jman3134 wrote:One question I have: on the Grizzlies roster on nba.com. there are 21 players, but many news sources are listing 20 players heading into training camp. Where is the inconsistency here?
I was so happy today to discover that we have both Hassan Whiteside and Earl Clark on our training camp roster. I wouldn't mind either making the team. Talented players just sitting at the end of the bench.
Nba.com has not taken Jamaal Franklin off the roster. I think all the players the Grizzlies have in training camp are works in progress, I do think the Grizzlies need to open up more roster space and get rid of Prince before they choose who on the practice squad makes the team.
Here is my list of our training camp roster and what position I have them in at potentially making the team and why.
1. Michael Beasly F , Like it or not, even with attitude problems and cold stretches being his mantra, he does fit in the Grizzlies new system much better and the grizzlies need a pure Small forward, so as long as Memphis does not use him as a stretch forward he should see a decent amount of minutes and I think could potentially become a role player for the team later in the year.
2. Luke Hancock SF, he is a pure Small forward as said before, he also adds depth to an already growing number of players on the grizzlies roster who can shoot the 3 as he was basically used as a 3 point specialist in college. He won Most valuable player in Louisville for a reason , even coming off the bench. And another thing is that he fits in a role that has him coming off the bench, he is used to his role on a team and can capitilize.
3. Patrick Christopher SG/SF , he is my favorite and potentially the best player in camp, however we already have many players that play his position in tony allen, vince carter, courtney lee, and Quincy Pondexter. I think with Joeger's background of playing with D-Leauge players he will be able to relate with Christopher and be able to help him work on his game. Memphis also gets money from its D-Leauge so, they are weakening that roster by signing him potentially. I see Christopher getting chosen if and only if Quincy Pondexter or Courtney lee are dealt, and I do not see that happening, but if Christopher can show his usefulness, it is not out of the question to sign him now and trade them out later thus why he is #3.
4. Earl Clark F, he has never been a solid player in the league , mainly because he has always been a stretch forward, however he apparently went on a diet and is also working in the weight room more than in the gym this summer, and though potentially a stretch forward, he could potentially become the rare combo forward who has the quickness and endurance to play a 3 , but the muscle and length to guard a 4 , I doubt his game has picked up much being in the weight room, but his intangibles will be the upside that lands him in 4th spot.
5. Kailin Lucas G , This guy is not a well known player, he is not a guy who puts up gaudy numbers night after night in the D-League, however, he is young, he is potentially the reason Christopher is as good as he is with his great outlet passes to him, and he is coachable. Kailin Lucas is the guy I would love to be the back-up point guard to Mike Conley as they compliment eachother very well in their style of play. Lucas however is in 5th because he plays a much faster game than the grit and grind game of memphis, he is also a guard, which we have plenty of, for him to make the squad, at the least Nick Calathes would have to be traded away or waived, which seeing Lucas skill is not out of the question, however he will be a real competitor with udrih for the backup point guard spot and Udrih says he will stay with memphis if and only if he is the first back-up. (I personally like Lucas more)
6. Hassan Whiteside, simply said, he is not going to make the squad. Physically, this guy is unreal with a 7.75 foot wingspan and just so many physical abilities, but other than that, he is not a very good player, he is a horrible fit for memphis and oh did I mention he is probably just like a guy I am sure every Memphis fan loathes we ever chose called Hasheem Thabeet? except Whiteside gets about half the amount of blocks, is 3 inches shorter and is even WORSE than Thabeet? (Is that possible

, yes, yes it is.)
That is the conclusion of my humble analysis, I do think the Grizzlies would be better if they made a few more potential changes this offseason or early in the season. This is how I see their best bet.
Sign Beasley
Trade Prince & Calathes & Koufus for Dieng & Corey Brewer
Call up Kailin Lucas from the D-League