2014-15 NBA Season Preview: Memphis Grizzlies
Welcome to theScore's preview of the 2014-15 Memphis Grizzlies. Visit our preseason hub for previews of all 30 NBA teams.
Memphis Grizzlies
2013-14
| Record | Division | West | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-32 | 3rd | 7th | Lost R1 |
The Memphis Grizzlies put together a roster capable of hanging with the toughest teams in the league, but a few bad breaks cost them a chance at achieving glory in 2013-14.
The key cog in the Grizzlies lineup is center Marc Gasol. He's the controlling piece on the defensive end, altering shots at the rim and stunting would-be drives from guards. He missed 23 games and two full months of action due to an MCL injury last season, keeping the Grizzlies from establishing the dominant defensive rhythm that made them a contender the year before.
Mike Conley continued to subtly improve and Zach Randolph rolled out another 17 and 10 season, but Gasol's missed time dragged them down to a seventh seed and a first round matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Grizzlies held a 3-2 series advantage but couldn't close it out at home in Game 6, and ultimately fell to MVP Kevin Durant's hot hand in seven.
Offseason Roundup
It was a reasonably quiet summer for the Grizzlies in terms of player transaction. Most of the movement took place in the front office. CEO Jason Levien and director of player personnel Stu Lash were both handed pink slips, while interim general manager Chris Wallace was promoted and given a new contract.
Wallace then went to work, re-signing Randolph to a two-year, $20 million extension, and adding veteran guard Vince Carter. Carter will be asked to fill the void on the wing left by Mike Miller, while a re-signed Beno Udrih will take on a larger role in the absence of Jerryd Bayless.
Big man Ed Davis departed for Los Angeles, leaving the Grizzlies perilously thin for a team relying on so many veteran legs in the front court.
Additions
SF Vince Carter (3/$12.3M)
*PG Beno Udrih (2/$4.2M)
*Re-signed
Departures
PF/C Ed Davis (free agency)
SG Jamaal Franklin (released)
SG/SF Mike Miller (free agency)
2014 Draft
SG Jordan Adams (1st round, 22nd overall)
The grit n' grind Grizzlies diverged from their formula with their only pick, grabbing scoring wing Jordan Adams from UCLA.
After battling questions about his conditioning for the majority of the season, Adams showed up to pre-draft workouts a reported 22 pounds lighter than he was at the end of his college career. Our pre-draft scouting report bursts with confidence at his ability to get buckets.
Adams can score with the best of them, ranking among college basketball's best point producers on a per-minute basis and flashing an inconsistent but rangy stroke. While his solid build is used against him at times, it allows him to finish strong at the basket, an important ability given his propensity for attacking defenses. He also piled up steals in college despite not being a great defender, possibly portending some defensive potential.
Starting 5
- PG Mike Conley
- SG Tony Allen
- SF Tayshaun Prince
- PF Zach Randolph
- C Marc Gasol
Breakout player: Jon Leuer
The Grizzlies are depending on a number of veterans in their frontcourt, and the extra wear and tear on the experienced legs should mean more opportunities for Jon Leuer to showcase his skills.
The 25-year old is spacing personified, a 6-foot-10 power forward with range that stretches beyond the arc. He averaged 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds last season in just over 13 minutes, shooting 46.9 percent from three-point range.
Leuer has never cracked 50 games played in an NBA season, but as Randolph enters his mid-30's, Leuer's ability to pull defenses to the perimeter could become a key component of the Grizzlies' second-unit attack.
Season Expectations
It's hard out here in the West.
The Grizzlies ended up getting a bit of a raw deal last season by drawing such a tough matchup in the first round. The lack of significant offseason movement seems to suggest a belief that a five-seed isn't out of the question. After all, they were one win away from sending the Thunder home in the first round.
The question is whether or not an old team - one that will still rely heavily on a 34-year-old Tayshaun Prince and 37-year-old Vince Carter on the wing - will have enough in the tank to keep up in the Western Conference. We know they'll play tough defensively and grind some teams to death, but it remains to be seen if Cater, Udrih, and Adams can help propel the offense into a favorable spot in the standings.
1 to Follow on Social Media
All hail the Grindfather.
Tony Allen prides himself on being a premiere defensive guard, capable of shutting down the most talented players in the league.
On twitter, Allen holds a delightfully indecipherable screen name @aa000G9, and occasionally mixes total randomness in with motivational quotes.
Patrick Swayze
— Tony Allen (@aa000G9) September 18, 2014