National Basketball Association

Will the 2016-17 Brooklyn Nets Play Like the 2013-14 Memphis Grizzlies?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:53 p.m. ET

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Feb 10, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Courtney Lee (5) steals the ball from Brooklyn Nets small forward Joe Johnson (7) in front of Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets have an arsenal of new players at their disposal this upcoming season. It’s safe to say that new Nets coach, Kenny Atkinson, will have fun trying to figure out how these guys work. The 2016-17 Nets team vaguely resembles the 2013-14 Memphis Grizzlies.

If there’s one phrase that we’ve heard quite a lot this offseason from the Brooklyn Nets front office and players, it’s “Brooklyn Grit.” Of course, they have their promotional slogan, “We came to play,” but we haven’t heard that phrase thrown around nearly as much as we’ve heard guys like Kenny Atkinson and Sean Marks say “Brooklyn Grit.”

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“Brooklyn Grit” seems like a perfect way to describe this Nets team, as we’re entering the first year of Sean Mark’s rebuild. The phrase also suits gritty players like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Brook Lopez, as well as rookies Isaiah Whitehead and Caris LeVert. But is Coach Atkinson’s style of play going to represent the grit that he keeps talking about?

The last very good “Grit and Grind” team in the NBA was the 2013-14 Memphis Grizzlies, who were coached by Dave Joerger. Does Brooklyn have a chance to become a similar team to what Memphis put out on the floor that year? Maybe, but from what it sounds like, Atkinson would like to have his team be more of a running team, and one that can get out on the fast break and flat out score the basketball. Atkinson certainly has players that can play and adjust to either a gritty or running style of basketball, so it’ll be interesting to see which direction he will go in during his first season in Brooklyn.

As far as “Grit and Grind” goes, the Nets have very similar players and pieces to the one that Memphis had during the 2013-14 season. Many of the guys show similarities to one player or another on that roster and can possibly play a similar role to one of those guys from Memphis, if Atkinson chooses to lead the team in that direction come October.

Sep 26, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) poses for a picture at Don Poier Media Center. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson vs. Tony Allen

Rondae Hollis Jefferson (2015-16): 5.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG

Tony Allen (2013-14): 9.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

If there’s one clear comparison between a current Nets player and a player from the Grizzlies during 2013-14, it has to be between Nets’ second year swingman Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Memphis’ Tony Allen.

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Allen is one of the first guys that comes to mind when you think of the word “defense.” He has been a part of some great teams, and is just a piece that the Grizzlies put to defend other great players to help win ball games. Both Hollis-Jefferson and Allen have a nose for the ball, and they prove it with the hustle they provide their teams every night.

Jan 14, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the first half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Brook Lopez vs. Marc Gasol

Brook Lopez (2015-16): 20.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.7 BPG

Marc Gasol (2013-14): 14.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG

The second comparison, which many of you probably saw coming, is between Brook Lopez and Marc Gasol. Both of these guys are currently top-five centers in the NBA and have battled some injuries as of late.

They are also both considered “throwback centers,” which means that they aren’t the kind of centers who run up the court and chuck up a three pointer. Rather, they’re big, slow, and can flat out dominate players from the inside. Adjusting the game to their center’s style of play is something the Grizzlies implemented into their game, and the Nets should look into doing so as well.

Feb 10, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Bojan Bogdanovic (44) drives against Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Courtney Lee (5) during the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Kilpatrick vs. Courtney Lee

Sean Kilpatrick (2015-16): 13.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.4 SPG

Courtney Lee (2013-14): 11.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.9 SPG

The next comparison is one many people wouldn’t expect, and that’s how similar Sean Kilpatrick and Courtney Lee are as players. Physically, they are completely different, but if you look into their styles of play and the fact that they are both shooting guards, you see very strong traits exuded by both of them.

Both don’t need much time to pull up and find a shot. Additionally, both are strictly about shooting and at times, can’t get deadly from behind the arc. Finally, both are spark plugs, even when they start for their teams. Starting or coming off the bench, they can turn the game around just like that for their respective teams. and that’s why they’re so similar and a vital piece to their teams.

Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Trevor Booker (33) goes up for a dunk against Los Angeles Lakers forward Ed Davis (21) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Booker vs. Ed Davis

Trevor Booker (2015-16): 5.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 0.5 BPG

Ed Davis (2013-14): 5.7 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.7 BPG

The final comparison is a little out there, but understandable. That would be the comparison between big men Ed Davis and the Nets’ newly-acquired Trevor Booker. Both aren’t flashy by any means, but they do their work and get the job done. In addition, both have averaged around six to nine points and rebounds in every season of their career.

Booker and Davis are viewed as guys that aren’t exactly great players, but as guys that won’t hurt to have on your roster. The reason for this is because they do all the small things for a team. They won’t go out and splash three pointers, throw down vicious slam dunks, or even cross up players, but they will do all the fundamentally sound things that a team needs. This is exactly what Sean Marks seems to be looking for in his players: guys who flat out know their role and don’t mind playing those roles.

Oct 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Thaddeus Young (33) during the game at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 105 -101. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Honorable Mention: Thaddeus Young vs. Zach Randolph

Thaddeus Young (2015-16): 15.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 0.5 BPG

Zach Randolph (2013-14): 17.4 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 0.3 BPG

An honorable mention is the comparison between Thaddeus Young and Zach Randolph. Of course, the Nets traded Young this offseason to the Indiana Pacers, so that is the reason this is labeled as an honorable mention.

Just say that the Nets didn’t trade Young though. Young and Randolph actually have very similar games, despite their vastly different body types. Both are strong lefties who aren’t that great at shooting the basketball. but can certainly attack players down in the paint and perform a number of crafty spin moves. Also, both Young and Randolph are great rebounders and big compliments to whatever center they are paired with in the frontcourt.

May 16, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks introduces new head coach Kenny Atkinson at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Final Thoughts

So will Kenny Atkinson go with the “Grit and Grind” style of play? It’s hard to say, but we do know that he has some players at his disposal if he chooses to go that route. It’s also important to note that we may see a lot of ball movement and three-point shooting from Brooklyn.

However, with the players Atkinson has, he can play the game the same way previous Memphis teams have, or even a team like the Boston Celtics. That’s exactly why Nets fans, including me, are excited to see how this unique team will play this season and in the seasons to come.

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