If the Grizzlies are going to make a run for the playoffs they need to get more from their rookies who get a lot of the bench minutes for the team. Forward Sam Young has played the best ball of the rookies this season for the Grizzlies. He has played in 54 games (1 start) in which he has averaged 16.2 minutes, 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Power forward DeMarre Carroll needs to step up if he wants to keep getting P.T. Carroll has played in 52 games (1 start) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 11.9 minutes, 3.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game on 39.3% shooting from the floor. The Grizzlies are bringing center Hasheem Thabeet along slowly. He has played in 50 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 10.3 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, 0.1 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. On the plus side, Thabeet is shooting 58% from the floor this year. Shooting guard Lester Hudson started the season with the Celtics. He has played in 8 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies and he is averaging 7.4 minutes, 4.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game on 38.2% shooting from the floor. Overall for the Celtics & Grizzlies, Hudson has played in 24 games (0 starts) in which he is averaging 5.4 minutes, 2.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.

The Grizzlies decided to give former first round pick Marcus Williams a chance to re-establish himself this season but it just hasn’t worked out. He is bending the rim at a alarming rate this season. Williams is shooting 37.1% from the floor, 21.9% from the three point line and 67.9% from the free throw line this season. He has played in 30 games (1 start) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 12.4 minutes, 3.7 points, 1.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The Grizzlies shouldn’t let Williams play much until his shot gets sharper.

The Grizzlies need more out of back-up point guard Jamaal Tinsley. He has played in 34 games (1 start) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 16.0 minutes, 3.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. Tinsley is only shooting 37.3% from the floor and 19.4% from three point range this season and that is just not good enough. The Grizzlies took a big chance in bringing in Tinsley and it has not paid off as of yet.

Starting point guard Michael Conley doesn’t have the kind of game the Grizzlies need. He has played in 34 games (all starts) this season for the Grizzlies and he is averaging 30.1 minutes, 10.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. The Grizzlies need a pass first type of point guard to run the offense as they already have enough scorers on the team. It looks like Conley will be safe for the rest of this season as long as the Grizzlies don’t make a big trade to bring in someone like Andre Miller of the Blazers who would be a perfect fit on this team.

The Memphis Grizzlies won this game with their shooting as they hit 52% from the floor last night. Mike Miller led the way for the Grizzlies with 25 points and 4 rebounds. Pau Gasol was a beast in the paint as he finished up with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 blocked shots. Juan Carlos Navarro was outstanding off of the bench with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in only 27 minutes. Bobby Jones got a rare start and he ran with it as he scored 20 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out 7 assists and stole the ball 3 times. The Grizzlies improved to 11-28 on the season with this win.

Join Our Sports Forum Community: BlogLockers.com