NBA: 30 Storylines Driving The 2015-16 Season
May 9, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the game against the Golden State Warriors in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat Golden State Warriors 99-88. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzlies – Can They Improve without Improving?
The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t exactly a team that has dominated headlines of any kind in recent years. They’ve had some strong first round playoff performances over the past couple of seasons, but seem to hit a road block once they reach the Western Conference Semifinals.
Marc Gasol made a strong statement in the off-season by refusing to hear out offers from other teams. He immediately opted to re-sign with the Memphis Grizzlies, an organization that has seen him as their star for years. The problem is though, they haven’t been able to pull in any other big names to join them in the hunt for something more that an early round exit from the playoffs. Their most notable move this offseason was bringing in Matt Barnes.
They already have a winning formula during the regular season, consistently grabbing one of the higher seeds in the tough Western Conference. They have an established identity: they’re the NBA’s throwback team. They play two traditional big-men who rebound and score on the low block (Gasol and Zach Randolph). Tony Allen has consistently been one of, if not the, league’s premier defender. Jeff Green was a great mid-season pick up that provided a more traditional scoring wing to the team. Mike Conley rounds out the starters by being an on-ball defensive pest and also a legitimate scoring threat and passer at the top of the key.
Memphis has made no big splashes or improvements that would lead you to believe this season will be any different than the last. They’re actually at risk of falling into the abyss known as the NBA’s middle of the pack.
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