Address Issues and Changes

[SD2042]

So far since Zach Randolph's absence in 8 games, the Grizzlies have gone 3-5 in their last eight. Although Z-Bo isn't known for his man to man defense always, his absence has been felt on the offensive end(16.1PPG) of the ball and on the boards(11.4RPG). Since Jon Leuer inception into the lineup, his numbers moved up slightly averaging 6.9PPG and 4.2RPG in those spurts. From my view, Leuer is a situational player and has shown some effectiveness in limited minutes, but as a starter, the Grizzlies are missing that aggressive catalyst type of player that Z-Bo brings to the table.

Athleticism is the biggest issue the Grizzlies continue to endure. The Grizzlies are not an up-tempo team that run up and down the floor on the nightly basis. James Johnson for his worth was a player who offer the Grizzlies athleticism on the floor. Someone who can get a team quick points in transition and solid defense on the floor. Perimeter shooting and players coming back from injury reduced his role on the team and his inevitable exit from the team. The Grizzlies could still use some athleticism on the floor to counteract other teams who give the Grizzlies problems with their up-tempo style like Charlotte, Philly, Denver, and etc.

The Grizzlies are sitting at 24-9 right now. That's a great start for the franchise. If they desire to go all the way, they will need to make changes Obviously at SF and now for backup PF for someone who can be reliable on both ends of the floor. Dallas and Houston have made some changes to keep up the fight in the race for the playoffs. I'm sure the Grizzlies are looking at some moves to make by next month's trade deadline. Especially given how competitive the Western Conference can be.

[Zordor]

I think we need to try to get Dalembert as a FA once he clears waivers and look to move Koufos for a solid young 4 stretch 5 option, guys I would love to add would be someone like Kanter, Olynyk, Sullinger, Terrance Jones, either of the Zellers , or Hawes all of them have longer termed contracts and are young and seemingly good players, some lack some defense, but I think all of these players we can trade for (even if it is a 3 team trade). Guys like Thad Young and Jeff Green are both good, but they present the problem of not being able to defend 4s and 5s (not that olynyk is much better, but he has size) and they cost a bit much when we need to resign Gasol. I think that is our major concern despite what people say about needing wings, we have a solid wing rotation, Prince is carrying his weight and carter/allen/lee are all solid, I think we need to focus on in this order:
1. a solid young 4 who is a clear upgrade over Leur
2 sign Dalembert
3 move koufos (probably in the trade of #1)
4 get a wing who can start, playing a similar role to Prince and sort of like Dunleavy (big wing 3-D guy), but who is better, which allows Lee and Carter and Udrih to come off the bench making for a solid 2nd unit
5 move Pondexter (probably should just let him sit this year and worry about moving him next year)

My personal opinion is Leur has grown on me but we need a solid upgrade on him and so many will disagree with me, but we need to move Leur and Koufos in a trade to get a solid upgrade and Leur is on a good deal making him a good asset for plenty of teams, then we give stokes some minutes, sign Dalembert , and have our upgrade take a good chunk of minutes left by Leur and Koufos (25 ish) this will help us both while Z-bo is out and if he has to go out again, and in the future for when Z-Bo finally retires

[SD2042]

Out of your list of centers, maybe a shot at Tyler Zeller? The other guys are more inclined to the offensive side than the defensive side of the ball. Likely to conflict with the mantra of the Grizzlies.

As for SFs, if the grizzlies can get two of them, it would help out a lot towards both ends of the floor. With that said, my list I would like for the squad:

Jeff Green
Moe Harkless
Jared Dudley
Khris Middleton


PFs to pursue

Brandon Bass
Brandon Wright
Jordan Hill
Jonas Jerebko
Andrew Nicholson
Glen Davis

Cs' to pursue as 3rd backup options

Sam Dalembert or talent from D-League

[Birth of the Cool]

Leuer has been awful as a starter. He can't guard anyone without fouling, can't make open jumpshots, & plays scared. Most of all, it reminds you how much of a force Randolph is on the glass and how much the team misses his rebounding (esp. on offensive glass).

I knew Carter made a HUGE mistake leaving the Mavericks. There he had a Coach that understood how to use him. Here he's the 8th man, his minutes game to game vary, the bigs really are more pick & pop then pick & roll (even Gasol's rolls have him taking Conley's passes in the middle of the pain then under the rim), he doesn't have a well defined roll other than being the last second/clutch shot attempt guy. In Dallas he had the right Coach, well defined role & minutes, Bigs that are more suited to his PnR game, etc. He's just not a good fit here and Grizzlies would not be in error to look to dump him somewhere else for youth. He'll flourish on a team that needs him as a 6th man and gives him normal minutes/defined role - an old vet like him won't adjust well to coming in here & there one game to another.

Memphis badly needs first and foremost a legit contending backup 4. Leueur just doesn't cut it and Koufus should only be a 5. Stokes needs time to develop but this team is in win now mode so if you have to dump some young talent to entice a trade for a backup 4 you gotta do it. After that a backup swingman who can play the 2 or 3 is the next big need.

Cleary with Randolph back these problems may not even be an issue but even when they were winning the Grizzlies weren't really showing their class. Luckily they have a pretty good buffer to withstand this dip in the season but Gasol looks like a completely different player when he doesn't have his Frontcourt brother in Randolph there with him. It seems Conley is the only one that plays with no fear, and ok maybe Allen too but Allen just doesn't know any better lol.