TripleOT

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Ja Morant has been better than advertised, 15 games in. 19 ppg, on 48/42 shooting. He's getting 5 FTs a game, and that number should rise, with his great driving ability. Efficiently generating his own offense as a rookie, only 34% of his baskets are assisted.

He's going to help kill the dream of Celtics fans that we will get a top 3 pick in 2021.
 

InstaFace

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He's going to help kill the dream of Celtics fans that we will get a top 3 pick in 2021.
Memphis traded its by-far-best player for a bag of balls (Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, Grayson Allen and the 23rd pick). Ja Morant is a rookie. The team is 5-10, and their -7.83 SRS so far (on Bk-Ref) is 2nd-worst in the West to the Warriors (who get Steph Curry back), and only Charlotte is worse so far in the East. They are not a good team, and the pick only has to be top-6 to roll over.

Even if we get the #7 or #8 next year, that's still a shit-ton of value for Jeff Green. Would I rather have an unprotected MEM in 2021, or the #7 guaranteed in 2020? Ja might make that a closer call if he really has a Luka-grade rookie season, but as of now things look pretty good.
 

TripleOT

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Memphis traded its by-far-best player for a bag of balls (Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, Grayson Allen and the 23rd pick). Ja Morant is a rookie. The team is 5-10, and their -7.83 SRS so far (on Bk-Ref) is 2nd-worst in the West to the Warriors (who get Steph Curry back), and only Charlotte is worse so far in the East. They are not a good team, and the pick only has to be top-6 to roll over.

Even if we get the #7 or #8 next year, that's still a shit-ton of value for Jeff Green. Would I rather have an unprotected MEM in 2021, or the #7 guaranteed in 2020? Ja might make that a closer call if he really has a Luka-grade rookie season, but as of now things look pretty good.
I'm ok with the 7 or 8 in the next draft. It looks like Ja is going to speed up MEM's reset.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Its SSS and eye test etc but watching Ja play in the NBA thus far, I see more of a Tatum improvement path than a Luka/Trae leap. His shot is still rough and the highlight against Howard posted upthread aside, he has struggled getting to the rim which is a big part of his game. I will be surprised if he isn't a very good to elite player given his skillset but I think its going to take him a few seasons to get there with the physicality and style of play in the NBA.

The thing we need to remind ourselves (or at least I do) is that unlike North American players, a Doncic has already faced and had success against pro level competition. Aside from his amazing talent, I think this has helped in his leap this year in terms of consistency. Someone like Trae Young (since they will always be inextricably linked) is still finding that consistency in his second pro season and we are just starting to see a player like Tatum in season three. My sense is that Morant's learning curve will follow more along those lines but that is just my guess.
 

PedrosRedGlove

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Its SSS and eye test etc but watching Ja play in the NBA thus far, I see more of a Tatum improvement path than a Luka/Trae leap. His shot is still rough and the highlight against Howard posted upthread aside, he has struggled getting to the rim which is a big part of his game. I will be surprised if he isn't a very good to elite player given his skillset but I think its going to take him a few seasons to get there with the physicality and style of play in the NBA.
Has he though? Honest question. I've only really seen highlights, but they're almost all him slashing to the rim through 3 defenders. He's taken 65% of his field goals from inside 10ft and is shooting similar percentages across the board in terms of whether a defender is close or not on those attempts.

https://stats.nba.com/player/1629630/shots-dash/
He had a few lowlight clips in the early games where he got ambitious and went for huge dunks with defenders in the area that weren't going to fly in the NBA. I think he learned his lesson.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Has he though? Honest question. I've only really seen highlights, but they're almost all him slashing to the rim through 3 defenders. He's taken 65% of his field goals from inside 10ft and is shooting similar percentages across the board in terms of whether a defender is close or not on those attempts.

https://stats.nba.com/player/1629630/shots-dash/
He had a few lowlight clips in the early games where he got ambitious and went for huge dunks with defenders in the area that weren't going to fly in the NBA. I think he learned his lesson.
Agreed that he is taking it inside at a very high level but he is only hitting ~52.7% of his shots inside 10 feet which isn't horrible but can be better. I think the Grizzlies want to see that number in the high 50% and I think he will get there. It just make take a while.

Edit: And again, as I noted in my original post, my take is mostly based on watching him and noting that the data is subject to the SSS caveat.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Ja avoids serious injury after taking a spill into a cameraman last night:

His poor landing mechanics have been talked about since last year. Very awkward.

Based on the sheer uncertainty of projecting a team (plus all of the other bad teams) two years out, I would be okay with a 7/8 pick this year. Then again, the West looks like a pretty tough cellar to climb out of. As always, the awful East is the bigger issue, even if our bottom-dwellers technically do have to pick up some wins here and there against the other bottom-dwellers.