2011-12 Team Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

Posted by Dante Peterson on Dec 21, 2011 in NBA | 0 comments

Last season for Memphis was the story of the 3 Bears. But this wasn’t the burglarizing, freeloading blonde version. Rudy Gay was set to have a phenomenal season after signing a max contract but went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Zach Randolph emerged into a team player instead of the black hole PF he’s been known to be his entire career. And Marc Gasol became the better of the Gasol Bros. The Grizzlies finished the regular season with their best record since 2005-06 (their last playoff appearance). But the playoffs are where Memphis’ footprint on the league grew by leaps & bounds! Not only did the Grizzlies get their first playoff victory in franchise history, the Spurs fell victim to a 1st round exit courtesy of the Grizzlies which was the first time an 8th seed defeated a #1 seed in a 7-game series since the Warriors trumped the Mavericks in 2007. They pushed the Thunder to a 7th game in the Western Conference Semifinals but couldn’t get into the WCF.

Key Players: Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph & Rudy Gay

Aside from Dirk & Tyson, no two big men complimented each other’s game as well as Marc & Z-Bo. These two steamrolled past the #1 seed San Antonio Spurs in last year’s playoffs and they did it without their franchise player, Rudy Gay. Now the trio will enter the season all fully healthy but the title of “Top Dog” is up for grabs. It will be up to these three to find cohesion early and often to catapult this franchise into a true contender in the West. Through the dynamics of their individual skill-sets, this Big Three may have the easiest time finding ways to get all their stars 20pts a piece. If you can count on a healthy dose of 60pts from your top three players, that makes it much easier on the supporting cast and the coaching staff!

X-Factor: The Point Guard Spot

Mike Conley and Greivis Vasquez are two young, speedy point guards who have proven that they’re not afraid of the big stage. This is a transition season for them both as individual players. Conley has to live up to the contract extension he signed late last season. This will be the season he’ll be looked to consistently knock down timely jump shots if & when defenses stifle the Grizzlies’ Big Three Gay/Randolph/Gasol. Vasquez will have to continue to emerge into a solid role player to solidify the Memphis bench.

The Grizzlies have much to be excited about coming into this season. They get Rudy Gay back, they retained Marc and for the first time in the franchise’s history they’re on NBA radars across the league. The question is centered on the Fat-Rat syndrome. Players have had the tendency to get lax after signing for big money (i.e. Eddy Curry, Jerome James, Joe Johnson, Rashard Lewis). Michael Heisley opened up his wallet maxing out Rudy (5yr/$82M), extending PG Mike Conley (5yr/$40M) & PF Zach Randolph (4yr/$71M) and now re-signing C Marc Gasol (4yr/$58M). If this core group stays the course, Memphis will be a contender for years to come. Will one of them shift into cruise control? If so, who will that be? Or will they all elevate their respective games to a new level? This year will be the test!

Projected Record: 38-28