National Basketball Association

Film Room: Can Chandler Parsons fill a LeBron-eque role in Memphis?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Film Room series will take a look at video to see what we think the Grizzlies’ offense will look like this season. A lot of talk has been made about David Fizdale’s offensive schemes coming with him to Memphis. It seems that he will be combining some classic Grizzlies sets with a newer, more modern offense for today’s NBA game. Part 1 of this series will look at how Chandler Parsons plays a key role in this transition.

Mar 20, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks injured forward Chandler Parsons (25) during a timeout from the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

As a coach, the best way to prepare for an upcoming game is to scout the opposing team. Seeing as we here at Beale Street Bears unfortunately lack the ability to travel in time, we have to analyze game film from the past to see where some influences can be made. Chandler Parsons is a ballhandling forward with 3-point range and the ability to facilitate out of the pick and roll. Has coach David Fizdale ever had a player like that?

Let’s be clear. I am not trying to compare Chandler Parsons to LeBron James. Parsons has better hair and is more likely to snap an Instagram picture with you at a concert somewhere. LeBron is one of the top basketball players in the history of the sport. The goal is to watch LeBron’s role in the Miami offense and see how Parsons could fill the same role on this team.

Stretch Four Capabilities

The first two plays shown are LeBron facilitating out of the transition attack and this screams Chandler at the 4 with a bench unit of shooters and now I’m irrationally excited about it.

Play No. 3? LeBron and Chalmers running a pick and roll with LeBron as the ballhandler. Chalmers scores an easy layup. P.S. Chris Wallace, make this happen.

The next four plays in the video go as follows: James jumper, James iso from the elbow, James jumper, James unbelievable play in transition. These looks are available because of the mismatches and space created by playing LeBron as a four with shooters surrounding him on the perimeter.

The two jumpers are long 2s, which is something something Parsons will attempt in limited numbers all season. The look from the elbow is incredibly enticing because it would put the ball in Parsons’ hands in an isolation while others screen off the ball. This would eliminate the help side and unlock Tony Allen’s unreal backdoor cutting ability.

Pick and Roll Ball Handler

Mar 18, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

More fun Chalmers-James stuff ensues. I am looking forward to Conley and Parsons having this same type of synergy. The Miami Heat in the “Big 3” era loved using their guards as the screener in the ballscreen. The Heat used this often in an attempt to get smaller guards to switch onto LeBron with the hopes of letting him eat them alive off the dribble. In the video, you witness LeBron brutalize Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili off the dribble repeatedly.
This is a great action that the Grizz could easily replicate.

Parsons as the ball handler getting screened by a guard creates a double mismatch. Guards tend to struggle more with guarding the ballscreen as a screener because they are not normally asked to do so. They would then be at a significant height disadvantage against Parsons and this would also open up room for a Mike Conley drive off the catch back from Parsons. In this scenario, Conley will have a big on him that will struggle containing his speed on the perimeter.

Last Season’s Numbers

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/share.fcgi?id=RTPnH

Observing data from the table, Parsons’ season last year was a mini-LeBron in many ways with Parsons being notably ahead in one category: 3-point shooting attempts and percentage. If he can keep those shooting numbers in line with a slight uptick in assists look for Parsons to be especially dangerous this season.