Grizzlies urged to emulate Spurs and Knicks strategies in post-Finals analysis
Damichael Cole argues that Memphis can learn from New York’s guard-centric roster construction and San Antonio’s youth-driven model as the league shifts toward parity.
Memphis Grizzlies beat writer Damichael Cole has published an analysis outlining three critical lessons the franchise can adopt from the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, who are currently competing in the 2026 NBA Finals. The assessment suggests that Memphis, which has never reached the NBA Finals in its 31-year history, can learn from the structural and strategic approaches that have propelled these two teams to the league’s final stage.
Cole highlights the importance of health and fortune in championship runs, noting that talent alone does not guarantee success. He points to the Western Conference semifinals, where the Spurs defeated a Minnesota Timberwolves squad missing Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, and their subsequent victory over Oklahoma City without facing key injuries in Game 7. Similarly, the Knicks’ path was aided by injuries to Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum, which altered series outcomes and opened pathways for upset victories.
The second lesson centres on roster construction, specifically the viability of building around a smaller lead guard. Cole points to the Knicks’ success with Jalen Brunson, listed at 6-foot-1. The team has supported Brunson with tall, versatile wings who provide defensive coverage and strong rim protection, creating a balanced unit that compensates for the guard’s size while leveraging his offensive production.
The third and perhaps most strategic lesson involves the utilisation of young talent on rookie-scale contracts. Cole cites the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, who have combined for only six seasons of NBA experience yet are performing at a high level. This mirrors the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 championship, which was built primarily through the draft with limited playoff experience.
With the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement increasingly restricting expensive veteran rosters, Cole argues that contending while stars are on rookie deals is becoming the optimal model. The Grizzlies are well-positioned to follow this path, having produced four NBA All-Rookie selections over the past three seasons and holding the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. This follows general manager Zach Kleiman’s 2023 public questioning of whether the team needed to “triple down on youth,” a strategy now validated by the current Finals landscape.
