12. Memphis Grizzlies: Offense
The Memphis Grizzlies have never really moved away from the grit and grind days of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, their current team system just doesn’t make it as easy as it once was. The Grizzlies still remain one of the top defensive teams in the league, holding their opponents to the seventh lowest field goal percentage and the sixth highest turnover per game. Memphis also found themselves in the top 10 in defensive rating.
The problems arise with the Grizzlies offense. They are in the bottom third of the league in every offensive category, including 27th in offensive rating, 23rd in field goal percentage, 25th in 3-point percentage, 19th in assists per game, and 29th in total rebounds per game. Part of the problem with this system is that the Grizzlies have shifted away from their original play-in-the-paint style and they have shifted towards a more mid-range game.
The Grizzlies are now 21st in points in the paint and 29th in two-point percentage, two statements which would have been unthinkable in the early 2000s.
Memphis is one of the few teams on the outside this year that has a legitimate shot at slipping into the playoffs next year, but they need to add some offensive firepower in the offseason.