Starting Five |
Player
Rating |
C |
Lorenzen Wright |
5 |
PF |
Pau Gasol |
7.5 |
SF |
James Posey |
7 |
SG |
Bonzi Wells |
7 |
PG |
Jason Williams |
6.5 |
| |
|
33 |
* Player Rating on a 1 to 10 Scale. 10
denotes best at position in the NBA with no weaknesses, 5 would be average
player who holds his own etc.
Reserves |
Position
Rating |
C |
Jake Tsakalidis |
6 |
PF |
Stromile Swift / Bo Outlaw / Brian Cardinal |
7 |
SF |
Mike Miller / Ryan Humphrey |
8 |
SG |
Shane Battier / Dahntay Jones / Andre Emmett |
8 |
PG |
Earl Watson / Troy Bell |
6 |
| |
|
35 |
* Ratings based on ability of bench to
fill in a position. More than one backup at a position would influence
the rating as would one player's ability to play multiple positions.
For eg. Wally and Spree's flexibility makes a three man rotation at
SG and SF which gives a higher bench rating than Hassell alone deserves
and it affects both bench positions.
Needs:
Does this team really need to go out after that one big star to carry
them to a title? That was the conventional thinking but after Detroit's
dismantling of the Lakers, West may be rethinking that approach.
The wing players are very strong with starter quality players on the
bench. At point guard and up front, the Grizzlies could look to improve
a bit. Jason Williams is a good point guard but doesn't dominate his
match up. Pau Gasol can get his points but is not the best of defenders.
Wright and Jake are merely adequate. West picked up some depth at forward
by signing Cardinal, now he needs to probably package two or three players
for a stud up front -- Shaq and Dampier being the most obvious candidates.
With Shaq not showing any interest in Memphis, Dampier seems to be the
target. He would pair well with Gasol up front. West would have to give
up Swift and a swing man in a sign and trade, probably Wells or Miller
to make salaries match. Wells would be the better fit for the Warriors,
his post up game allowing him to share the court with Richardson and
Dunleavy who prefer the perimeter.
Prediction: The Grizzlies visited the
playoffs last year, they plan to make their stay a longer one this year.
However, unless West manages to snatch Shaq from LA, Round 1 may be
all they can manage. A key point to note is that injuries have pretty
much decided the playoffs the last couple of years and this team is
the best equipped to deal with that. If any of the top teams slip even
a notch, the Grizzlies won't be taking any prisoners. 50+ wins and a
4-5 seed if they get Dampier (last year's edition, ofcourse).