Memphis Grizzlies Complete 2016-17 Preview

There was no grand finale for the grit-and-grind era of the Memphis Grizzlies.

They were pulverized by the injury bug and torn down by trades in 2015-16. By season’s end, they had suited up a league-record 28 different players and entered the playoffs with only one opening-night starter in action.

Rather than bank on good health and a familiar formula to reascend the Western Conference ladder, Memphis spent the summer modernizing its strategies.

Skipper Dave Joerger—a reluctant-but-willing grit-and-grind overseer—was ousted and replaced by longtime NBA assistant David Fizdale. Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons collected more than $247 million in free agency to juice a Grizzlies attack finally ready to embrace pace-and-space.

“I’ve talked to all the guys and they understand where the league is at,” Fizdale said, per CBS Sports’ Matt Moore. “If we think we’re going to play in the 80s and win anything, we’re sadly mistaken. And they understand that and I think we’re going to have a committed group to playing at a faster tempo.”

The Grizzlies have talked about accelerating before, but the personnel changes could make this philosophical change stick. But will the franchise find more success than its black-and-blue days?

Biggest Offseason Move

Memphis made three monumental, organization-rattling moves over the offseason. One involved making Conley the highest-paid player in NBA history. Another tasked Fizdale with bringing the league’s premier throwback franchise up to date.

But as far as 2016-17 is concerned, no deal holds greater importance than Parsons’ four-year pact. When healthy, the 27-year-old’s versatility fits perfectly in a Robin role. Assuming Conley and/or Gasol can be the Grizzies’ Batman, Parsons should shine as the offensive wing Memphis has long needed.

“Parsons is likely to be the most significant shooter the Grizzlies have employed in the current era,” Chris Herrington of the Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote. “He is also good enough with the ball to be a secondary playmaker and, with his size, is versatile enough to play both forward positions. Offensively, at least, he could be a perfect fit playing between Conley and Gasol.”

Parsons was also an 83rd-percentile transition finisher last season, a number that should encourage the new-look Grizzlies. Their less-heralded moves focused on shooting (Troy Daniels), youth (Wade Baldwin, Deyonta Davis) and athleticism (James Ennis).

Similarly, Memphis’ main subtractions serve to lower its age and number of Lance Stephensons. Matt Barnes and Chris Andersen looked like grit-and-grind naturals, but the late-30-somethings no longer fit the franchise’s plans.

Rotation Breakdown

Harvest enough tea leaves, and there’s a way to see that emphasizing pace-and-space means dialing back grit-and-grind staples like Tony Allen and Zach Randolph. And Fizdale’s …

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