Why the Memphis Grizzlies Need Jeff Green Coming off the Bench
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger must soon determine the rotational spot for Jeff Green. After experimenting with the 6'9", 235-pound small forward in his initial run with the Grizzlies, it's clear Green's gifts and the Grizzlies' needs best match in a bench role.
In 10 games since the Grizzlies acquired him from the Boston Celtics, the seven-year veteran has shown his potency in several ways. He started with four games off the bench before a six-game stint in the starting lineup. Green has posted up, worked in isolation and made plays on fast breaks.
Joerger discussed how Green opens Memphis' offense, telling The Oklahoman's Anthony Slater, "Nobody can play off of anybody or scheme us as much. Jeff has been making his 3-point shots. He's a tremendous 3-point shooter from the corners. And it also gives us somebody at the end of the clock, a bailout guy, who if he's stuck with the ball can go get us a shot."
He may have shot 38.6 percent en route to 14.8 points per game off the bench, compared with 45 percent in scoring 10.8 per game as a starter. But for this volume shooter, getting buckets in the proper role is more important than simple efficiency.
Scoring
Green injects intriguing offensive firepower. He's scored in double figures seven times for Memphis. He shot 8-of-13 from long range in four games before missing his quartet of treys against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While he averages 14.4 points per game for his career, one must bear in mind that he filled a scoring vacuum on a rebuilding Boston squad and that he's prone to shooting streaks.
The starting lineup, which must already spread shots between Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph and Courtney Lee, doesn't need a gunner as much as the reserves.
Memphis' second unit requires additional shooting and floor spacing with the absence of Vince Carter due to a partially torn tendon in his left foot. Even if Carter, who, per The Commercial Appeal's Ron Tillery, will be evaluated weekly, comes back soon, he hasn't become the high-volume outside shooter the Grizzlies expected him to be.
Green, who has made 31.6 percent, could help three-point shooting for a reserve group that doesn't have anyone hitting 30 percent from long range.
Also, he should boost a unit that sometimes hasn't helped put teams away. On Jan. 17, a set of mostly reserves shot 0-of-7 as the Portland Trail Blazers went on a 12-2 fourth-quarter run before Memphis finished the job.
Helping the bench defense
Green delivers a jolt of aggression on the other end, battling ball-handlers one-on-one.
The Commercial Appeal's Chris Herrington noted Green's ability to defend long perimeter players.
That capacity would aid Memphis' reserve backcourt players, who need help. Beno Udrih, who was never much of a defender, allows 105 points per 100 possessions.
With his length, Green can help the Grizzlies recover from lapses by Udrih and others.
After allowing 111 points per 100 possessions in his first 14 games, Nick Calathes has collected 1.7 steals per game in the past 10 contests while allowing 89. Pairing him with another fierce defender would provide a boost.
Satisfying Tony Allen's need to start
In the back of his mind, Joerger must ponder the effect of starting Green instead of Allen, who has played his last three games as a reserve.
Allen is central to Memphis' intense defensive attack, which has taken a backseat while the offense blossomed this year. He's the Grizzlies' biggest turnover catalyst with a league-leading 4.1 percent steals rate. The men in blue allow 8.3 fewer points per 100 possessions with the 33-year-old on the floor.
While Allen has allowed 80 points per 100 possessions since going to the bench, Joerger should hold last April as a reminder of the peril of upsetting the emotionally delicate stopper. Allen, who had lost his starting spot to Courtney Lee after returning from an injury, soured on his role and showed it in his performance, allowing 106 per 100 as Memphis lost four of six near the season's end.
The Memphis Flyer's Kevin Lipe noted that the defensive leader's attitude had almost become a distraction.
When asked by The Commercial Appeal's Ron Tillery on Jan. 25 about the prospect of a long-term backup role, Allen responded diffidently, saying, "You just look at it and you just be ready to play when your name is called. You can't control what the coaching staff comes up with."
Tillery mentioned Joerger said in the offseason that Allen performed better as a starter.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Grizzlies need strong play from each unit. Bringing Green off the bench adds defensive muscle to a group that isn't as tight patrolling the perimeter, while starting Allen allows him more opportunities to contain the best opposing ball-handlers.
Green would add fresh shooting as a sixth man, whereas putting him in the starting lineup would give him fewer opportunities to flourish, as he would compete for shots with proven scorers.
Statistics are current through Feb. 1 games. Unless otherwise noted, advanced metrics come from basketball-reference.com.
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