The Memphis Grizzlies with no downtime in transition
The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a 4-0 start. According to Basketball-Reference, they rank 10th in scoring per 100 possessions and 8th defensively despite playing a relatively average schedule so far. Their undefeated record might overstate how good they really are, but they're already exceeding the vast majority of preseason expectations.
For me, though, it's less about the results and more about the process. The Grizzlies aren't exactly overflowing with offensive firepower, but they're finding ways to put their players in positions to succeed while squeezing every possible advantage out of the margins (which, as you might have guessed, is exactly what I'll be shouting out on this site!) to help close the talent gap. Memphis embodies that approach with its commitment to eliminating downtime. Here's Part 1 of a look at how they're doing it offensively.
We've known for years that the longer it takes to initiate offense, the less efficient an offense tends to be. The idea is simple: look for an easy basket early against a defense that isn't set. If it's not there, get into your halfcourt offense as quickly as possible to give yourself more time to create a great shot, rather than being forced into the final seconds of the shot clock when offenses are typically least efficient.
By the numbers, the Grizzlies' transition attack doesn't necessarily jump off the page. Memphis is averaging 12.3 seconds before attempting a shot following defensive rebounds, ranking 11th in speed and 10th in efficiency, per InPredictable.
Watch them play, though, and their commitment to pushing the pace is unmistakable. Memphis players are constantly sprinting the floor, even when it's not immediately clear they'll be the ones scoring or getting anything in return for the energy they're expending. They're not just running when it's convenient or when there's an obvious scoring opportunity waiting for them at the other end.
Like all fast-paced teams, the Grizzlies' attack is especially dangerous when opponents turn the ball over, take bad 2's that leave them on the floor, off balance, or out of position, crash the offensive glass recklessly, or fake hustle their way into getting caught behind the play in an instant.
For most players, consistently sprinting the floor is a tall task. They're being asked to run hard ten out of ten times knowing that, even in a best-case scenario, they might only be rewarded once or twice (and with no way of knowing which of those opportunities will turn into an easy basket). Yet if they don't always run, they'll never know which opportunities they missed.
The Grizzlies are capitalizing on opportunities other teams don't often create, and it's that commitment to running every time that makes the difference. Look at Isaiah Stewart and Cedric Coward both shoot out of a cannon on the possession below.
There's also no "point guard" coming back to get the ball or hanging around alongside it. Watch Ty Jerome sprint ahead of Jerami Grant here, creating just enough space for Grant to go coast-to-coast for the layup.
But take another look at the last two plays, and something else stands out: just how empowered the Grizzlies' rebounders are to initiate the break themselves. Both Cameron Boozer and Grant secure the rebound in the air and launch their bodies toward the other basket before their feet even touch the floor. There's no moment of relaxation or satisfaction with getting the defensive stop. Boozer gets rid of it like a hot potato. Grant pushes it himself. Everyone is already thinking about attacking the other end of the floor.
Boozer, in particular, seems to rebound like he has eyes in the back of his head or can predict the exact open spot where his Memphis teammate will be darting just as his fingertips touch the ball.
But this isn't just a big-man thing for the Grizzlies, it's a universal mentality. Watch Cam Spencer grab the rebound here and immediately pitch it ahead to the 6-foot-10, 250-pound freight train already approaching the Jazz logo.
Memphis isn't just trying to eliminate the time between securing a rebound and advancing the ball, they're looking to get a head start as soon as the possession changes. Watch Jaylen Wells beat Keyonte George down the floor here. The separation is imperceptible at first, but there's no lag between Wells' recognition of the impending change of possession and his initial strides down the floor. By the time George realizes he's in a race, Wells is already well ahead of him.
For a team without overwhelming offensive talent, these subtle advantages add up. And as you'll see in Part 2, the Grizzlies' commitment to eliminating downtime extends well beyond transition offense.