Apr 10, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) shoots the ball against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) during the second half at EnergySolutions Arena. Memphis won 89-88. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzlies
By Tom West
Record: 55-27
First Round Opponent: Portland Trail Blazers
Season Series: Grizzlies won 4-0
When it comes to the playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies are one of the most intimidating teams that you could hope to meet. Not for star power or blazing shooting, but for their defense, grit and toughness. Since the Marc Gasol – Zach Randolph tandem began in 2009, Memphis have been renowned for a traditional, interior based style of basketball, that is hard to come by in today’s NBA. With elite perimeter defenders by their side in the form of Mike Conley and Tony Allen as well, they have always been the bullies of the west.
But intimidation factors aside, they have never quite been good enough to make it to the Finals.
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Now, in a season where there’s too much talent to keep track of, can the Grizzlies go one step further?
To say it’s going to be difficult will be an understatement. When the ‘worst’ team and 8th seed of the Western Conference is the New Orleans Pelicans, it’s safe to say this is a year where nothing is over until the final buzzer of the fourth quarter is sounded.
However, the Grizzlies are one of the most forgotten teams year in and year out. Even though they possess all the genetics of a team designed for victory in the playoffs. And with the offensive growth of Gasol and acquisition of Jeff Green this season, they’ve added even more firepower.
Mar 23, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) dunks the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Even though he may not be as valuable as someone like Gasol, Green has been a key addition to the Grizzlies. Whether he’s taking off for another poster-dunk or simply offering his athleticism in any way necessary, he provides a different dynamic to the team as a whole.
Memphis have perimeter shooters and post-up players, but a guy like Green (an athletic scorer who can create his own shot) is something that gives them a new edge. Now that he’s starting to adjust nicely to his new teammates, Green is averaging a respectable 13.2 points per game, including the best three-point percentage (38.5 percent) he’s had in four years.
He’s always explosive when attacking the basket (making 59.2 percent of his shots within three feet) and his ability to play at both small and power forward makes him a very welcome addition to an already dangerous Grizzlies squad.
No matter how entertaining Green’s dunks can be though, the key to any success that Memphis will have revolves around their core: Conley, Allen, Randolph and Gasol.
Since Gasol exploded in the season opener with a career high of 32 points on 70 percent shooting, he’s been enjoying his best season so far. He’s earned his second appearance as an All-Star and has been more prominent in the post than ever, averaging a career best 17.6 points per game. The Grizzlies’ offense has been able to operate around him all year long, whether he’s passing from inside, posting up with his hook shot, or being used as a pick-and-pop option from the top of the key.
Add on Randolph’s strong finishing ability inside (shooting 65 percent at the rim) and you have a deadly combination when the game slows down – as it so often does – during the playoffs.
Memphis have only been able to rank 14th in offensive rating (points per 100 possessions), which doesn’t sound impressive at all at first. But don’t take it at face value. When considering the emphasis they put on post-play, which consequently makes them play at the 26th slowest pace in the league (94.3 possessions per game), their offense can still get the job done when their main aim is to just limit the scoring of their opponents.
Mar 29, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs power forward Tiago Splitter (22) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) defends during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 103-89. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Only one team has allowed fewer points per game than the Grizzlies this year; the Stifel Tower (or Rudy Gobert, but his nickname is too good not to use) and his Utah Jazz.
Meanwhile, Memphis surrender a mere 95.4 points per game. Which, even though the Warriors may be ranked first in efficiency, is 4.1 whole points less than the league’s best team. From the duo of Conley and Allen on the perimeter (combining for 3.3 steals a game) with the latter being able to smother any guard or forward in the league, to their key group of big men inside (even down to Kosta Koufos on the bench), the Grizzlies have the kind of experienced, gritty defense that can alter a playoff series entirely.
In terms of their current form, Memphis have actually won just six of their last ten games. Although, with three of those losses being dealt to them by the Warriors, Cavaliers and the Spurs, they at least lost to worthy opponents.
They are in good health though, and other than Jeff Green leaving early in their last game due to back spasms (this isn’t a major problem and should be resolved within a few days) they are in the best condition possible to enter the postseason.
Even if you aren’t a Grizzlies fans, you have to at least admire the way they play. To watch Tony Allen smother Kevin Durant, regardless of the fact he’s half-a-foot shorter, is something that you have to respect.
Their throwback style of interior, defensive minded basketball has always made them an underrated team in the playoffs. It creates the kind of tenacity that is needed to succeed when every game counts, and if they had a star closer on their team they could have easily been a top title contender for a few years now.
Maybe this year, with a potentially favorable matchup, the Grizzlies can at least make it to the Conference semifinals.
Next: Same old Spurs