NBA: Biggest Need For Each Western Conference Contender
By Ryan Piers
Memphis Grizzlies
Nice Surprise: Their recovery
When the Grizzlies started the year 3-6 with 19,30 and 50-point losses mixed in, I thought it was a sign of things to come. Their grind/grit style just didn’t cut it anymore. But Head Coach David Joerger, who has one of the more interesting back stories in the league, has kept this squad together. Marc Gasol also seems to be coming alive with four 15 point, 10 rebound and five assist games in December.
Needs Improvement: Three-point shooting
So I know you are going to say shooting threes is counterculture for the Grizzlies. It runs, no, sprints against their M.O. Memphis is a pound-the-rock-inside-until-it-hurts sort of team. I get it. But in today’s game (am I the only who thinks that phrase sounds so pompous?) you need three-point threats. They’re bottom five in long-ball makes per game, and second to last in attempts. As an alternative, the Grizzlies are settling for mid-range jumpers- their effective shooting percentage is 46.9, which is second to last in the NBA. All this equals a stagnate offense and a team 28th in scoring.
Next: Dallas Mavericks