Memphis
Grizzlies
Southwest
| 2010-11 Team Rating | |
| Offense | Defense |
| 102.1 | 102.5 |
| 21st Overall | 12th Overall |
Stats through Jan. 15
W
19
L
21
PCT
.475
GB
15
CONF
13-13
DIV
2-4
HOME
12-6
ROAD
7-15
LinksVideo | Statistics | Tickets | Team
|
Category | Grade | ||
 Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph are putting up the kind of individual stats that are worthy of All-Star notice. But neither has stepped up to lift -- drag? -- the Grizzlies to the next level.
|
C |
||
 O.J. Mayo didn't like going to the bench and his response has the Grizzlies looking to trade him. Mike Conley has improved, but not enough. Rookie Xavier Henry C-is hurt.
|
C- |
||
 There are far too many nights when they seem to take the floor with the attitude that they'll just try to outscore the opponent rather than making the slightest effort to defend anyone.
|
C- |
||
 It was coach Lionel Hollins' intention to take Mayo out of the starting lineup in order to jumpstart his bench. Instead Mayo's demeanor has gone south.
|
D |
||
 Hollins is frustrated that his "young veterans" Gay and Mayo do not compete with a high energy level every night and now he's pleading for more changes to an unstable franchise.
|
C |
||
C-
Summary
Following the Grizzlies is like riding a carousel. In the end it never really gets you anywhere.
Overall, Memphis is the second-youngest team in the NBA and so much youth should usually excuse mistakes. But the core of the team -- Gay, Mayo, Randolph, Conley and Marc Gasol -- are hardly wet behind the ears and should no longer have the fall-back position of being new pups who are still finding their way.
The Grizzlies are capable enough to win three straight games over the Lakers, Thunder and Jazz and unfocused and uncommitted enough to also lose to cellar dwellers such as the Wizards and Cavaliers.
The bottom line is that there is enough raw talent on the roster to take a step up in the standings. But they continue to perform as less than the sum of their parts and that could have them on the outside of the playoffs once again.
--Fran Blinebury
Explanation of Marking System
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use. | Ad Choices 
NBA.com is part of Turner Sports Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network.
