22-year old power forward Darrell Arthur has stepped up his game so far this year.  Arthur has played in 21 games (6 starts) so far this year and he is averaging 22.5 minutes, 9.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  His shooting has also improved big time as Arthur has hit 52.1% from the floor and 78.1% from the free throw line so far this year.  Arthur played in 108 games (64 starts) in his first two years with the Grizzlies and he averaged 17.8 minutes, 5.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  He only shot 43.6% from the floor and 63.3% from the free throw line in his first two years.  The Grizzlies hope that Arthur keeps playing at this level because the bench has been the big weakness of the team the last couple of years.

The Grizzlies have sent 23-year old shooting guard O.J. Mayo to the bench.  Mayo has played in 17 games (13 starts) for the Grizzlies so far this year and he is averaging 31.9 minutes, 13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.  The Grizzlies have replaced Mayo in the starting lineup with 19-year old rookie Xavier Henry.  Henry has played in 15 games (4 starts) so far this year for the Grizzlies and he is averaging 15.1 minutes, 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game.  Henry is only shooting 37.7% from the floor and he is 1 of 11 from three point range so far this year.  I really don’t like this move for the Grizzlies as starting Mayo gives them a much better chance to win on a nightly basis.

24-year old shooting guard Rudy Gay got the big max contract over the summer and he’s rewarding the Grizzlies for their faith in him so far this year. Gay has played in 12 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies so far this year and he is averaging 42.1 minutes, 23.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He is also shooting really well from everywhere on the court hitting 50.2% from the floor, 41.7% from three point range and 87.5% from the free throw line so far this year. The Grizzlies might want to watch his minutes so that he doesn’t get burned out but other than that everything looks good for Gay right now.

22-year old forward Darrell Arthur is playing very well so far this year for the Grizzlies. He has started all 3 games for the Grizzlies so far this year and he is averaging 29.3 minutes, 17.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists and 1.0 steals per game. Arthur is also shooting 60% from the floor so far this year as he’s playing at a high level for the Grizzlies this year. Arthur has been filling in for the injured Zach Randolph and he has kept the Grizzlies on course.

The Grizzlies were very happy with 28-year old power forward Zach Randolph in his first year with the team. Randolph played in 81 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies last season and he averaged 37.7 minutes, 20.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Randolph teamed with Marc Gasol to give the Grizzlies a very solid and powerful tandem in the paint. Randolph has now played in 587 games (460 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 31.1 minutes, 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Randolph came to the Grizzlies with the reputation of having a bad attitude but he appeared happy and motivated in Memphis almost helping them make the playoffs.

The Grizzlies would probably have benefitted more having a pass first point guard but Mike Conley did a decent job in 2009-10. He has played in 76 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 32.0 minutes, 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He needs to improve his shooting next year as 43.8% is a little bit low for a starting point guard, especially one who likes to shoot first.

Starting power forward Zach Randolph has really been a dominating force for the Grizzlies this season. He has started all 70 games that he has played in this season for the Grizzlies and he is averaging 37.8 minutes, 20.9 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. The Grizzlies will need Randolph to finish the season strong if they are going to have any hope of snagging the #8 spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

Center Marc Gasol has really played well for the Grizzlies this season following in his brother’s (Pau) footsteps. Gasol has played in 67 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 35.9 minutes, 14.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.6 blocked shots per game. Gasol has shot 58.3% from the floor this season which is pretty amazing. It’s very possible that Marc Gasol will be better than his brother down the road and that would be great for the Grizzlies.

Power forward Zach Randolph has fit in perfectly with the younger players on the Grizzlies. He has played in 51 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 37.5 minutes, 20.5 points, 11.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Randolph has been excellent on the court for the Grizzlies and he hasn’t caused any problems off the court. He had a reputation of being a selfish player but I have not seen any of that in Memphis.

2nd year shooting guard O.J. Mayo is doing a great job again this season for the Grizzlies. He has played in 40 games (40 starts) and he is averaging 38.2 minutes, 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. The Grizzlies have great balance on offense and Mayo is a big part of that because he is not selfish with the ball despite being a outstanding basketball player. That is was has made the Grizzlies so tough this season and that is because they are playing team basketball. I have no doubts that Mayo could probably score 23-25 points per game but the team is better because he isn’t.