How does Anderson fit in Grizzlies’ lineup?
Versatility. Switchability. Length. Watchwords of the modern NBA. Over the last month, the Grizzlies added those modern components while hearkening back to the defensive-minded approach that made the team so successful. Their acquisitions in the Draft —Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Jevon Carter — cover both the modern and the oldschool. But it was signing Kyle Anderson, the man they call “Slow-Mo” that sealed the deal on a fascinating summer. How do you make all these pieces fit, especially if Anderson, as expected, starts at small forward?
The centerpieces
This much is known: Everything begins with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. They are guaranteed starters. As long as they are healthy, they will play heavy minutes. They have an almost psychic bond on the floor, with their two-man game still capable of causing opponents
trouble in myriad ways. If the Grizzlies are going to have any chance at making the playoffs next season, it will be largely because of them.
It’s what to do with the other two spots that may confound the Grizzlies’ coaches. There are decisions to be made for each — at the power forward spot, will the Grizzlies choose to throw Jackson straight into the fire and start him right away, or do they stick with the incumbent, JaMychal Green? Dillon Brooks played a lot as a small forward during his rookie year, but will be in the mix as the shooting guard, along with Wayne Selden and MarShon Brooks. Decisions, decisions.
Anderson opens up options
For the first time in a while, the Grizzlies will be able to field a team full of guys who can play well on both ends of the floor. Too often of late the Grizzlies have played heavily offense- or defensefocused players who offered little on the other side. That should be different this season, even if some of the players will be inexperienced or unaccustomed to playing big roles.
Anderson at the small forward spot means they’ll be very sound defensively and will pass the ball well. How, though, will they deal with his poor shooting? Though he’ll be listed as the small forward, the truth is in those situations, he’ll probably end up playing in a lot of places on the floor you’d normally expect to see the power forward, while making a lot of passes you’d expect from the point guard. That’s why the power forward next to him is going to have to be able to space the floor and make threes. Both Jackson and Green can do that, and they’ll have to, as will Gasol. The Grizzlies will be able to put out lineups that feature four solid threepoint shooters. Anderson will be tasked with finding them. His presence will also allow for Conley to spend even more time off the ball, turning him into more of a shooting guard. Conley’s been excellent in that role, but in order to make it happen, the Grizzlies have had to play him alongside a second point guard like Andrew Harrison. Now, they can leave the shooting guard spot open for a more effective scorer like Dillon Brooks, MarShon Brooks, or Wayne Selden. That should give the Grizzlies more scoring punch more often.
Could the Grizzlies go with super-big lineups that would feature Anderson as the shooting guard? It would be unconventional, but not unheard of — Anderson did occasionally play at the shooting guard spot for San Antonio. For the Grizzlies, such a group might feature Anderson and Conley playing with new signing Omri Casspi, Parsons, and another big. That lineup would feature four players at 6-9 or above, tons of size and length for opponents to deal with — and, in all likelihood, defensive issues for the Grizzlies against quicker guards.
Anderson also played a lot of time as a power forward. Many would argue it’s his most natural position. For the Grizzlies, that means he’s part of a list of no less than eight players who could play there: Anderson, Jackson, Parsons, Green, Casspi, Deyonta Davis, Jarell Martin, and Ivan Rabb. That’s quite a potential logjam. How that gets sorted out will go a long way toward revealing how the team is going to play.
Anderson’s a Swiss Army Knife, able to fill any number of roles when needed, but perhaps not a natural at any of them, at least not yet. He’s a point guard in a power forward’s body, a player with a quick mind but slow feet, a walking contradiction in so many ways. For the Grizzlies to get the most out of him and for Anderson to live up to the terms of his lucrative new contract, they — and he — must find the right fit.
Peter Edmiston covers the Grizzlies for The Commercial Appeal.