Grizzlies’ Slow Pace Does Not Lead to Strong Defense

By Keller Austin

The Memphis Grizzlies have long been known for their “grit and grind” style emphasizing slow pace and suffocating defense. This season, the Grizzlies are the slowest team in the NBA, with a 97.05 pace rating. The pace rating is an estimate of how many possessions a team has per game. Though Memphis’ pace is similar to previous seasons, their defensive rating is currently in the bottom 10 of the NBA. Teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers have worse defensive ratings than Memphis, but both have positive net ratings. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are fourth-worst in net rating in the NBA.

The Grizzlies defensive struggles can be explained in part by Marc Gasol’s individual play. Gasol has the worst defensive rating of his career since his rookie season this year. He also has the second-worst net rating of his career this season. In addition to poor defensive play, Gasol’s offensive rating is the worst of his career. The combination of his bad defense and worse offense is a big reason why the Grizzlies have struggled this year.

Memphis will almost certainly have a top-5 pick in this summer’s NBA draft. They should focus their draft on a two-way wing or an offensive minded low-post player with defensive upside. Someone like Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, Arizona’s DeAndre Ayton, or Texas’ Mohamed Bamba would be a solid pick on the interior while Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. or Michigan State’s Miles Bridges are both good offensive wings with size. With Mike Conley and Marc Gasol both returning next season and Tyreke Evans expected to return, the point guard, shooting guard, and center starting spots are solidified but the small forward and power forward spots are still uncertain.

If the Grizzlies can find a player to fill one of those spots in the draft who plays good defense and can hold his own offensively, the Grizzlies should begin their rebuild and start their road back to the playoffs.