Insider Special: Camp Battle ~ Memphis

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Who will be left out of Hubie's Top 10?

By Chad Ford

NBA Insider

Send an Email to Chad Ford Monday, October 6

Updated: October 6

7:56 AM ET

The Grizzlies have the most talented, deepest team in the history of the franchise. That doesn't guarantee they'll make the playoffs, but it does make for an interesting camp battle at virtually every position.

Coach Hubie Brown plays a 10-man rotation, meaning that there are going to be five very unhappy players on the Grizzlies' roster this season. Who are they? Insider breaks down the race to be one of "Hubie's 10."

Memphis Grizzlies

Center Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Lorenzen Wright 7 6-11 11.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg in 28.3 mpg He gives the team a lot of energy, but the Grizzlies know he's playing out of position. His body can only handle so much pounding. He's missed significant time to injuries the past two seasons. Brown would love Wright to get back up to the 9.4 rpg he averaged during the 2001-02 season.

2. Jake Tsakalidis 3 7-2 4.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg in 16.5 mpg Gives the Grizzlies the strong, wide body they coveted, but his slow feet and raw offensive skills don't make him the answer in Memphis either.

Power Forward Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Pau Gasol 2 7-0 19 ppg, 8.8 rpg in 36 mpg One of the best offensive big men in the game. Brown wants Gasol to become a more physical defender this year. Gasol hired a personal trainer this summer and looks like he added around 15 pounds of muscle. Still, he'll never be the power player in the paint that West covets. But as far as finesse power forwards go, he's one of the best.

2. Stromile Swift 3 6-9 9.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg in 22.1 mpg A light bulb went on in Swift's head after the All-Star break and he put up some pretty impressive numbers. He came into camp this year in shape and focused. If he builds upon what he did late last season, Swift may finally live up to his billing as the No. 2 pick in the draft. Expect him to get major minutes at the four and five this season.

3. Bo Outlaw 10 6-8 4.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg in 22.5 mpg Brown and West both love him. Outlaw's one of those guys who can, with his energy, help any team in the league. Outlaw can play three positions on the floor and will fill in any holes Brown finds this season.

4. Ryan Humphrey 1 6-8 1.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg in 9.3 mpg He has virtually no chance of making the rotation this season. Don't be surprised if he spends the year on the injured list.

Small Forward Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. James Posey 4 6-8 10.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg in 30.3 mpg Before you send in the e-mails, let it be noted that Brown explicitly told me to put Posey here. Mike Miller, he claims, will play two guard this season. Posey will be the three. It probably doesn't matter. The team brought Posey in to defend. He's athletic, strong and will be looked upon as the team's stopper this season.

2. Shane Battier 2 6-7 9.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg in 30.6 mpg Followed up an impressive rookie campaign with a so-so sophmore year. But his real value isn't in the stat sheet. Battier's hustle and versatility make him the perfect sixth man off the bench. Look for Battier to also get some time at the two this season.

3. Theron Smith R 6-8 -- Undrafted rookie was a real find in the summer league. He may be the Grizzlies strongest player. His inside game is tough and his perimeter game is developing. He probably won't play this year, but he's a kid to watch down the road.

Shooting Guard Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Mike Miller 4 6-8 15.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg in 33.6 mpg Doc Rivers used him primarily as a spot-up shooter. Brown likes to let Miller handle the ball, run the floor and take his man off the dribble. In just a few months, he's quietly turning Miller into the complete player we thought he could be when he won Rookie of the Year. Expect big things from him this season.

2. Wesley Person 9 6-6 11.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg in 29.4 mpg The teams' best perimeter shooter. He's getting old, but he'll still play a key role in the Grizzlies' offense this season.

3. Dahntay Jones R 6-6 -- He's an excellent athlete and a solid defender, and his shooting looks much better in training camp. But unless the team trades Person, he's unlikely to see much playing time this year.

4. Michael Dickerson 5 6-5 4.8 ppg, 1.3 apg in 14.5 mpg He reinjured his "sports hernia" in training camp and the feeling is that he'll likely retire. What a shame.

Point Guard Exp Ht '02-03 Stats Notes

1. Jason Williams 5 6-1 12.1 ppg, 8.3 apg in 31.7 mpg Was one of the best point guards in the league during the second half of the season. Led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio among starting point guards. The Grizzlies hope he takes the next step this year and improves his shot selection. Williams shot just 38.8 percent from the field last year.

2. Earl Watson 2 6-1 5.5 ppg, 2.8 apg in 17.3 mpg He's one of Jerry West's favorites. Watson plays with a lot of energy and appears to be firmly entrenched as the team's No. 2 point guard.

3. Troy Bell R 6-1 -- He was one of the best pure scorers in the draft. He's an excellent athlete and defender. The questions are, one, what position does he play and two, will he play? Brown thinks that Bell could emerge as a Bobby Jackson-type combo guard. But will it be this year? Bell thinks he's getting minutes, but if everyone stays healthy, it's hard to see how he'll crack the rotation.