- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,208,154
- Reaction score
- 59
The Memphis Grizzlies are officially one of the NBA's "young core" teams.
The youth movement is underway. Memphis is rebuilding. Looking at this roster, every player that's worth accounting for is under 25.
As such, barring a shocking turn of events, they won't win the 2026-27 NBA championship. That's fine. That isn't the goal. The objective is to see positive development from the Grizzlies' young guys. They want to see their young core grow together.
Above all else, that'll mean a strong rookie season from Cameron Boozer. He's their franchise player. All Grizzlies discussion will revolve around him for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, the Grizzlies would love if one of their young players would emerge as a long-term second option for Boozer. Most would point to Cedric Coward for that role, but the Grizzlies will need him to start hitting more threes than he has in Salt Lake City if that's the plan.
So far, Coward is 6-of-21 (28.6%) from deep in Salt Lake City.
Granted, that's over two games. Anyone can have a cold streak. The less comfortable truth is that Coward didn't shoot the three-pointer exceptionally well during his 2025-26 rookie campaign either. He hit 33.8% of the 4.4 threes he attempted per game last year.
It's a fine (albeit, unimpressive) mark if a team isn't depending on a player for three-point volume. Unfortunately for Coward, in today's NBA, that's a likely responsibility for a second option.
Yes, Boozer can shoot threes. That's important. Still, he'll be expected to have the ball in his hands. Whoever is flanking him and carrying the rest of the offense would ideally be spacing the floor while he's operating.
Whether Coward can be that guy remains to be seen.
Coward doesn't need to be a second option to pan out as an 11th overall pick. He's already exceeding draft expectations. Coward is a strong defender who can create his own shot from the midrange area. There will be a role for him in the NBA.
That said, it doesn't matter what that role is, he'll do better in it if he's a three-point shooter. That's just NBA basketball in 2026. If Coward puts Memphis behind in the math game, they'll adjust their reliance on him.
So, the Grizzlies will want Coward to improve on his three-point shooting no matter what their future looks like. If all goes according to plan, he'll be a huge part of it.
Grizzlies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Grizzlies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.g
Continue reading...
The youth movement is underway. Memphis is rebuilding. Looking at this roster, every player that's worth accounting for is under 25.
As such, barring a shocking turn of events, they won't win the 2026-27 NBA championship. That's fine. That isn't the goal. The objective is to see positive development from the Grizzlies' young guys. They want to see their young core grow together.
Above all else, that'll mean a strong rookie season from Cameron Boozer. He's their franchise player. All Grizzlies discussion will revolve around him for the foreseeable future. Otherwise, the Grizzlies would love if one of their young players would emerge as a long-term second option for Boozer. Most would point to Cedric Coward for that role, but the Grizzlies will need him to start hitting more threes than he has in Salt Lake City if that's the plan.
Grizzlies' Coward Struggling From Beyond the Arc
So far, Coward is 6-of-21 (28.6%) from deep in Salt Lake City.
Granted, that's over two games. Anyone can have a cold streak. The less comfortable truth is that Coward didn't shoot the three-pointer exceptionally well during his 2025-26 rookie campaign either. He hit 33.8% of the 4.4 threes he attempted per game last year.
It's a fine (albeit, unimpressive) mark if a team isn't depending on a player for three-point volume. Unfortunately for Coward, in today's NBA, that's a likely responsibility for a second option.
Yes, Boozer can shoot threes. That's important. Still, he'll be expected to have the ball in his hands. Whoever is flanking him and carrying the rest of the offense would ideally be spacing the floor while he's operating.
Whether Coward can be that guy remains to be seen.
Grizzlies Shouldn't Overreact to Coward's Shooting
Coward doesn't need to be a second option to pan out as an 11th overall pick. He's already exceeding draft expectations. Coward is a strong defender who can create his own shot from the midrange area. There will be a role for him in the NBA.
That said, it doesn't matter what that role is, he'll do better in it if he's a three-point shooter. That's just NBA basketball in 2026. If Coward puts Memphis behind in the math game, they'll adjust their reliance on him.
So, the Grizzlies will want Coward to improve on his three-point shooting no matter what their future looks like. If all goes according to plan, he'll be a huge part of it.
Grizzlies Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Grizzlies. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.g
Continue reading...
