NBA: 4 Ways Memphis Grizzlies Benefit from Lockout

A few weeks ago I wrote about how the Memphis Grizzlies would be hurt by a missed season due to the lockout. A young team like the Grizzlies would like to begin NBA play as soon as possible so that they may show continued growth.  

Now, negotiations between the players' association and the owners drag on with little hope that the beginning of the season will be saved.

With the likelihood of games being cancelled, a bright eye shall be cast upon possible fruitfulness of lockout time. While the lockout is mostly a loss, the Grizzlies still have some things to gain through the lockout.

Following are a few ways the Grizzlies will benefit from the lockout.

Zach Randolph Must Wait for His New Contract to Kick in

Zach Randolph needs every reason to stay hungry for victory. In April, Randolph signed a four-year, $71 million extension. That's a cushy figure to stay with the small-market Grizzlies.

If Randolph has thought at all about easing off once the season starts, he may erase those thoughts as the lockout continues. Randolph can't expect to sit comfortably with his new contract yet since it won't begin until the lockout ends.  

Granted, Randolph appears to be working as hard as ever. Randolph touts his chameleon training to be much tougher than any training he did previously.  

Also, he has stayed active, practicing with Grizzlies teammates and playing in Impact Basketball. Randolph would have to find extra inspiration wherever he plays with Gasol.

The longer the lockout lasts, the longer Randolph must wait for his new contract to begin. That means Randolph must work more to show his continued value.

Marc Gasol Can Work on His Shooting

Marc Gasol slipped a bit as a shooter last season. His field-goal percentage fell from a Grizzlies record 58.1 percent to 52.7 percent. That was a significant drop.

Something must have happened. Perhaps, he attracted added pressure with Rudy Gay injured late in the season. However, that would have only accounted for part of the drop.

Whatever the reason may be, Gasol has extra time to work on his shot. He can regain whatever had been missing last season. Zach Randolph will accompany him in playing wherever he chooses to play if regular season games are cancelled.

While the European game won't give him all of the challenges he needs to improve his shooting, Randolph will be able to practice with him, simulating the interior defense that Gasol would see in the NBA.

Gasol didn't shoot very well in the EuroBasket tournament. He shot only 50 percent while scoring 13.3 points per game. More competition and more practice will help Gasol.

Josh Selby Can Build His Game

Josh Selby was an interesting pick by the Grizzlies. Picked late in the second round (49th overall), Selby did not get as many looks as he did the year before.

Selby went from being a blue-chip prospect to a draft sleeper in a year. In 2010, ESPN ranked him fifth among college recruits. CBSSports.com writer Gary Parrish cast doubt on Selby when he entered the draft.

Meanwhile, Randolph has spoken highly of Selby. Randolph called him "the steal of the draft."

In order to prove Randolph and the Grizzlies right, and the critics wrong, Selby must work hard to build his game during the lockout.  

Selby has played in the Melo League and Impact Basketball. His play in Impact Basketball impressed Kurt Helin of Probasketballtalk.com with his athleticism.

As Selby continues to play competitively, he can become a bit more acclimated to the style of other NBA players. While he won't gain a great sense of the speed and rhythm of the NBA, he will be able to learn from NBA players and get experience competing with them.

Lionel Hollins Has More Time to Strategize

For Lionel Hollins, as well as any coach, no amount of time is enough to make strategic decisions.

Hollins has many decisions to make regarding his team. He must find a fruitful way to assess the loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. Also, Hollins must find a way to motivate his players to reach the next level.

Hollins benefits from having Rudy Gay come back with extra recovery time from elbow surgery. If the league were in operation when Gay returned from rehab, he may have been joining the team in the midst of preseason workouts.  

Since Gay has extra time to work back into full form, he will be closer to full form when the lockout ends. Thus, Hollins will have a clearer idea of how to factor him into the offense.