Versatility pays off as Griz win
New lineup combos pass test
What began as a comedy of errors with a bunch of moans and groans from the bench eventually put a smile on Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger’s face.
The Grizzlies’ 82-81 preseason win over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night in Philips Arena screamed what team management shopped for during the offseason: Versatility.
“It showed itself, didn’t it?” Joerger said. “We can trot out some different things with this group. We’re switchable. ... There’s some fun things that we can do.”
After the Griz fell behind 24-7 in the opening period due to horrendous shooting and six turnovers, Joerger began playing with the rotation. He used a small lineup with Mike Conley, Courtney Lee, Jeff Green, Matt Barnes and backup center Ryan Hollins.
Joerger also even showed a bigger-thannormal hand at one point when the Griz used Green at shooting guard with Barnes at small forward alongside Conley, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
“It’s good that we can do a combination of things,” Randolph said after leading the Griz with 19 points and 13 rebounds. “This is by far the most versatile team we’ve had. You saw Jeff and Matt can play together.”
Joerger acknowledged that the Green-Barnes combination on the wings showed promise. They were on the floor together in the fourth quarter when
the Griz pulled away and built a 13-point cushion.
One possession unfolded with Barnes leading a fast break. Barnes flipped the ball to Green in the middle of the lane. Green then found Tony Allen as he darted to the basket from the baseline.
Allen passed up a shot and immediately fired the basketball to the corner, where Barnes stood alone and buried a 3-pointer.
“I kind of like Jeff Green with Matt Barnes. We’re long,” Joerger said. “And if Tony is playing with them, they can both stretch and it gives Tony room to cut.”
Green and Lee started the first half on the wings. Allen and Lee started the second half, leaving a small bit of mystery as to the combination Joerger will favor Oct. 28 in the regular-season opener.
However, there was no doubt that both teams treated Wednesday night as if the game was a regular-season affair. Both coaches used a tight, deliberate rotation with Joerger distributing most of the minutes to eight players.
The only aberration was Brandan Wright’s absence. The forward/center is nursing a sore knee but called his injury minor. Hollins stepped in and logged 11 minutes, mostly anchoring the Grizzlies’ small-ball group.
“We’ve got a lot of ways we can play depending on who we’re playing and how were playing,” said Conley, who enjoyed a stretch playing off the ball next to backup point guard Beno Udrih. “It was one of those nights where we relied on switching things up with different guys in different positions.”
The Griz conclude their exhibition schedule Friday night at Orlando.
INJURY UPDATE
Lee left the game with 3:23 remaining in the third quarter with a right knee bruise. He suffered the injury while playing defense. Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague dribbled to the basket and banged knees with Lee.
“It’s just a little bone bruise. I’m a little sore. But I’m OK,” Lee said afterward. “I’ll be trying to get back out there (Thursday).”