NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason needs for the Memphis Grizzlies
By John Buhler
2. Aren’t y’all supposed to be good on the glass?
Well, if bringing back all of Memphis’ favorite old guys is out of the question, how about getting some younger dudes that can win on the glass. This is Grit N’ Grind Memphis, but the Grizzlies finished 24th in total rebounding and 27th on the defensive glass.
For a team that isn’t exactly proficient in scoring the basketball, this was a massive problem for the Grizzlies in 2016-17. Second-chance opportunities and transition defense essentially prevented Memphis from being an elite team.
Sure, maybe it has something to do with a new coach in Fizdale implementing a new defensive system, but being teddy bears on the glass is not okay in Memphis. Bears are big, mean, and menacing. Nobody should own the paint more than the Grizzlies. Not in the Grindhouse with this incarnation of the team.
A popular big man who will be hitting free agency this summer is power forward Taj Gibson of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gibson had spent the bulk of his NBA career grinding and getting yelled at with the Chicago Bulls. He would be make for a seamless transition in Memphis.
It’s a shame that Memphis won’t have enough coin to reach for an All-Star like Atlanta Hawks power forward Paul Millsap. He’s a pro’s pro and would thrive playing for Fizdale should he leave Atlanta on the open market. There will be other bruisers down low potentially on the market. Getting a guy that can play alongside Gasol is most crucial.