It is the time of year for people to think of ways to better themselves. Out with the old, in with the new, right? Gyms across America are filled to the gills with folks ready to make 2025 the year they get that beach body they’ve always wanted...
And then by the end of January the treadmills and weight benches will be available once more for the everyday gym rats that never left.
The Memphis Grizzlies, while they are indeed the #2 seed in the Western Conference to start 2025, have areas they can be better in as well. It may not involve being in better shape - their pace has been a topic of conversation throughout the season so far.
But growth is possible. Here’s where the very good Grizzlies can be even better.
Turnovers. Everydayers of Locked on Grizzlies know that this is a focal point of ours almost every episode. And yes, Memphis plays at such a pace that some turnovers are to be expected. When you’re the fastest offense in the NBA that happens.
But the Memphis Grizzlies currently have a turnover rate that is their worst since the 2008-2009 season. Per Cleaning the Glass, their 16.4% turnover percentage is 26th in the NBA. There’s only 30 teams in the Association.
In the main efficiency stats that Cleaning the Glass tracks, this is where Memphis falls short the most.
And in terms of individual players, it’s not the names you’d expect given usage rate. Ja Morant (45th percentile) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (73rd percentile) are two of the three highest usage players on the team and yet are middle of the road to above average in this area.
Jake LaRavia (in the 1st percentile in turnover rate, literally the worst among forwards), Scotty Pippen Jr., Marcus Smart, and Zach Edey however? They have rates among the worst in the NBA. And in the case of LaRavia/Pippen Jr./Smart, those are facilitators that are depended on.
Desmond Bane’s numbers aren’t quite as bad as theirs (13.6%), but his usage is so much higher that the impact is significant. And when possessions are lost, those are missed chances to score and gained ones for the opponent.
Against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis had 21 turnovers and 33 points were scored by OKC off those turnovers. That makes a massive difference in winning and losing.
Per Cleaning the Glass the Grizzlies foul too often and are 23rd in free throws attempted by their opponents, and they also struggle giving up offensive rebounds - they’re 20th in the NBA there. But turnovers often times come from self-inflicted wounds. Poor passes, bad screens, missed reads and forced actions can all play a role.
The good news there? It’s fixable. Personnel can struggle on the glass, and Memphis has fouled too much for a long time. That’s indicative of the defensive scheme as some turnovers are of the offensive one.
But protecting possessions can be measured and prioritized. Hopefully it will be in the new year.
