The Memphis Grizzlies gave the Oklahoma City Thunder all they could handle in a grueling seven-game series in the first round of last year’s first round of the Western Conference Playoffs as they potentially are one player away from threatening to breakthrough and get back to the Conference Finals.
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The NBA Draft was the first chance for the Grizzlies to see if that one player could be had with the No. 22 pick in what has been called one of the deepest drafts in more than a decade.
With some attractive options on the board, including Connecticut Huskies star point guard, Shabazz Napier as well as Rodney Hood, Cleanthony Early and P.J. Hairston, the Grizzlies elected to draft 6-5 shooting guard Jordan Adams from the UCLA Bruins.
Having Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Tony Allen already on the roster and ready to compete for championships, adding a player the caliber of Adams who averaged 17.4 points per game as a sophomore with the Bruins could make the Grizzlies another tough out in the playoffs next year.
Twitter reacted to the news of the newest Memphis Grizzlies draft pick.
Ask anyone who was around UCLA's program over the past two years and they'll tell you Jordan Adams was Bruins' best player. Wasn't close.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 27, 2014
Jordan Adams to the Grizz is a great fit.
— Akis (@Aykis16) June 27, 2014