| 30 Teams, 30 Days: Memphis Draft Preview Authored by Jason M. Williams - June 1, 2009 - 2:26 pm
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2009 Draft Picks: 2nd, 27th, 35th
Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Mike Conley
SG O.J. Mayo
SF Rudy Gay
PF Darrell Arthur
C Marc Gasol
Key Reserves:
PF Hakim Warrick
C Darko Milicic
SG Greg Buckner
What the Grizzlies Do Well:
The Grizzlies have used the draft very smartly to create one of the best young backcourt trios in Conley, Mayo, and Gay. Together, they have solidified their future at the point, shooting guard, and small forward position.
Conley improved in his second season by setting career bests in scoring (10.9 ppg), assists (4.3 apg), rebounding (3.4 rpg), steals (1.1 spg), free-throw shooting (81.7%), field goal percentage (44.2%), and three-point shooting (40.6%).
Mayo finished second to Derrick Rose in NBA Rookie of the Year voting, gaining five first place votes along the way. Mayo led all rookies in scoring (18.5 ppg) and added 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, while shooting 87.9% from the stripe and 38.4% from downtown.
But perhaps the biggest story and surprise of the season was the production the Grizzlies got from talented Spanish big man, Marc Gasol. Marc came over from the Lakers in the Pau Gasol Trade and followed up a strong Olympic performance in Beijing with a stellar rookie season in the NBA. Gasol provided a sturdy presence down low and averaged 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Greatest Areas of Improvement:
Low Block Scorer
For the second straight year, the main areas that the Grizzlies must improve are solely in the frontcourt. While Darrel Arthur and Gasol have made positive strides towards solidifying the starting front court positions, neither is talented enough to become a go-to scorer down low. Off the bench, Hakim Warrick is a glorified small forward and Darko Milicic is simply Darko. Memphis has lacked in this department since Pau Gasol was sent to the Lakers.
Rebounding and Shot-Blocking
The Grizzlies still need more power and rebounding inside – simply put. Aside from Gasol, their leading rebounder was swingman Rudy Gay with 5.5 rpg, and no one aside from Gasol averaged more than 1.0 blocks per game. They need to pick up a big man who can rip down boards with authority and start the fast break by sending attempted shots back the other way.
Who’s Gone Number 2 Recently?
Over the past five years, the second overall selection has treated its teams very well...perhaps even better than the first pick. Michael Beasley began to pick up steam at the end of last season, Kevin Durant won Rookie of the Year, LaMarcus Aldridge and Emeka Okafor are turning into All-Star caliber big men, and Marvin Williams showed fans in Atlanta the past two seasons that he is a very talented young small forward.
2008
Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
2007
Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics
2006
LaMarcus Aldridge, Chicago Bulls (traded to Portland)
2005
Marvin Williams, Atlanta Hawks
2004
Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats
Who Should the Grizzlies Target?
For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Grizzlies should target in this year’s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina’s Prospect Draft Report piece.
- Hasheem Thabeet of UConn
It would make a lot more sense if the Grizzlies could snatch Blake Griffin and the Clippers would select Ricky Rubio, but the chances of that are not very likely. While Griffin would fit perfectly in the Grizzlies starting power forward slot, the next best thing they can do is select Hasheem Thabeet out of UConn. The 7-3 enormous man is a big raw, but is already showing that he can provide stability at the center position in Memphis for years to come. His ridiculous wingspan and knack for blocking shots from across the paint have some scouts comparing him to Marcus Camby version 5000. With some added toughness and a coach to team him how to contribute offensively, Thabeet could become the deterrent in the paint to build this team into a contender.
- Ricky Rubio of DKV Joventut
Many scouts are shying away from Thabeet, which could lead to this pick being used on Rubio. While Rubio seems to be the real deal at the point, Memphis has been plagued with a constant surplus at the position and some believe Mayo is their point guard of the future. Last year saw the Grizz trade away Javaris Crittenton and Kyle Lowry, but perhaps it would be nice for Conley to spend one month without another talented point guard breathing down his neck.
Picks Over the Past Five Years
Memphis hasn’t had many picks in the past couple of years, but has used them very wisely over the past couple of years. Conley appears to be the point guard of the future, while last year’s trades basically swapped Kevin Love for O.J. Mayo, and Donte Greene for Darrell Arthur.
2008
Kevin Love, 5th (traded to Minnesota)
Donte Greene, 28th (traded to Houston)
2007
Mike Conley, 4th
2006
Kyle Lowry, 24th
2005
Hakim Warrick, 19th
2004
Sergey Lishchuk, 50th
Who Do the Fans Want?
According to Andrew Perna’s Memphis Grizzlies Lottery Summit, featuring the responses of true RealGM hoops fans hoping to add their two cents to the Grizzlies Draft discussion, the fans of Memphis seemed to prefer the second overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft to be:
Ricky Rubio, PG – Spain
The Fan Verdicts
1. What could the team have done differently to make the playoffs?
GrizzledGrizzFan: In a word, nothing.
SD2042: Nothing when you have a young team without any veterans to teach them the ways of the game.
hptmatthew: It was pretty much impossible given the extreme youth and lack of talent at certain positions, especially on the bench.
Cubboo: Nothing. We are who we thought we were.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
GrizzledGrizzFan: Youth and talent.
SD2042: Youth.
hptmatthew: Energy and a willingness to listen to a new coach once he was hired.
Cubboo: Flexibility. We have lots of options, but decided to stand pat and take our lumps this year.
BarbaGrizz: Flexibility and Talent.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
GrizzledGrizzFan: Marc Gasol was consistent throughout the entire season, and he never really hit the rookie wall.
SD2042: Gasol played well under the circumstances in his rookie season. The Grizzles should look to utilize him in the offense more.
hptmatthew: Haddadi. He was not a total scrub, and showed signs that he might actually be able to learn to use his immense size and length to his advantage.
Cubboo: It has to be Gasol. We expected a lot from O.J. Mayo, but were unsure what we would get from MG. He is much better than I expected and was a solid presence in the paint on the offensive/defensive end.
BarbaGrizz: Gasol and Haddadi (in limited minutes).
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
GrizzledGrizzFan: Rudy Gay. Not that his season was all that awful, but instead of continuing to improve he took a quarter step back.
SD2042: Gay took some steps backwards this season. He needs to improve his defense, dribble and more become more consistent on the offensive end.
hptmatthew: Darko Milicic. Not that it would surprise anyone when he lays an egg, but his inconsistency reached new depths this season. His head is obviously in Europe, and I can only dream of the day that he is traded as a fairly-sized expiring.
Cubboo: Gay. The keys to the franchise were given to him this year, but he seemed to be outshined by Mayo. Rudy was better than last year, but not as good as I expected him to be. I wanted more, but maybe my expectations were too high.
BarbaGrizz: Gay. We all expected that he would raise his game level to an All-Star level.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
GrizzledGrizzFan: I’m very confident in our front office, but scared of our owner.
SD2042: Same as always. We’re on shaky ground and I feel like I'm standing on a trapdoor.
hptmatthew: In Chris Wallace, very. However, the potential conflict between Wallace/Heisley/Hollins, particularly regarding the point guard position, detracts from my confidence somewhat.
Cubboo: Wallace does a good job, but he's tied to an anchor of an owner in Heisley. It's as if he is trying to drag a bus uphill in the rain. If Heisley will get out of the way, I think we have a chance to improve.
BarbaGrizz: I’m 100% confident in Wallace, 50% confident in Hollins, and 5% confident in Heisley
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
GrizzledGrizzFan: Talent. The Grizzles missed their biggest need by one draft spot. Blake Griffin would have been a godsend for this team.
SD2042: Power forward is a big need, as well as depth at every position and veterans.
hptmatthew: Players that are better than Darko, Quintin Ross, Greg Buckner, and Darius Miles.
Cubboo: A power forward, depth, and help at point guard. If we could trade for veteran leadership and maturity, those would be nice too.
BarbaGrizz: A power forward and depth.
7. Who would you like the Grizzles to take with their draft picks?
GrizzledGrizzFan: Ricky Rubio (second) and Sam Young or Tyler Hansbrough (27th).
SD2042: Rubio and Hansbrough/Chase Budinger
hptmatthew: Rubio and Young/Budinger.
Cubboo: Rubio is the second pick, without a doubt. If not for his actual value to the Grizzles, then for his perceived value to other teams.
BarbaGrizz: Rubio and Budinger.
Click here to read other draft previews in our 30 Teams, 30 Days series
Who do you want the Grizzlies to draft at number 2? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.
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