2014-2015 in Review
The Memphis Grizzlies finished 55-27 in 2014-2015, the same record held by the rival San Antonio Spurs. The Grizzlies held the tiebreaker however and, thus, finished second in the Southwest Division. They locked up the fifth seed in the playoffs and swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round.
Rightfully so because, under the new seeding format, the Grizzlies would have had home court advantage with the better record. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they ran into the soon-to-be NBA Champions in the second round. They took the Golden State Warriors to six games, but ultimately lost the series. Still, that six game series was the longest for the Warriors against any team from the Western Conference.
New Additions
Matt Barnes
After being traded several times this summer, the former Los Angeles Clipper found a new home in Memphis. Barnes will back up Jeff Green at small forward and will likely share playing time with an aging Vince Carter off the bench. At 35, Barnes can still shoot, much of which comes from beyond the three-point mark.
In 2014-2015 with the Clippers, Barnes averaged 10.1 points-per-game, making 36 percent of his shots from long range. He started a career-high 74 games last season and averaged a career-high 29.9 minutes-per-game. The feisty Barnes will provide a big spark for the Grizzlies off the bench.
Brandan Wright
Sent from the Dallas Mavericks to the Boston Celtics as part of the Rajon Rondo trade last season, Wright bounced around before returning back to the Southwest Division. The eighth-year veteran has called the bench his home for the majority of his career. He has struggled to find his way as an NBA starter and will serve as Marc Gasol's backup for the Grizzlies.
While Wright has never averaged more than 9.1 points-per-game in a season and never more than 5 rebounds-per-game, he will serve as a viable center off the bench. The soon-to-be 29 year-old should be an upgrade from Kosta Koufos, who is now with the Sacramento Kings.
Key Losses
None
Biggest Strength
Starting Lineup
The Griz have relied on a steady core over the past several years. Last season they finally proved that they can run with the best and their performance in the postseason squashed any remaining doubters. Their primary weapon has been Marc Gasol, who is one of the best defenders in the NBA.
But the Grizzlies have four other two-way players in their starting lineup that can score just as well as they defend. In 2014-2015, the Griz had arguably the best defense in the NBA, surrounding 95.1 opponent points-per-game, which ranked second in the league. They are well-rounded and each player in the starting lineup is a team player.
Biggest Weakness
Depth in the Post
One of the Grizzlies' other major strengths is, and has been, depth. With the likes of Tony Allen, Vince Carter, Matt Barnes, and Beno Udrih on the bench, the Grizzlies have one of the better second strings in the NBA. But down low, where two of their best players reside in Gasol and Zach Randolph, David Joerger lacks sufficient support.
Both Gasol and Randolph are in their thirties and the Grizzlies cannot afford to overwork them. The likes of Brandan Wright and Jarnell Stokes are simply not adequate substitutes and could provide some issues as the season wears on.
Bottom Line
The Grizzlies were a great team last season and, for the majority of the year, hung at the top of the Western Conference standings with the Golden State Warriors. They are carrying a slightly better roster into the 2015-2016 season, but remain in the toughest division in the NBA.
Time is of the essence for this Grizzlies team which has nine players over the age of 30. Gasol, Randolph, and Allen are locked up for at least two more years, but the rest of the roster could shake up drastically after this season. Most notably is Mike Conley, who will be playing in a contract year and will gather a lot of attention from teams around the league.
Fantasy Slant
Most overrated: Jeff Green
Green came to the Grizzlies as a valuable small forward and made an immediate impact on the roster. But Green's value is often overestimated. He is the least productive player in the starting lineup and has a tough time scoring consistently with the likes of Gasol, Randolph, and Conley alongside him.
The 29 year-old is capable of scoring 20 points on any given night, but was frequently held to single digits last season. Green is a solid rebounder, but is also prone to turnovers. He should be your last pick out of the Grizzlies' starters.
Most underrated: Zach Randolph
Underrated solely based on the fact that he is so largely overshadowed by Marc Gasol, Randolph is equally as instrumental to the Grizzlies. He is not the defensive genius that Gasol is and rarely gets blocks, but Randolph is a beast on the boards and can put the ball in the hoop.
He is a double-double regular and his 10.5 rebounds-per-game ranked him second among forwards last season. The 34 year-old also averaged 16.1 points-per-game last season, which ranked him thirteenth among NBA forwards. Overshadowed and slightly underrated, Randolph's weakness is turning the ball over.
Biggest surprise: Mike Conley
Conley's surprising performance in the postseason will continue into the 2015-2016 NBA season. Entering his ninth season in the league, Conley is entering a contract year and, if all goes according to plan, he should be looking at a big payday in 2016. The 27 year-old's 15.8 points-per-game in 2014-2015 was the second highest average in his career (17.2ppg in 2013-2014).
He shot 38 percent from three-point range and started all of the 70 games he played. Conley has yet to be selected to an All-Star game but, with the Grizzlies coming off a strong season, Conley will lead the charge into 2015-2016.