RealGM

Guys and gals - wanted to create this thread to list and debate the potential playoff concerns surrounding our team, which is a legit contender to capture its first NBA title. The efficient basketball, swagga, and pace have captivated NBA fans across the world all season long.

But, more importantly, what are our weaknesses headed into the playoffs and how can we address any and all needs (either with free agency acquisitions, lineup considerations, or a change to player mentality)?

For me, the biggest hole is what VC addressed in the other game thread and was my reason for believing that the Grizzlies might not take a step forward this year. I was thankfully wrong - my concern was that Adams might not be able to stay on the floor and Jackson's outside-in approach would lead to a void on the glass, were Adams to get injured. Given Steven's injury history, this was logical, but assuming he stays healthy, VC brought up another worthwhile consideration: even if Adams is in the lineup, what if the other team implements a "Hack an Adams" strategy or Adams simply struggles to defend the other team's big (as we saw last night with Nurkic)? Our backup center is Xavier Tillman and while I believe he is a good developing player, he might struggle against some bigger names if utilized as our backup center in playoff action.

Potential free agent signings that could address this issue are Cody Zeller (depending on how his patellar injury heals), Arnett Moultrie overseas in China, Justin Tillman in the G League, Cauley-Stein (if his personal issues are no longer a factor), or Jahlil Okafor with a traditional big skillset ala Adams. With a guy like Moultrie or Okafor, who lack the explosive rim protecting possibilities, they would have to play alongside Jackson, whose helpside/recovery D is elite.

Or we could go with a long versatile big/wing with playoff experience, such as Al-Farouq Aminu. I would prefer this kind of an option.


Paris Bass is another long wing hybrid who has looked excellent in the G League this year and probably merits another callup.


In terms of lineup considerations with our existing players, we could move to the pace lineup with Jackson inside and maybe add Kyle Anderson to the lineup as a secondary rebounder/ball handler. I am not sure that this provides as much punch on the glass as we could use, considering how many attempts at the rim we have. But, it would be a versatile lineup capable of moving the ball down the court at a fast pace. Defensively, Jackson would have to match up against some of the elite bigs like Ayton/Embiid) potentially, which would be a learning experience.

In terms of player mentality, this goes along with the previous paragraph: Jackson would have to crash the defensive glass more frequently, which would mean being involved in more pick and roll scenarios. This could open him up for shots out of the screen and fade, which we have seen at times. It just would put more stress on him as a cleanup player vs. a go to option. Either way, this would take considerably more energy and could potentially take away from Jackson's current role as one of the NBA's premier help defenders.

Anyone else have any thoughts or insights?

I see our free throw shooting - with or without the opposition implementing a "hack-a-_________" strategy - as being the biggest problem heading into the playoffs. Pace will slow down, opposing teams will value possessions more, and we'll likely force less turnovers which is absolutely critical to our offense. If we lose points there, then we simply cannot afford to leave money on the table with subpar free throw shooting. In terms of an immediate fix, I don't know that I have one, to be fair.

I get the concern about Adams, but, when I look around the western conference, I don't see alot of juggernauts playing center. Jokic is an absolute beast and will give anyone trouble. Porzingus seemed to give us issues, but he's gone. Besides that, who's next? Ayton? I don't think he's developed and/or multi-faceted enough on the offensive end to really pose a problem at this point.

Yeah FTs have been an issue of late. And we have the potential Adams issues. I also am a bit worried about our halfcourt offense come playoffs. The amount of transition basketball we play has been a big part of our offense. The game slowing down in the playoffs will force us to play differently and I honestly don't know how that'll go especially as teams lock in and game plan for Ja. He can still get to his spots and score I bet, but not for an entire game.

I'm excited to see how the team looks with Brooks back. I've seen some people suggest Brooks coming off the bench and Ziaire continuing to start for us, and I get it, but I think we need Brooks guarding the best opposing perimeter player. I kind of think Melton will be the main one losing minutes when Brooks comes back and not Ziaire. Ja/Bane/Brooks/JJJ/Adams starts. Bane and JJJ leave quick like usual but Ziaire is the one to replace Bane instead of Melton. Brooks will be able to help Ja carry the offense as those two sit and when Ja sits you have the usual Tyus/Bane/JJJ crew to fuel the offense. Feels weird saying it, and we seem to refuse to give Melton minutes even when there is a ton of opportunity, but Melton may end up the odd man out.

Overall I don't think we do anything to address our potential holes this season. I think we try to make a run with the guys we have, see what weaknesses pop up, and then make moves this offseason to try to correct those weaknesses and balance the team.

VCfor3 wrote:Yeah FTs have been an issue of late. And we have the potential Adams issues. I also am a bit worried about our halfcourt offense come playoffs. The amount of transition basketball we play has been a big part of our offense. The game slowing down in the playoffs will force us to play differently and I honestly don't know how that'll go especially as teams lock in and game plan for Ja. He can still get to his spots and score I bet, but not for an entire game.

I'm excited to see how the team looks with Brooks back. I've seen some people suggest Brooks coming off the bench and Ziaire continuing to start for us, and I get it, but I think we need Brooks guarding the best opposing perimeter player. I kind of think Melton will be the main one losing minutes when Brooks comes back and not Ziaire. Ja/Bane/Brooks/JJJ/Adams starts. Bane and JJJ leave quick like usual but Ziaire is the one to replace Bane instead of Melton. Brooks will be able to help Ja carry the offense as those two sit and when Ja sits you have the usual Tyus/Bane/JJJ crew to fuel the offense. Feels weird saying it, and we seem to refuse to give Melton minutes even when there is a ton of opportunity, but Melton may end up the odd man out.

Overall I don't think we do anything to address our potential holes this season. I think we try to make a run with the guys we have, see what weaknesses pop up, and then make moves this offseason to try to correct those weaknesses and balance the team.

I would love to have Brooks come off the bench as the go-to option of the reserves, and then finish the game with him on the floor in place of Ziaire. I don't think Brooks would buy-in to that role and that would cause problems in the lockerroom. I'm actually very concerned about how Brooks is re-integrated into the rotation in these final 22 games as it might "rock the boat" so to speak heading into the playoffs.

3pt shooting and secondary shot creation will likely be our areas of weakness unless Brooks has another playoffs like he had last year.

psman2 wrote:3pt shooting and secondary shot creation will likely be our areas of weakness unless Brooks has another playoffs like he had last year.

I'm very interested in seeing how he does this year. Brooks is fueled by emotion and in theory is built to excel in the playoffs like he did last year. His shot selection remained suspect but he was hitting. There is definitely a real chance it was a fluke, but if Brooks is able to elevate his play come playoffs each year it would be a major boon for us. If he can't we will need a true stud wing (especially defensively) before we are real contenders.

VCfor3 wrote:

psman2 wrote:3pt shooting and secondary shot creation will likely be our areas of weakness unless Brooks has another playoffs like he had last year.

I'm very interested in seeing how he does this year. Brooks is fueled by emotion and in theory is built to excel in the playoffs like he did last year. His shot selection remained suspect but he was hitting. There is definitely a real chance it was a fluke, but if Brooks is able to elevate his play come playoffs each year it would be a major boon for us. If he can't we will need a true stud wing (especially defensively) before we are real contenders.

Yep this playoff is going to tell alot about Brooks future with the team. Last year was nice on offense in the playoffs and we needed that output to keep up in the games, but his underlying defensive stats really tanked. Now it's the playoffs against Mitchell and other good offensive wings but cannot be ignored. Hopefully we get the ideal version we have all been hoping to see from Brooks...concentrate on D and attack on offense when there is a opening with better shot selection.

If Brooks has a subpar playoffs then I think he is likely no longer seen as a core guy going forward. Not to say we look at trading him for whatever we can get, more we accept he is a flawed player that really has to be improved upon for this team to take its next step. That means maybe we draft yet another wing (if we keep the LAL pick), maybe we look at a FA that could push him, maybe he is moved into a sixth man role and see what comes of it. Maybe we do flip him for value, even with his flaws he is a valuable player due to the dearth of wings and hand the position over to Zaire/draft pick/FA.

psman2 wrote:

VCfor3 wrote:

psman2 wrote:3pt shooting and secondary shot creation will likely be our areas of weakness unless Brooks has another playoffs like he had last year.

I'm very interested in seeing how he does this year. Brooks is fueled by emotion and in theory is built to excel in the playoffs like he did last year. His shot selection remained suspect but he was hitting. There is definitely a real chance it was a fluke, but if Brooks is able to elevate his play come playoffs each year it would be a major boon for us. If he can't we will need a true stud wing (especially defensively) before we are real contenders.

Yep this playoff is going to tell alot about Brooks future with the team. Last year was nice on offense in the playoffs and we needed that output to keep up in the games, but his underlying defensive stats really tanked. Now it's the playoffs against Mitchell and other good offensive wings but cannot be ignored. Hopefully we get the ideal version we have all been hoping to see from Brooks...concentrate on D and attack on offense when there is a opening with better shot selection.

If Brooks has a subpar playoffs then I think he is likely no longer seen as a core guy going forward. Not to say we look at trading him for whatever we can get, more we accept he is a flawed player that really has to be improved upon for this team to take its next step. That means maybe we draft yet another wing (if we keep the LAL pick), maybe we look at a FA that could push him, maybe he is moved into a sixth man role and see what comes of it. Maybe we do flip him for value, even with his flaws he is a valuable player due to the dearth of wings and hand the position over to Zaire/draft pick/FA.

I hate Boston turned it around just because Brown was such an obvious perfect target for us. Would love to find a way to get one of Brown/OG/Mikal to pair with our guys but they aren't available. Miles Bridges played well for a large stretch to start this year. We could always throw him a big offer sheet and see if Charlotte matches (or do a S&T). I don't love his 3pt% though right now. I'm having a hard time finding a Brooks replacement that is both better and likely available short of us hitting on someone in the draft.

If I see a cause for concern maybe over confidence. Many naysayers from the offseason had thoughts that the Grizzlies would be in the bottom half of the playoff race after the JV/Adams draft trade. The Grizzlies have not just prove the critics wrong. The yare having a great season to this point. Keeping in mind, this is just the regular season. The playoffs is a different animal. Although this Grizzlies team has been in the playoffs twice in back to back seasons, this time is different. They are in the top three in the Western Conference. Rightfully so. They are competing with a three time champion in the Warriors. A second place finalist in the Suns from the 2021 NBA Finals. The Suns, just like the Grizzlies are hungry for contendership and a shot to the Finals.

Essentially, don't let the confidence translate to cockiness to the point where unneccessary mistakes get made to where a playoff exit can take place. Maintain that energy that has guide them this far. Keep the confidence in each other. Make the right plays on both ends. Have fun out there and make the best of it.

We can part with some of our two ways and reshuffle imo. Stauskas is going to be given a chance by someone - why not us? To help address the 3pt concerns especially if Brooks isn't 100%.