As a Grizzlies fan looking forward to the upcoming 2024-25 season, I have seen a couple comments right here in r/NBA that pose the question “What other team would do any better with 7 of their rotation out” and luckily for you, I am here to answer it (or at least make you think about it).
First, the context. For those of you who have been lucky enough to not catch a Grizzlies game, you may not be aware that currently, the team is playing with 6 key pieces of their rotation and Jake LaRavia out. To keep this as fair as possible, I have used the extremely reliable and smart minds at 2K games to assign each players ranking based on their overall. Now arguably, you could deem some players more “important” to the team than their in game overall may consider, but I’ll be honest this took long enough as it is so I will purposely ignore those opinions.
Grizzlies Injury Report
Brandon Clarke - PF/C, no timeline for return (Achilles), 77 OVR (6th best player)
Steven Adams - C, no timeline for return (Knee), 80 OVR (5th best player)
Marcus Smart - PG/SG, 3-5 weeks (Ankle), 82 OVR (4th best player)
Luke Kennard - SG/SF, re-evaluated in 2 weeks (Knee), 75 OVR (9th best player, not counting Jaylen Nowell - who is higher for some reason - as he’s on a 10 day and it doesn’t fit my agenda)
Xavier Tillman - C/PF, week to week (knee), 76 OVR (7th best player)
Jake LaRavia - SF/PF, re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks (Eye), 72 OVR (15th best player)
Ja Morant - PG, fucked around and found out, 9 more games (Suspension), 92 OVR (best player)
This gives us the 10 man rotation of:
PG - Jacob Gilyard
SG - Desmond Bane
SF - Santi Aldama
PF - Jaren Jackson Jr
C - Bismack Biyombo
Bench - Derrick Rose, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, John Konchar, Kenny Lofton Jr.
Now, if we were to apply this logic/ranking removal to every other team in the league, who would be your winner for the inaugural injury cup?
Hawks
PG - Dejounte Murray
SG - Patty Mills (TIL Patty is on the hawks)
SF - Wesley Matthews
PF - Sadiq Bey
C - Clint Capela
Bench - Bruno Fernando, Kobe Bufkin, Garrison Matthews, Mouhmad Gueye, Seth Lundy
Celtics
PG - Dalano Banton
SG - Jaylen Brown
SF - Lamar Stevens
PF - Sam Hauser
C - Kristaps Porzingis
Bench - Luke Kornet, Oshae Brissett, Nathan Knight, Neemias Queta, JD Davison
Nets
PG - Dennis Smith Jr
SG - Cam Thomas
SF - Dariq Whitehead
PF - Nic Claxton
C - Ben Simmons
Bench - Trendon Watford, Day’Ron Sharpe, Noah Clowney, Harry Giles III, Armoni Brooks
Hornets
PG - Ish Smith
SG - Terry Rozier III
SF - Gordan Hayward
PF - J.T. Thor
C - Nick Richards
Bench - Frank Ntilikina, Theo Maledon, Nick Smith Jr, James Bouknight, Amari Bailey
Bulls
PG - Jevon Carter
SG - Zach Lavine (2K really have DeRozan higher)
SF - Torrey Craig
PF - Terry Taylor
C - Nikola Vucevic
Bench - Ayo Donsunmu, Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips, Onuralp Bitim, Justin Lewis
Cavaliers
PG - Darius Garland
SG - Ricky Rubio
SF - Georges Niang
PF - Evan Mobley
C - Tristan Thompson
Bench - Georges Niang, Damian Jones, Dean Wade, Isaiah Mobley, Emoni Bates
Mavericks
PG - Kyrie Irving
SG - Tim Hardaway Jr.
SF - Josh Green
PF - Maxi Kleber
C - Richaun Holmes
Bench - Derrick Jones Jr., Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Markieff Morris, Dante Exum, Dexter Dennis
Nuggets
PG - Jamal Murray
SG - Reggie Jackson
SF - Julian Strawther
PF - Aaron Gordan
C - DeAndre Jordan
Bench - Justin Holiday, Vlatko Cancar, Hunter Tyson, Collin Gillespie, Jay Huff
Pistons
PG - Marcus Sasser
SG - Ausar Thompson
SF - Joe Harris
PF - isaiah Stewart
C - Jalen Duren
Bench - James Wiseman, Killian Hayes, Isaiah Livers, Jaren Rhoden, Malcolm Cazalon
Warriors
PG - Cory Joseph
SG - Klay Thompson
SF - Moses Moody
PF - Jonathan Kuminga
C - Draymond Green
Bench - Usman Garuba, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, Lester Quiñones
Rockets
PG - FVV
SG - Jalen Green
SF - Jae’Sean Tate
PF - Cam Whitmore
C - Jock Landale
Bench - Victor Oladipo, Reggie Bullock, Aaron Holiday, Nate Williams, Jermaine Samuels Jr.
Pacers
PG - Bruce Brown
SG - Andrew Nembhard
SF - Jordan Nwora
PF - Jalen Smith
C - Myles Turner
Bench - Isaiah Jackson, Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, Kendall Brown, Isaiah Wong
Clippers
PG - James Harden
SG - Terrance Mann
SF - Paul George
PF - PJ Tucker
C - Daniel Theis
Bench - Josh Primo, Brandon Boston Jr., Amir Coffey, Moussa Diabate, Jordan Miller
Lakers
PG - Austin Reaves
SG - Gabe Vincent
SF - Cam Reddish
PF - Anthony Davis
C - Jaxson Hayes
Bench - Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, Maxwell Lewis, Colin Castleton, D’Moi Hodge
Heat
PG - Tyler Herro
SG - RJ Hampton
SF - Jaime Jaquez Jr.
PF - Bam Adebayo
C - Thomas Bryant
Bench - Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, Orlando Robinson, Cole Swider, Dru Smith
Bucks
PG - Damian Lillard
SG - Pat Connaugton
SF - Khris Middleton
PF - Thanasis Antetokounmpo
C - Brook Lopez
Bench - Cam Payne, TyTy Washington, A.J. Green, Lindell Wigginton, Chris Livingston
Timberwolves
PG - Shake Milton
SG - Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SF - Troy Brown Jr.
PF - KAT
C - Rudy Gobert
Bench - Luka Garza, Wendell Moore Jr., Leonard Miller, Daishen Nix, Jaylen Clark
Pelicans
PG - CJ McCollum
SG - Jose Alvarado
SF - Brandon Ingram
PF - Jeremiah Robinson-Earl
C - Cody Zeller
Bench - Jordan Hawkins, Naji Marshall, Kira Lewis Jr., E.J Lidell, Dereon Seabron
Knicks
PG - Miles McBride
SG - Quentin Grimes
SF - R.J. Barrett
PF - Julius Randle
C - Jericho Sims
Bench - Evan Fournier, Dylan Windler, Duane Washington Jr., Ryan Arcidiacono, Charles Brown Jr.
Thunder
PG - Tre Mann
SG - Cason Wallace
SF - Jalen Williams
PF - Kenrich Williams
C - Chet Holmgren
Bench - Jaylin Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Ousmane Dieng, Davis Bertans, Keyontae Johnson
Magic
PG - Cole Anthony
SG - Gary Harris
SF - Franz Wagner
PF - Jonathan Isaac
C - Goga Bitadze
Bench - Anthony Black, Chuma Okeke, Jett Howard, Admiral Schofield, Kevon Harris
76ers
PG - Tyrese Maxey
SG - De’Anthony Melton
SF - Tobias Harris
PF - Robert Covington
C - Paul Reed
Bench - Nic Batum, Danuel House Jr., Jaden Springer, Javonte Smart, Terquavion Smith
Suns
PG - Devin Booker
SG - Bradley Beal
SF - Grayson Allen
PF - Keita Bates-Diop
C - Drew Eubanks
Bench - Chimezie Metu, Damion Lee, Yuta Watanabe, Jordan Goodwin, Saben Lee
Trail Blazers
PG - Malcolm Brogdon
SG - Scoot Henderson
SF - Shaedon Sharpe
PF - Ish Wainright
C - Moses Brown
Bench - Kris Murray, Toumani Camara, Skylar Mays, Justin Minaya, Duop Reath
Kings
PG - Davion Mitchell
SG - Malik Monk
SF - Chris Duarte
PF - Kessler Edwards
C - Domantas Sabonis
Bench - JaVale McGee, Colby Jones, Alex Len, Keon Ellis, Jordan Ford
Spurs
PG - Devonte Graham
SG - Devin Vassell
SF - Keldon Johnson
PF - Cedi Osman
C - Sandro Mamukelashvili
Bench - Doug McDermott, Blake Wesley, Sidy Cissoko, Sir’Jabari Rice, Dominick Barlow
Raptors
PG - Malachi Flynn
SG - OG Anunoby
SF - Jalen McDaniels
PF - Pascal Siakam
C - Precious Achiuwa
Bench - Christian Koloko, Otto Porter Jr., Gradey Dick, Javon Freeman-Liberty, Ron Harper Jr.
Jazz
PG - Kris Dunn
SG - Ochai Agbaji
SF - Taylor Hendricks
PF - John Collins
C - Walker Kessler
Bench - Omer Yurtseven, Keyonte George, Simone Fontecchio, Luka Samanic, Johnny Juzang
Wizards
PG - Jordan Poole
SG - Delon Wright
SF - Deni Avdija
PF - Bilal Coulibaly
C - Mike Muscala
Bench - Johnny Davis, Anthony Gill, Patrick Baldwin Jr., Eugene Omoruyi, Jared Butler
^God ^I ^hope ^the ^formatting ^worked ^on ^this
lol the Suns rotation in this looks better than their most recent game against the Knicks. Suns have still won 7 straight
Grizzlies fans still finding a back door into their hypothetical chip.
I’m just curious, where do you rank Santi Aldama on the team? I feel like you ranked everyone from 1st through 10th without him and he isn’t that bad
I like Clippers and Cavs
Ty for taking the time. It’s a cool post. I had no idea their situation was that bad. Is it going to work in their favor somehow with a draft pick or their salary space is good because they’re full of shitty players? Any ray of hope here?
If we can trade a lottery pick and some players it would be mice
Grizzlies have their own 2024 first round pick, so they will probably get a high pick. The 2024 class is considered pretty weak, however.
There’s no cap space over the summer at the moment because Desmond Bane’s extension kicks him (bumping his salary from ~4m to ~34m). But it’s possible Luke Kennard’s 15m team option is declined and Steven Adams’ 13m is relieved due to long-term degenerative knee injury issues (he may never play again, to be honest).
Didnt Rubio retire?
Not officially. He’s away from the team to deal with a mental health issue.
Damn I didn’t know that. That really sucks. He seems like a genuinely great person
The Heat
Spo will find a way to get that team to the ECF or the Finals.
He’s the primary reason why I picked the Heat lol.
Spo is MacGuyver
This is literally what Heat did last year right? Pretty sure we had more games missed due to injuries than any other team in the 22/23 season.
Man has been the bane of our fucking existence in this division ever since he got that job, i swear to god – there has been like 2-4 seasons since the Southeast Division was formed that either us or Miami didn’t win the division (I think Orlando won twice when Dwight was on the team and Washington might have won it once when John Wall made them super competitive).
It doesn’t matter if he’s gotta pull warm bodies from the local YMCA – they will somehow become local demigods for Miami. After Popovich, I think he’s the only coach in the league who you know he’d have to choose to leave his job if he wanted to stop coaching the team he’s with.
We have Tyler, Bam, and Mexican Jimmy Butler…this is just as good as the current team!
Bro it is 8am on a Monday, you okay?
This man went 2/3rds through Ja’s suspension and went full off season shit post
I don’t think any grizzly fans are okay right now lol.
Can confirm
What is basketball, anyway?
Only Memphis basketball I’ve ever heard of are the Tigers.
Who are these Memphis Grizzlies you speak of?
ONLY NINE MORE GAMES OF MISERY.
Then it’ll likely still be misery but with some cool dunks mixed in.
I read this as “Bam on a Monday”.
I think he was fired.
Imagine taking an hour to write this and the mods just delete it lol
I’d like to say Bucks but we’re starting Thanasis and Rolo lmao. Celtics, Clippers, Heat, Wolves & Suns I guess but Beal is injured.
This Clippers team would probably be better than the full strength one. Unbelievable roster construction. Mavs still look kinda legit. Bucks would be good if they get to bench Thanasis. Pelicans also don’t look that bad.
Posted at 7 am in Memphis… dude was up all night
There are some illegally bad rosters here my god. I like the Lakers or the Heat. A miracle playoffs from AD might keep that team just good enough defensively to win. I was going to take the Bucks but they’re starting Thanasis lol.
You could compile this in like 10 minutes with the right spreadsheet though
I’ve had that happen more than once on r/NBA and r/NFL.
That’s the landed gentry for you
Also jokes on him. Cavs already playing leaders. Still managing 500 ball
I still don’t understand why mods delete OC. Isn’t the point of Reddit that users choose what they want to see by upvoting? Quality OC will therefore make its way to the top organically while shitty OC will never be seen by anyone who doesn’t browse “new”. So why do mods need to insert themselves in it?
Here comes a wall of text because I’m bored at work and typing makes me sound productive.
Quality OC will therefore make its way to the top organically while shitty OC will never be seen by anyone
Sure, in some theoretical, libertarian-lead Reddit fantasy that might be true. But I moderate a close to 1m+ subreddit on another account and can promise you this isn’t the case.
For one, Reddit has a rising algorithm that pushes certain posts if it hits internal metrics/criteria. Image posts are heavily pushed compared to text posts. Video posts are more successful (anecdotally) if they use reddit’s built-in video player. And so on and so on. The same way that if you opened an Instagram account tomorrow and posted nothing but fantastic quality photos, you’d get nowhere unless you played the algorithm and the “game”, because that’s how Instagram works.
Number two, you’ve been conditioned by years of this to subconsciously prefer lowbrow/clickbait content. If it requires you to think or read, you’re probably not going to interact with it. You’re more likely to upvote a quick tweet or image, especially if it conforms to your existing biases. That’s just normal, we all do it. And that’s fine, honestly, until it drowns out any real discussion and the subreddit becomes a click generator. You probably like /r/nba because of the funny copypasta, memes, discussion with other fans, the sheer VOLUME of discussion, right? But you’d stop visiting if EVERY post was an ESPN intern’s Lebron graphic with just "🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐"as the title.
And finally, most importantly, users choose NOTHING on this website - bots do. Karma farmers do. Networks of accounts set up to push agendas, marketing campaigns, and interaction farming behaviour choose what you see. Reddit has a massive bot problem that you’re not aware of until you see what gets pushed through a moderation queue.
So moderators have to balance things by ensuring high quality content gets a platform. It can mean low-quality content being banned or special days for certain content. Sometimes rules have to be in place to prevent a race to the bottom. That said, some moderators take their roles WAY too seriously. It’s best to realise you have no power as a moderator to change Reddit policies and to just take steps to make your community as healthy as possible.
Because algorithm will show highly controversial nonsense due to it being highly engaged with.
Some people’s posts need to be filtered through an automod because they are that ridiculous. Also some people try to hide ragebait in longer posts.
But this thread seems to have been prematurely deleted for the most common reason, the mods hate the Grizzlies, and only like posts punching down at them.
Some moderation is needed to stop company’s from just boosting straight adds to the top of subreddits, still seems to happen anyways tho. No reason for posts like this tho
Then we have this sub filled with memes then.
They will delete this but leave up the debunked JJJ post
Remember when they left it up because “people are talking about it” and “it’s making news and is culturally relevant” but removed the fake Boston ref story because it was “misinformation”
Magic sneaky deep team. Which I think tracks. Doing well without someone I’d consider a top tier NBA player right now but no glaring hole in the rotation.
Doing well without someone I’d consider a top tier NBA player right now
and they also have two genuine budding superstars on their squad. They’re in a great position going forwards.
Paolo and Franz? I’m also guessing they mean Markelle Fultz for the top tier?
Nah they mean that they are a team that doesn’t have a top tier player, and are doing well despite that.
superstar is a bit generous
They also said budding. Budding doesn’t mean they will bloom.
Lowkey poetic my man
Oh yeah, and both just won a World Cup together!
The Magic have also had the most injuries of any team for the last 3-4 seasons (prior to the current season).
Imagine the Magic being so unlucky with injuries that Jonathan Isaac would be starting.
What’s funny is that in our most recent game, a win against the Pels, we started a lineup of guys who we would still have if we got Grizzed: Keyonte, Dunn, Fontecchio, Collins, and Yurtseven.
That’s basically been the Pelicans this season so far.
Yeah I was gonna say replace Jose for Hawk and that might be a real lineup we’ve played this year 😂
Pelicans get a boost because 2K rates Zion over BI.
Good god what a waste of brain cells
Someone send this to CliqueProductions so he can run a Franchise simulation of this ASAP.
It’s wild this boosts us from a barely making the play-in to a top-three contender in the East
Jokes on you, that’s literally just the same Wizards roster.