Do the Memphis Grizzlies have a diamond in the rough in Jahmai Mashack?

 

                                             Credit: Memphis Grizzlies/X (Twitter) 

The 59th overall pick in this year's NBA draft was Jahmai Mashack (6'3", 205 pounds), who was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies. During his four years at Tennessee, Mashack averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. As a senior, he averaged 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 45.4% shooting from the field, 35.1% shooting from 3-point range, and 72.3% shooting from the foul line. Mashack was more of a role player/defensive specialist for the Volunteers, really making an impact with his physicality. While he has some upside on offense, it's really his defense that is his calling card and reason for why he was drafted. 

I remember when Mashack was in high school as I was covering Cal men's basketball at the time for Rivals (I now cover Stanford for On3 | Rivals). Mashack was a 4-star recruit, standing out for all the reasons the Grizzlies drafted him. He could get after it on both ends of the floor, playing with a high motor. He was a gritty defender back then and has only honed his craft even further, earning him a chance to get drafted by the Grizzlies. 

Why Mark Fox (Cal's head coach at the time) slow played Mashack on the recruiting trail continues to puzzle me to this day. Especially since his mom is a Cal alum and Cal at the time was in desperate need of talent. But that's a story for a different day. What matters is Mashack proved Fox wrong and found his way to the NBA. 

Looking ahead to his chances in the NBA, Mashack's defensive abilities are reason for the Grizzlies to be excited about him. He has all the tools on that end and in many ways, that's the harder thing to teach. You can teach guys how to improve their jump shot and get their scoring numbers up. While you can do the same for defense, I feel like it's harder to get guys to raise their game on the defensive side. If Mashack can improve his shot and ball handling, he has all the tools and potential to be an excellent two-way player cut out of the same cloth as former Grizzlies great Tony Allen (a.k.a. The Grindfather). 

In the late stages of the NBA draft, you want to get guys who you think have the chance to be developed into something and Jahmai Mashack is definitely a guy who has that potential. He's a hard working player who doesn't take anything for granted. I look forward to seeing how Mashack grows in the Grizzlies organization and whether or not he can end up being one of the steals of the 2025 NBA Draft. 

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Mock Draft Monday: Ja Morant cleared for Memphis Grizzlies training camp

                                          (Credit: Getty Images) 

Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports reports that Memphis Grizzlies rookie point guard Ja Morant is cleared to participate in training camp following surgery on his knee. Given how vital Morant is to the Grizzlies' future, it's great news for them to have him start the season on time as opposed to having to miss training camp and possibly part of his rookie season.

Per Chris Haynes, #Grizzlies PG Ja Morant has recovered from his right knee procedure and will fully participate in training camp. #NBA

— NBA Lord (@nba_lord) October 1, 2019

Morant is not only making the jump from college to the NBA, he's making the jump from mid-major college basketball to the NBA. At Murray State, he was dominant and was always the best player on the floor. This will be the first time since his high school AAU days that he won't be the best player on the floor every night. It will be interesting to see how that adjustment goes for him.

By no means am I doubting Morant's future. I like his game a lot. He's an explosive athlete, finishes really well around the rim, knows how to make plays, and has the mentality to lead an NBA team. I'm just curious to see how his rookie campaign goes and whether or not he can threaten to win rookie of the year honors. Everyone seems to think that award will go to Zion Williamson, but perhaps Morant will make a strong case for himself.

As we look ahead to the 2019-20 NBA season, Ja Morant is definitely a name to keep a close eye on. He's got a lot of potential and a lot to prove as the #2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. The Grizzlies need someone to energize their franchise and hopefully for them Morant will deliver the goods.

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Mock Draft Monday: Despite his minor knee surgery, the Memphis Grizzlies should still take Ja Morant

                                         (Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports) 


Over the weekend, news broke about the minor arthroscopic knee operation that Murray State point guard Ja Morant will undergo to remove loose bodies in his right knee. An operation that is expected to keep him out 3-4 weeks. It's called "minor" surgery for a reason and yet people have already started saying that Morant may no longer go #2 overall to the Memphis Grizzlies as a result.

Let me be really clear about something: The Grizzlies would be really stupid to not draft Morant because of his surgery. If you follow the NBA and basketball as a whole, you know that minor arthroscopic knee operations happen all the time. It's routine surgery and something that just about every basketball player will have at some point. It's hardly anything to be alarmed about. If Morant tore an ACL or something of that nature, that would be wholly different, but minor arthroscopic knee surgery is nothing to even get remotely concerned about.

Now, if the Grizzlies genuinely think R.J. Barrett or DeAndre Hunter are better fits for their team, then they should take one of them, but if they believe Morant is the best available prospect for their team, they should take him and not even think about his knee surgery. It's just not that big of a deal.

Morant pushes the ball in transition, knows how to create for others, and has done a really good job of improving his jump shot (30.7% from 3-point range as a freshman; 36.3% as a sophomore). His 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game are reminiscent of John Wall, who when healthy is one of the top point guards in the league.

With Mike Conley aging, the Grizzlies need a new point guard to lead them, making Morant a great fit for them. They could also have him learn behind Conley for a year or two before he takes over the reigns. It would be a perfect situation.

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NBALord.com Southwest Division Preview

Up next in my division previews is the Southwest Division, home to the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, and New Orleans Pelicans. This division once again projects to be highly competitive and very interesting. 

The Houston Rockets were a healthy Chris Paul hamstring away from reaching the NBA Finals last year and will look to finish the job this year. The addition of Carmelo Anthony is aimed at giving them more offensive potency off the bench and another veteran in the locker room. Anthony will be coming off the bench for the first time in his career and will have to adjust to this new role. 

Another key piece on this Rockets team is big man Clint Capela, who is one the most talented big men in the league. He runs the floor extremely well and is becoming a pretty versatile player, capable of scoring, rebounding, and blocking shots. With him anchoring the middle, the Rockets have one of the better front courts in the NBA. 

While Anthony and Capela will have big roles on this team, the success of the Rockets ultimately hinges on the success of James Harden and Chris Paul. When healthy, these two guys form one of the most dangerous backcourt in the NBA, capable of putting up points and making plays for others. When they're not at full strength, this team suddenly becomes very beatable. 

The key thing for Mike D'Antoni to do this year is to manage his minutes effectively and keep Paul and Harden as rested as possible for the playoffs. That won't be easy, but it's essential that he finds a way to keep these guys fresh. If he's able to do that, these guys just might reach the NBA Finals. 

It's a new era in San Antonio. Manu Ginobili has retired, Tony Parker is now with the Charlotte Hornets, and Kawhi Leonard is now a member of the Toronto Raptors. Despite these changes, the Spurs have a very talented team led by DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Rudy Gay. 

Of course the main guy to watch this year is DeRozan since he is the main new face on this team. Coming up short in the playoffs dogged him during his entire time in Toronto, so he'll be eager to show that same reputation won't follow him in San Antonio. 

I don't see the Spurs coming out of the Western Conference this year or anything along those lines, but I do expect them to make the playoffs and compete to win an opening round series. What really hurt this team last year was the drama surrounding Kawhi Leonard. With that now behind them, these guys can get back to focusing on playing Spurs basketball. I expect this renewed focus to do them a lot of good and make them a sneaky good team. 

The New Orleans Pelicans are led by double-double machine Anthony Davis, who is arguably the best player in the NBA. His 32 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 blocks in their opening night win over the Rockets speaks for itself. When you have a guy like Davis on your team, you are automatically going to be a tough team to beat every night you step on the floor. 

In addition to Davis, the Pelicans have some other talented pieces in Nikola Mirotic, Jrue Holiday, and Elfrid Payton. Holiday and Payton form a really dynamic backcourt while Mirotic is one of the better stretch forwards in the game. They're starting to put together a talented core around Davis and that should put the rest of the Western Conference on notice. 

Like every team, health will play a big factor in the success of this team. If they are able to remain relatively injury free and develop some cohesion, they should be another team vying for a playoff spot. 

With Dirk Nowitzki in the twilight years of his career, it is a new era in Dallas led by Dennis Smith, Jr., DeAndre Jordan, and rookie sensation Luka Doncic. 

Doncic will be the one to really watch on this team. There was talk of him possibly going #1 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and many feel he's got the chance to be really special due to his unique blend of size, shooting, and play making. While I think Deandre Ayton will win rookie of the year, Doncic should put himself in the conversation. 

If there's one other guy to really focus on, it would be DeAndre Jordan, who is looking for a fresh start after spending a decade with the Los Angeles Clippers. For the first time in his career, Jordan is expected to be the top dog on an NBA team, which puts more pressure on him than ever before. I expect Jordan to have a solid season with the Mavericks, but he's not enough to make these guys competitive. 

It will be a long season in Dallas, but hopefully one where they are able to develop their young talent and start to build an identity. The future could be bright for this team, but we are at least a couple of years away from finding out what they really have. 

The Memphis Grizzlies still have their one-two punch of Mike Conley, Jr. and Marc Gasol and they added a really talented rookie power forward in Jaren Jackson, Jr. out of Michigan State. It's a bit of rebuilding situation in Memphis, but the hope is they'll be back to playoff form sooner rather than later. 

Conley is coming back from a left Achilles injury and might take a little while to get back to full strength. So long as he's not 100 percent, it will be hard for this Grizzlies team to be competitive. As good as Marc Gasol is, he can't shoulder the load all on his own. 

If the Grizzlies are going to have any success this year, they're really going to need major production from their first round pick Jaren Jackson, Jr. There are high hopes for him and with a really young roster, the opportunity for a lot of minutes are there to take advantage of. If he can have a big rookie year, the Grizzlies could exceed expectations. 

Similar to the Mavericks, this will be a year for the Grizzlies to really focus on cultivating their young talent and figuring out who they want to be a part of their franchise for the long-term future. One such example is Ivan Rabb, who got some minutes for them in the front court last year and showed some promise. If they can get a feel for Rabb's future along with their other young players, the Grizzlies will have a productive season regardless of their record. 

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NBALord.com Podcast: Breaking down the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs

On this week's episode of the NBALord.com podcast, I break down the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs up until this point. I especially focus on the series' that are tied 2-2 (Celtics-Bulls, Raptors-Bucks, Spurs-Grizzlies, and Clippers-Jazz). 

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Saturday Slam: The Memphis Grizzlies won't go down without a fight

On Saturday night, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the San Antonio Spurs 110-108 in overtime to even the series at 2-2. Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley and Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard dueled it out down the stretch and in the end, it was Grizzlies center Marc Gasol who hit the game winning shot, leaving the Spurs with just .7 seconds on the clock to go the length of the floor.

Mike Conley finished with 35 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists while Kawhi Leonard finished with 43 points and 8 rebounds. Both guys played an amazing game and left it all out there on the floor. It was definitely the best game of the playoffs so far.

This win by the Grizzlies encompasses what they are all about, which is playing hard and never quitting. The Grizzlies could have easily packed this one in and given up considering the brilliant play of Kawhi Leonard. Instead, Mike Conley lived up to his record-breaking contract and delivered the goods down the stretch, hitting multiple clutch floaters in the lane and doing everything he could to get his team the win.

In my series preview, I picked the Spurs to win in six games and I stand by that pick. The Spurs are the more talented team and in the end, that is what I think will make the difference. That said, the Grizzlies are showing a lot of fight in this series and certainly have a great chance to take the Spurs to a Game 7.

At that point, anything can happen. Mike Conley is proving his worth and he's getting good support from the likes of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and JaMychal Green. Andrew Harrison stepped up with a key block from behind down the stretch, so the Grizzlies really are making winning plays on both ends of the floor.

You don't have to be a Grizzlies fan to respect them. They play hard, they don't give up, and they play as a team. They aren't flashy but what they do works. They only care about winning games and they don't care how ugly they need to play to get the win. Tonight, they made winning plays down the stretch and didn't back down. Whether or not the Grizzlies actually come out on top in this series remains to be seen, but what is certain is that they won't go down without a fight.

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Western Conference Playoffs Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

In the first round of the Western Conference playoffs, the #2 seeded San Antonio Spurs (61-21) will take on the #7 seeded Memphis Grizzlies (43-39). The regular season series is split at 2-2. Game 1 will tip off on Saturday at 8:00 PM EST on ESPN.

Despite the huge gap in records, this series could be a lot more competitive than expected. While the Spurs are a true championship contender with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge at the helm, it isn't like the Grizzlies are chopped liver. They have plenty of playoff experience and have a very solid trio consisting of Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies are dangerous and certainly have the pieces to give the Spurs a good scare.

If you listen to the podcast that accompanies this preview, you would know that one of the things talked about is how the Grizzlies have been jinxed by injuries over the years. Shortly after recording the podcast, news broke that Tony Allen is out indefinitely due to a muscle strain in his right leg and isn't expected to play in the series. Without Tony Allen, the Grizzlies lose their best perimeter defender and the heart and soul of their defensive identity. His absence is huge and makes things a lot tougher for the Grizzlies to win this series.

The Spurs on the flip side are at full strength, which gives them a huge advantage in this series. Without Tony Allen in their grill, guys like Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green, and Tony Parker should have a much easier time scoring from the perimeter and attacking the rim off the dribble. Look for the Spurs to take full advantage of Allen's absence in this series.

While it is true that the absence of Tony Allen puts the Grizzlies behind the eight ball, it isn't like the Grizzlies can't win this series. They can. We've seen them win playoff games on the road before and thrive in the underdog role. If the Grizzlies want to win this series, they'll need to get stellar production from the Conley, Randolph, Gasol trio and really muck up the game with their grit and grind style. If they can slow the pace down and limit the amount of possessions on both sides, they'll give themselves a shot at winning this series.

As far as the Spurs are concerned, what they need to do is take advantage of the fact that they have the best player in this series in Kawhi Leonard. Leonard is averaging 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He's perhaps the best two-way player in the NBA and is a legitimate MVP candidate. If Leonard has a big series, the Grizzlies are toast. It's that simple. The Grizzlies have to do all they can to slow him down and force the Spurs to rely more on their other guys.

In addition to Leonard, the Spurs also have LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and other weapons. The Spurs are the much deeper team, so it isn't like slowing Leonard guarantees a win for the Grizzlies. The Spurs should be able to overwhelm the Grizzlies with their plethora of options to the point that if Leonard has an off night, they'll still win.

When it comes to making a prediction for this series, I said in the podcast that the Spurs will win the series in six games and even with Tony Allen out, I'll stand by that prediction. The Spurs do have more weapons, but the Grizzlies' trio of Conley, Randolph, and Gasol should be able to extend this series to a Game 6. The Spurs will come out on top because they have more weapons, but the Grizzlies won't make it easy.





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Fadeaway Friday: Memphis Grizzlies to operate expansion D-League franchise

Starting in the 2017-18 season, the Memphis Grizzlies will operate their own D-League team in Southaven, Mississippi, expanding the NBA's Developmental League to 23 teams, 19 of which will be owned by a single NBA team. The news was revealed shortly after it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves officially purchased the Iowa Energy, the same team that the Grizzlies have been affiliated with during the past few seasons.

The NBA continues to progress towards its goal of having 30 D-League teams with each NBA franchise having its own D-League affiliate. Should the NBA expand to 32 teams like many expect, that will mean the D-League will likewise expand to 32 teams. The reason the NBA wants each NBA franchise to have its own D-League team is so that the NBA can do a better job of developing its players and give guys more chances to develop and grow. There are many players in NBA history who would have tremendously benefited from the D-League and so it is great to know that there will be many careers improved and possibly saved thanks to the D-League.

In addition to improving careers and the quality of play, I think another reason for this expansion has to do with giving more communities a taste of NBA basketball. Mississippi for example will never have an NBA franchise, but thanks to the D-League, they will be able to enjoy watching professional basketball up close. By having 30 D-League franchises, the NBA will have in effect doubled the number of communities it is directly involved with, which helps grow the popularity of the league across the country.

It will be interesting to see how much longer it takes before each NBA team has its own D-League team. I think in 10 years, we will see 30 D-League teams affiliated with 30 NBA teams. If anything, we very well may see 32 D-League teams affiliated with 32 NBA teams. The NBA is certainly growing and continuing to establish itself as the preeminent professional sports league in world. Not only are they doing a great job of growing their brand, but they are also doing a great job at improving the quality of their brand. By investing in a developmental league, the NBA in turn is investing in the overall quality of play at the NBA level, something that benefits all involved whether it be the owners, players, or fans.

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Tomahawk Tuesday: The Memphis Grizzlies are poised to do some damage

As always, the Memphis Grizzlies are grinding away in the background, doing what they do best, which is score little and have their opponents score less. The Grizzlies hold a solid 18-11 record, having won 7 of their last 10 games while scoring only 96.4 points per game, which ranks 29th in the NBA. As one would have to expect, the Grizzlies are really excelling in opponents points per game, holding opponents to 96.7 points per game, which is second best in the NBA. Ironically, the Grizzlies actually average fewer points per game than their opponents, but somehow have a winning record. It's a weird statistical fact that just underscores what Grizzly basketball is all about: Placing a premium on stellar defense and essentially ignoring offense all together.

While the Grizzlies are probably ranking lower in points per game than they would prefer, it doesn't appear to be affecting them too much when looking at their record. Marc Gasol (19.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game) and Mike Conley (18.3 points and 5.6 assists per game) are both playing very good basketball while Zach Randolph is still getting it done inside averaging 13.3 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.  Despite not making much changes to their grit and grind roster, the Grizzlies are once again looking like a team that could do damage in the playoffs if given the right opportunity.

While it is true that the Memphis Grizzlies often don't do much beyond winning a first round playoff series, I would like to put forth some reasons for why this year could be different.

First, the Grizzlies are defending at a very high level. I've already mentioned how they are #2 in opponents points per game and to go along with that, they are #2 in opponent field goal percentage (43.0%) and #11 in the NBA in rebounds per game (44.5).  Their defense is stellar.

Second, the Grizzlies have a lot of experience with their core trio of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph. This is not the first rodeo for this Grizzlies team. They'e been through a lot together and they are all too aware of their playoff shortcomings in the past. With that in mind, they've learned a lot from those shortcomings and are a much more seasoned team than they were a couple of years ago.

Third, if given the right circumstances, the Grizzlies could shock the world. A lot of the NBA playoffs come down to matchups and staying healthy. The Grizzlies have had some bad luck with the injury bug over the years and have failed to be at full strength in the playoffs. If they are able to keep their key guys healthy and go against a couple of teams that are banged up and not at full strength, the Grizzlies could easily take advantage due to their physical brand of basketball.

While it's unlikely that the Memphis Grizzlies get past the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs if they are at full strength, they could get past those teams should they lose some key players to injury. Injuries always play a major role in the NBA playoffs and if the Grizzlies navigate the injury waters better than any other team in the NBA, they could see themselves playing in the Western Conference Finals or even NBA Finals.

The bottom line when it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies is that they are still a very dangerous team with Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen as their core four guys. They defend at a high level, control the glass, and play a brand of basketball that nobody likes to play. Given the right conditions and opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies could make some noise this season and emerge as a serious contender in the Western Conference.

Tomahawk Tuesday is a weekly post that focuses on the Western Conference. 

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Saturday Slam: Should NBA championship teams boycott trips to the White House during the Trump administration?

Credit: Gage Skidmore. Click here for source. 

     Earlier this week, the Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks, and Memphis Grizzlies all made the decision to not stay in Trump Hotels when their teams play against the Knicks and the Nets in New York.  This is a great way for these teams to protest against the Trump Administration since it is peaceful and powerful at the same time. With the NBA being such a progressive league that stands up for the rights of the LGBTQ community and stands up against any form of discrimination, one has to wonder whether or not NBA championship teams will visit the White House during a Trump administration. 

     The NBA has done a great job at using its global platform to raise awareness about environmental issues, health issues, and also issues surrounding equality and discrimination. With that in mind, the NBA would really send a message if their championship teams elected to not visit the White House during their visit(s) to DC to take on the Washington Wizards. 

     For those of you who may not understand the gravity of an NBA boycott of the White House, what needs to be understood is that as far back as I can remember, NBA championship teams have made it a tradition to visit the White House the following season. They've always made it a priority to visit the White House and give the president a jersey with his name on it. The president makes a few jokes, the players make a few jokes, they embrace, they have a good time, etc. But with the NBA being such a diverse league with players from all racial makeups, nationalities, and backgrounds, I'm not sure it's possible for NBA championship teams to have a "good time" when visiting Trump in the White House. 

     Going a step further, what message could it send to the fan base of a respective team to see Trump's name on the back of their team's jersey? Might it offend them? Might it not make them want to come to the games? Might it hurt the fan base? 

     The answer to these difficult questions is that it could and perhaps therein lies the answer. The NBA is about making all of its fans feel safe and comfortable coming to the games. If seeing their favorite players shake hands with Donald Trump makes fans feel uncomfortable or angry, maybe it is just best for NBA championship teams to skip visits to the White House during Donald Trump's administration. 

     By not visiting the White House during a Trump administration, NBA players would be sending a strong message of solidarity to their fans that are African-American, Latino, Muslim, LGBTQ, etc. I think it would let them know that they don't stand for what this administration stands for and that they themselves are not going to be idle in letting the administration set forth racist, xenophobic, islamophobic, homophobic, and anti-environment policies. NBA fans really look up to their favorite players and by boycotting trips to the White House during a Trump administration, NBA fans would see their favorite players as guys who have their back and care about making sure they don't get left behind. 

Tomahawk Tuesday: The Memphis Grizzlies are finally spending some money

     Like most small market franchises, the Memphis Grizzlies have not been ones to go out and spend tons of money. Over the years they've been pretty conservative with their spending, which for the most part has been a good thing since they haven't made any really bad decisions. However, with the NBA salary cap expanding to over $94M, the Memphis Grizzlies have decided to live a little and throw around some money, giving Mike Conley a 5 year, $152.6M contract and Chandler Parsons a 4 year, $94.4M contract.
   
     Mike Conley's contract is the most lucrative deal in NBA history and Chandler Parsons' contract, while not nearly as big, is still costing the Grizzlies more than $23M per season. The big question down on Beale Street is whether or not this kind of spending will pay off for the Grizzlies and result in an NBA championship. The Grizzlies have been to the playoffs six years in a row, but each time have fallen short of the ultimate prize. They are hoping that by retaining Mike Conley and adding Chandler Parsons into the fold, they may finally have the recipe for championship success.
   
     At the end of the day, the Memphis Grizzlies did the right thing with both Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons. While I do believe they overpaid for Mike Conley a little bit, he is still a young player at 28 years of age. He is just starting to enter his prime and every NBA contender needs a quality floor general. While his 15.3 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game don't exactly jump out at you, they are still very solid numbers and indicative that Conley knows how to run an offense.
   
      As for Chandler Parsons, it's a similar situation. He's only 27 years old and just entering his prime. While his 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game also don't grab your attention, his 41.4% shooting from 3-point range does, especially since the Grizzlies have been in sore need of somebody who can stroke it from beyond the arc.

     Whether or not these moves will result in an NBA championship on Beale Street remains to be seen and quite honestly, I don't think that they will. But, what is important is that both of these moves keep the Memphis Grizzlies in the mix and relevant. With Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph, the Grizzlies have a team that is capable of doing some serious damage in the playoffs and given the right breaks, a trip to the NBA Finals. Considering how tough the Western Conference is, that's as good of a position to be in as you could ask for.

Western Conference Playoffs Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies

                                   (2) San Antonio Spurs (67-15) vs. (7) Memphis Grizzlies (42-40)

     Normally, the Memphis Grizzlies would be viewed as dangerous matchup for the San Antonio Spurs, but this time around this is not the case. The Spurs are on cruise control with only the Golden State Warriors giving them problems. As for the Grizzlies, they are beyond banged up. They are without Mike Conley, Brandan Wright, Marc Gasol, and Jordan Adams for the season due to an assortment of injuries.

     Plus, Tony Allen, who is the heart and soul of their team, is questionable for Game 1 due to a hamstring injury, which has been an issue for him in previous playoff series'. The Grizzlies have a lot to overcome and then when you put them up against a team like the Spurs, they virtually have no shot at getting out of the first round.

      What makes the Spurs so dangerous is that they have two emerging superstars in LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard to go along with a veteran supporting cast composed of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and David West. The Spurs have all the pieces necessary to win the 2016 NBA championship. They have the talent, the experience, the youth, and the depth. They have it all.

      The Grizzlies on the other hand at best are a team capable of giving elite teams like the Spurs and Warriors trouble, but nothing more than that. Their philosophy of winning basketball games by defense alone is admirable but not realistic. They are the anti-Nellyball, which is refreshing considering that most teams are looking for ways to score as many points as possible. The Grizzlies pride themselves on how many games they can win without cracking 90 points, which sounds weird, but it's the truth. They want to freeze the tempo and force teams to survive their brutal and physical play.

     If the Grizzlies were at full strength, I would give them a puncher's chance of making this series interesting since I have tremendous respect for Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley as a trio. Plus, I used to cover the Memphis Grizzlies for FanSided, so I have a soft spot for them in my heart. But with Zach Randolph being the only guy in that trio that is actually playing in this series, I give the Grizzlies no chance at wining this series. They might get a game in the Memphis, but that's the best-case scenario that I see for the Grizzlies.

     Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, who both are averaging 18+ points per game, will step up big and ensure that their older players get the rest they need. The Spurs will win this series in four games and the Grizzlies will be sent home packing with another season filled with "what ifs" and "what could have beens" had they not exploded due to injuries. It'll be a long offseason in Memphis and the Spurs will make it come as quickly as possible.


     Note: Game 1 of this series is Sunday at 8:00 PM EST on TNT

Saturday Slam: Will Lance Stephenson ever find a permanent home?

     After leveraging a breakout season with the Indiana Pacers into a three-year, $27M contract with the Charlotte Hornets in the summer of 2014, Lance Stephenson is now playing for his third team in less than two seasons. He was deemed a distraction while with the Hornets and evidently was creating problems for the Los Angeles Clippers, who just traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jeff Green.
   
     We all knew that Lance Stephenson was somewhat of a head case back when he was with the Pacers. I think him blowing into the ear of LeBron James confirmed that to us, but even amid those silly antics, we still thought of him as a talented head case who could make an impact on any team in the NBA due to his size, defense, and ability to slash to the rim.

     However, the numbers say otherwise. After averaging 13.8 points per game in the 2013-14 season with the Pacers, his scoring averaged dipped to 8.2 points per game with the Hornets last season, and 4.7 points per game with the Clippers this season before being shipped off to Memphis. Interestingly enough, his per 36 minutes numbers haven't dipped that much (14.1 points per game to 10.8 points per game), but what has dipped significantly has been his time on the court (35.3 minutes per game with the Pacers in 2013-14 to 15.8 minutes per game with the Clippers this season).

     What this seems to indicate is that the Indiana Pacers knew how to utilize his talents in ways that no other team has been able to figure out. In Indiana, he was the benefactor of a system that utilized his talents and to his credit, he was good for their system as well. He was a very good player for the Pacers and absolutely deserved all the positive attention that he was getting. Sadly, it now appears likely that he won't ever find that same level of success in a different city. Indiana was great for him and he was great for Indiana.

     So, with that all likely being true, does this mean that Lance Stephenson's only path to success is returning to the Pacers? The answer is maybe and ironically, he'd probably have to return at a discount rate due to his recent struggles. What hasn't helped him is that certainly in Charlotte and even in Los Angeles, he was expected to be a star player who could take over games and help his team make serious noise in the playoffs. It's entirely possible that what he was in Indiana, which was a very good role player, is all that he really is and these other teams have been expecting too much from him.

     What is certainly true is that he doesn't have the right mentality to be a star and he is better off being the third or fourth option behind more experienced and talented veterans. Interestingly enough, Memphis creates such an environment for him. The Grizzlies rely on Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, and Mike Conley to be their leaders and Lance Stephenson will be asked to provide an extra boost and support, similar to what he was expected to do for the Pacers.

      Much like the Pacers teams that Stephenson was apart of, the Grizzlies win by playing stingy defense and crashing the glass. It's entirely possible that Lance Stephenson returns to form in Memphis and embraces his role as something similar to what he had in Indiana. He has the pieces to make an impact in Memphis, but he'll have to get his mind right and be willing to be a role player as opposed to being a star. If can re-embrace the role player identity, he very well may find his groove again on Beale Street. If he can't re-embrace this identity, odds are good he'll be playing for yet another team in the 2016-17 season with one foot out the door.

Eurostep Sunday: What does Nick Calathes bring to Panathinaikos B.C.?

(Note: I wrote this article for  the Greek newspaper Prasini published by Xristos Barounis. Follow Xristos on twitter @CBarounis. For an original link to the article in Greek, click here). 

      Nick Calathes, who spent the last two seasons in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies, has signed a three-year, $7M deal with Panathinaikos. This is not the first time the Greek-American has played for Panathinaikos. Before joining the Memphis Grizzlies, he played for Panathinaikos from 2009-2012 and helped lead them to a Euroleague title in 2011. 

     The purpose of this article is for me to explain what Nick Calathes will bring to Panathinaikos after his two years with the Grizzlies. I have been asked to write this article because I cover the Memphis Grizzlies for BealeStreetBears.com and have followed Calathes’ game closely during his time in Memphis. I have a good sense of what he can bring to the table and why he is a great addition to Panathinaikos.

     Probably the number one thing that Calathes will bring Panathinaikos is great play on both ends of the floor. Per 36 minutes, Calathes averaged 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.7 steals per game with the Grizzlies last season. His shooting percentages weren’t very good, but he was able to contribute in other areas besides scoring the basketball. He did a good job at creating plays for others while also playing good defense.

     The second thing he brings to Panathinaikos is an upgrade at the point guard position. Outside of Dimitris Diamantidis, Panathinaikos didn’t really have a point guard who could consistently create offense for others last season. Diamantidis averaged a solid 8.0 points and 5.9 assists per game last season in Euroleague play, but nobody else on the team was able to average more than 3 assists per game. With Nick Calathes now on the roster, Panathinaikos will have two really good playmakers on the floor, which should make the offense flow much more smoothly than it did last season.

     The third thing that Nick Calathes brings to Panathinaikos is playoff experience. During his time with the Memphis Grizzlies, Nick Calathes played in some really important NBA playoff games. He got to play point guard behind Mike Conley, who is one of the best point guards in the NBA and one of the best performers in the playoffs. Panathinaikos certainly could have used Calathes’ playoff toughness in their Euroleague playoff series against CSKA Moscow last season, a series that CSKA Moscow would win in four games.

     In conclusion, Nick Calathes is a great addition to Panathinaikos because he plays well on both ends of the floor, provides an upgrade at the point guard position, and he also brings playoff experience from the NBA. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see him lead Panathinaikos to a Euroleague title in 2016.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA and Euroleague news

Western Conference Playoffs Preview: Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies

     #1. Golden State Warriors (67-15) vs. #5. Memphis Grizzlies (55-27): 

     The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies meet in the second round after the Warriors swept the New Orleans Pelicans and the Grizzlies took out the Portland Trail Blazers in five games. The Warriors won the regular season series 2-1, dominating the Grizzlies the last two times they played in the regular season. Given that the Warriors won the regular season series and cruised to the best record in the NBA, there is no reason to not have the Warriors as the favorites to win this series. 

     In addition to the Warriors having the better record and on paper the better team, the Warriors are also the team that is more healthy. The Grizzlies are without their starting point guard Mike Conley, who is recovering from facial fractures. Conley was warming up before Game 1 wearing a mask, but ended up not playing due to swelling in his face. Conley will try to give it a go in Game 2 on Tuesday, but odds he plays remain dicey. 

     While there are plenty of reasons to pick the Warriors to win this series with the Grizzlies at full strength, one can almost certainly rule out any chance of a Memphis Grizzlies victory with Mike Conley injured. Conley is crucial to what this team does both in terms of his offensive production and defensive impact. When he is on the floor, everybody is able to do their job with more efficiency and ease. When he is off the floor, things simply don't run as smoothly. 

       In addition to getting good production from their backup point guards Nick Calathes and Beno Udrih, the Grizzlies will really need to win the battle on the glass and get stellar production from their big men Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. If those guys play big inside, the Grizzlies may have a chance to steal a game in Golden State. But unfortunately, even with Mike Conley healthy, the Grizzlies will still need those guys to play big, which once again underscores how hard it is for the Grizzlies to win without Mike Conley. 

     In terms of what the Warriors need to do, they need to play their game which is get stops, press the ball in transition, and find open shooters. If the Warriors are able to play up to the pace and tempo that they like and find open shooters in transition, they will not be stopped. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are too good of shooters, and while the Grizzlies do have quality perimeter defenders in Tony Allen and Courtney Lee, there isn't much those guys can do when it comes to playing defense in transition. Like all defenders, those guys are best in the half court. 

     Going off of that, the Grizzlies will want to do everything they can to slow the game down and get things into a half court set on both ends of the floor. If this series grinds to a halt and there are fewer possessions for both teams, the Grizzlies will have a very good chance of winning this series because they focus on playing well in the paint as opposed to the perimeter. It's hard to win games when most of your shots are from the perimeter, but at some point, if you are good enough and you get enough looks, the reward outweighs the risk. 

     At the end of the day, I'm picking the Warriors to win this series in six games. They have the better team and Mike Conley's health is a huge question mark looming over the series. All the same, the Grizzlies are a tough team and I think they'll find a way to win a couple of games. The Grizzlies certainly have the player personnel and the style to give the Warriors trouble. It's just that when they are undermanned, one cannot realistically expect them to come out of this series on top. 

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord for NBA news

Western Conference Playoffs Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies

#4 Portland Trail Blazers (51-31) vs. #5 Memphis Grizzlies (55-27): 

     The Memphis Grizzlies swept the Portland Trail Blazers 4-0 in the regular season and by having a better overall record, they have earned home court advantage for the series. A huge factor going into this series is that the Trail Blazers are banged up and the Grizzlies are healthy. Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Jeff Green, and Marc Gasol were all able to go in Game 1 and they'll be good to go tonight in Game 2.

     As for the Trail Blazers, Chris Kaman (ankle) and Arron Afflalo (shoulder) will not be available for Game 2 after missing Game 1. In addition, the Trail Blazers have lost Wesley Matthews for the season to an Achilles injury. It will be really hard for the Trail Blazers to overcome these injuries. Especially since they weren't even able to overcome the Grizzlies when healthy.

     The only way the Trail Blazers win this series is if LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard become the best two players in the series and carry the team on their backs. Lillard has averaged 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game while Aldridge has averaged 23.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. They are an excellent duo that has the capability of taking over games against the very best of teams. The problem that they face is they really don't have anybody else who can help them. Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez aren't bad, but they can't make up for the production that they would have with a healthy Wesley Matthews and Arron Afflalo.

     The Grizzlies on the other hand don't need to rely as heavily on any two players. Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, and Jeff Green share the scoring the load together, which takes pressure off each of them individually. In addition, they have guys like Courtney Lee, Vince Carter, and Beno Udrih coming in off the bench who can also knock down some shots.

     The Grizzlies' biggest strength is their defense and rebounding, which is bad news for the Trail Blazers. It will be really hard for Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge to have huge games against a team that prides itself on defense and crashing the glass since it limits the amount of quality shots they can take. Lillard and Aldridge will have to earn every point they get and as a result will get worn down over the course of the series.

     Lastly, the Grizzlies have plenty of guys who can step up in the clutch given their veteran leadership and experience. Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Vince Carter are all used to playing under the pressure of the playoffs and should be able to perform just as well in clutch moments as Lillard and Aldridge. The Grizzlies have more weapons, more depth, and home court. I got the Grizzlies winning this series in 5 games.

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord 

   

Friday Fresh NBA Power Rankings: Friday, April 3, 2015

                      NBA Power Rankings 

     Here are my NBA Power Rankings for Friday, April 3, 2015. Enjoy! 


#1. Golden State Warriors (62-13): They have won 11 straight games during a period in which they've already had home court advantage locked up for the entire playoffs. If that doesn't scare opposing teams, I don't know what will. 

#2. Cleveland Cavaliers (49-27): The Cavaliers are heating up at the right time, having won 8 of their last 10 games. 

#3. Atlanta Hawks (56-19): I don't want to sleep on the Hawks because they've had such a wonderful season, but their lack of a true superstar still leaves room for doubt. 

#4. Houston Rockets (52-24): James Harden is literally willing this team into the NBA championship picture. If Dwight Howard can get back to full strength, these guys just might win it all. 

#5. Memphis Grizzlies (51-24): They have a huge game at home against the Thunder tonight. Even more crucial for them is that they secure the #2 seed in the West. 

#6. Los Angeles Clippers (50-26): Jamal Crawford is aiming to be back on Tuesday. This is definitely good news for the Clippers. 

#7. San Antonio Spurs (49-26): The Spurs have won 8 of their last 10 games and have really turned on the jets as we head into the playoffs. We've all seen this movie before. 

#8. Portland Trail Blazers (48-26): They have won just 4 of their last 10 games and are starting to slide. The absence of Wesley Matthews is huge. 

#9. Dallas Mavericks (46-30): There is a very weird vibe surrounding this team that is largely due to Rajon Rondo's presence. Still, the talent is there to make a run. 

#10. Chicago Bulls (45-30): Once again, the Bulls are crossing their fingers that Derrick Rose can return to full strength.

#11. Toronto Raptors (45-30): The Raptors go into tonight's game against the Nets riding a three-game winning streak. Maybe these guys can get something going before the playoffs. 

#12. Oklahoma City Thunder (42-33): Without Kevin Durant, there is no hope for this team to make any sort of run in the playoffs. 

#13. New Orleans Pelicans (40-34): They are just 1.5 games back of the Thunder for the #8 seed in the West. With Ryan Anderson back, there is hope.  

#14. Washington Wizards (42-33): I've never seen a team fall more quickly from contender status to pretender. 

#15. Phoenix Suns (38-38): I don't want to call this a disappointing season for the Suns, but looking at where they were last season, it's hard to say that it isn't. 

#16. Milwaukee Bucks (37-38): I think we are seeing that this team really does need Jabari Parker healthy in order to be a serious threat. 

#17. Brooklyn Nets (34-40): I can't believe the Nets have the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference. I mean seriously, that's a joke. 

#18. Utah Jazz (34-41): The Jazz have made tremendous strides this season. Look for this team to perhaps capture the #8 seed in the West next season. 

#19. Boston Celtics (34-41): It helps to have Isaiah Thomas back. With him healthy, they have a real shot at making the playoffs. 

#20. Miami Heat (34-41): It's hard to figure how good this team would be with a healthy Chris Bosh, but it would stand to reason that they would be threatening the Bucks for the #6 seed in the East. 

#21. Charlotte Hornets (32-42): The Hornets are still alive, just 1.5 games back of the #8 seed, which is currently held by the Heat. 

#22. Indiana Pacers (32-43): I doubt Paul George comes back. Even if the Pacers make the playoffs, I don't see the point in bringing him back. 

#23. Detroit Pistons (29-46): It's kinda painful to think that with Brandon Jennings healthy, this team would probably be in the playoffs. 

#24. Denver Nuggets (28-47): The Nuggets have so many issues. I don't know where to begin. Kenneth Faried and Ty Lawson are the only real bright spots that they have. 

#25. Sacramento Kings (26-48): DeMarcus Cousins is seriously the only player to give Kings fans hope. The Kings would be idiotic to move him. 

#26. Orlando Magic (22-53): Aaron Gordon has been averaging 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. So far, he's looking like a bust. 

#27. Los Angeles Lakers (20-54): Steve Nash's retirement was a merciful decision on his end. Going forward, this team has no base or anything to give them hope for the future. 

#28. Philadelphia 76ers (18-58): The only thing that can excite this team is that Joel Embiid is on track to play in Summer League. 

#29. Minnesota Timberwolves (16-59): Andrew Wiggins is the real deal. The Timberwolves have a legitimate superstar on their hands. 

#30. New York Knicks (14-61): The lottery better be kind to them. 

---Ben Parker: follow me on twitter @nba_lord