Grizzlies in Search of Depth

[SD2042]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... -of-depth/

Veteran NBA guard Michael Dickerson, who retired from the Griz in 2003 due to injury, and former University of Memphis guard Darius Washington are expected to be among the more 20 participants in the Grizzlies' free-agent camp that starts today and runs through Wednesday.

Iowa Energy guard Othyus Jeffers, the NBA Developmental League Rookie of the Year, is another intriguing prospect the Griz invited to the two-a-day sessions.

Wallace said the camp is the first step in identifying talent to immediately improve the Grizzlies' bench.

"We've got to upgrade our bench," Wallace said. "We've got to get more firepower. There's no question about that. We're also going to look at other NBA teams and be very involved in the draft, and trading. Right now, we're looking forward to seeing if any of these guys can emerge. We've got a good group coming in."

Initially, all eyes will be on Dickerson and Washington.


It's well said and good about giving Mike D and D-Wash a chance to see what they have on the court. With Mike D, it's safe to say he's lost some steps due to his injury and absence from the NBA. How reliable will he be during a 82 game season? As for D-Wash, I doubt his chances to catchin on with the Grizzlies. He's more of a shoot first pass second type of player. The Grizz need a more balance PG who plays solid on both ends of the floor. D-Wash is not that player.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I see this stage of workouts as the "so who are we going to invite to camp" stages. The extra guys needed to fully run drills/5on5's against the guys who will really have a shot at making the club.

Add the obligatory "lightning in a bottle" quote wherever appropriate

[Downtown]

You know I've said quite a bit about the Grizzlies need for bench depth. But this isn't what I had in mind. I can agree if it's depth to fill in the the bottom two roster spots as this would be beating the other teams to the punch who assess these type of low tier players during summer league play. But in terms of real talent that might make it into the top eight or nine as far as rotations go, ugh ugh.

But if it doesn't cost much to put this thing on then why the heck not see if there is a hidden gem. But honestly, what are the odds that they can get someone who will be better than Darius Miles, who occupied a spot for the minimum this season and played maybe 3 -5 minutes a game?

And there should be low rung bench players available through the draft that could have some upside such as Danny Green(a Raja Bell type sixth man), Jarvis Varnado( a Keon Clark clone), plus a few of the solid pointguards just to name a few.

I have to say that I'm a big Michael Dickerson fan from his Vancouver days, where I would get free tickets from him( a friend of mine's uncle helped out the Dickerson family when they were struggling financially in Seattle during his highschool days so we got to hang out a bit with him, with my friend going on a roadtrip through Texas with Dickerson's sister and the team). But he has made a good life for himself with some good real estate investments here in the Pacific Northwest and is quite comfortable with the insurance company paying his $42mil contract because of his terrible injury. I really don't know why he would even want to try a comeback other than he has that itch that says I wonder if I still can play?

[It_Was_Typed]

Hope the Grizzlies can re-sign Quinton Ross and some veterans to help guide the youngsters.

[SD2042]

I doubt Quinton Ross will be back with the Grizz come the next NBA season. He would be better suited for a playoff team that needs his defensiveskills to guard against an opponent's best player or a sixth man like Ben Gordon for example.

[boogiesdad]

DWash has some upside, if he can display some leadership.

Dickerson would be a great story.

[dark-child]

This was one of the scariest developments from the organization since the Pau trade. When I first read the list of invitees I was floored that help was being sought from this cast of misfits. We need meaningful change this off season and if help is being sought this way it does not bode well for the rest of the summer. Why are we wasting time trying to find the next T. Kinsey or Quinton Ross? We need quality on the bench that will push the starters for minutes not people we question if they should be in the league. We have 3 draft picks none of which should start unless we get Blake Griffin, so that is three bench players to go along with Darko, double H, and Marko. The only way this makes sense is if the organization is once again attempting to do things on the cheap because none of these guys should ever see the floor. So why are we having a camp for guys who will not play? If you needed to see them invite them to summer league. We need real change and not more of the same.