
Each decade in the NBA has been defined by a dominant offensive philosophy. The 1980s were post-up heavy. The 2000s saw a steady diet of isolation plays. The 2020s is the decade of ball screens.
Except Memphis didn’t get the memo.
Their unorthodox offense isn’t holding them back, though. The Grizzlies are currently averaging a league-best 123 points per game. Just a year ago, they averaged 105.8, ranking dead last. Their unique offensive playstyle deserves much of the credit for this jump.
To see where this new offensive system comes from, look no further than the Memphis Grizzlies’ new assistant coaches. Tuomas Iisalo and Noah LaRoche. Both coaches focus on fast-paced offense, with lots of passing and cutting, and their influence on the Grizzlies is clear.
LaRoche became known for his simple yet effective offense at the collegiate level. His system revolved around the idea of “drive left, move left”. When a ball handler drives in a certain direction—left or right—the other four players move in that same direction. Those around the perimeter rotate to the spot next to them—in the direction of the drive—while the player in the corner—towards which people are moving—cuts baseline. This basic principle creates constant movement and confusion for help defenders. It also generates high-percentage shots near the rim and open catch-and-shoot opportunities from three. These happen to be the most coveted and efficient shots in the NBA.
Since hiring LaRoche, Memphis has turned away from the pick and roll, running it less than any other team in the league. Instead, they utilise driving the ball at a league-high rate to initiate their movement. The statistics support their playstyle: They make and take the most shots inside the paint and rank third in catch and shoot 3-pointers-made. These are exactly the shots this system is intended to generate, and it seems to work even in the NBA.
Meanwhile, last year Iisalo transformed the now-EuroLeague Paris Basketball team into the highest-rated offense in the history of professional basketball. He achieved this by ramping up the speed. One of their key principles was attacking before the defense could get set, allowing them to get easier shots.
Iisalo’s appointment to the Grizzlies has led to a league-high number of transition possessions. This directly results in 35 points a game—also most in the league. Their transition dominance is fueled by an aggressive defense, generating the fifth most turnovers, and allowing their offense to get out and run.
Its no question that Memphis is seeing success with this unique system. But should other NBA teams adopt their approach?
Memphis’ roster is ideal for executing this style of offense. It requires quick, athletic players that can blow by defenders without a screen. Additionally, these players are adept at leading fast breaks off rebounds or turnovers, getting the team into transition. Not all NBA teams have the personnel to incorporate this playstyle.
There is also a drop in scoring when it matters most. Late in games when points are harder to come by, many teams shy away from heavy passing possessions and lean more on isolation plays. Transition opportunities become scarcer as well. Could these shifts in the game disproportionately impact offenses that rely more on passing and transition? Looking at the Grizzlies, their league-leading scoring drops to 28th during clutch time. Whether this is because their offense slows down, or like other teams they turn away from passing and are simply less effective in isolation, is unclear.
Regardless, Memphis has introduced a new playstyle into the NBA, and teams are taking notice. 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green described it as making “typical help patterns… different”. It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the season goes for the Grizzlies, and whether other teams will follow their lead.