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This Season’s Memphis Grizzlies Best in Club History?

By Christian Dudley

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Apr 22, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Tony Allen (9) Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies had a strong run this year and though they fell just shy of their first ever division title, is the 2014-15 squad the best the club has assembled in their history?

Before 2014-15, the Memphis Grizzlies had their best season in team history through the 2012-13 schedule where they reached the Western Conference Finals–the first and only time making it to that point of the NBA Playoffs. It was a very short trip, however, since they were swept four games to none by the San Antonio Spurs.

This season, Memphis felt as if they had a formidable team that that could try contend for a championship. They had the veterans, excellent team chemistry, continuity, and added depth to their bench that the 2013 postseason did not see from the Grizzlies.

It was bad timing for our Grizz. They ran into the high-powered offense that is known as the Splash Brothers and the Golden State Warriors. So close, yet so far away. Memphis could return to having the same title hopes next season if a few things go their way this offseason.

Feb 27, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the game at FedExForum. Los Angeles Clippers beat Memphis Grizzlies 97-79. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

From all of this, an interesting question arises. Which Grizz squad has been the best that we have ever witnessed in Grizz Nation–the 2012-13 team or the current roster of 2014-15?

Beale Street Bears will now examine.

Key departures from the Memphis Grizzlies since the 2013 postseason and prior to the 2015 postseason:

  • Darrell Arthur — Power Forward/Center
  • Jerryd Bayless — Point Guard/Shooting Guard
  • Ed Davis — Power Forward/Center
  • Quincy Pondexter — Small Forward
  • Tayshaun Prince — Small Forward/Power Forward
  • Keyon Dooling — Point Guard/Shooting Guard

Key additions to the Memphis Grizzlies following the 2013 postseason that remained into the 2015 postseason:

  • Vince Carter — Shooting Guard
  • Jeff Green — Small Forward/Power Forward
  • Nick Calathes — Point Guard/Shooting Guard
  • Kosta Koufos — Center
  • Courtney Lee — Shooting Guard
  • Beno Udrih — Point Guard

What is really special about the Memphis Grizzlies is that they have been able to keep their core intact. Marc Gasol has become more dominant and versatile. He was the Western Conference’s starting center in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game and looks to achieve the label of the NBA’s best center any season now. Mike Conley, although still not receiving an All-Star nod, has put his name into the conversation of elite points guards throughout the association. There may not be another center and point guard duo that can dominate both ends of the floor at both positions simultaneously as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Gasol and Conley do on a regular basis.

May 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) is greeted by guard Tony Allen as he leaves the game in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Another major piece to the puzzle, Zach Randolph, is heading into the decline of his career. However, Z-Bo is still a consistent double-double threat against any team on any given night. Randolph is going strong and had another solid postseason over the course of the past month with 2015 playoff averages of 15.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, but he is slowly deteriorating. He cannot handle the load that he did in 2011 when the Memphis Grizzlies upset the top-ranked Spurs and made incredible history. Thankfully Zach’s teammates have improved and the supporting cast has increased in the quality department.

What has changed for the better amongst the guys that are still hanging in Memphis? They have all gotten better as a unit as the seasons pass. Continuity is something that is becoming more and more rare in the NBA, but it is something that represents the Memphis Grizzlies. Their core has stayed tight. Their grit-‘n’-grind game plan has remained entirely. They are a team that all other playoff-eligible clubs fear at the end of the month of April.

When it comes down to it when debating our original question, it is quite simple at first. The 2012-13 Memphis Grizzlies, whom won 56 games in the regular season, reached the Conference Finals and this season’s roster did not. 2012-13 should the best squad the Grizz have ever formed, right?

Not so fast.

This season’s Grizzly bunch finished their 82-game schedule with a 55-27 record–falling just short of matching the numbers from 2012-13. The Grizzlies also lost their semifinal matchup against the Golden State Warriors by the way of 2-4. M-Town drew within two wins of reaching the Conference Finals for the second time in their history. This was after the Grizz stole homecourt advantage from the Warriors. Again, so close yet so far away.

We cannot forget to mention a change of coaches following Memphis’ playoff run in 2013. Although they reached the Conference Finals, the head coach, Lionel Hollins, was fired. His understudy, Dave Joerger, took over and remains as the Grizzlies’ leader.

Jan 19, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) guard Courtney Lee (5) forward Jeff Green (32) and center Marc Gasol (33) after a foul call against the Grizzlies late in the game against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum. Dallas defeated Memphis 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014-15 group did have a more consistent bunch when it came to reserves. Vince Carter is a big name on the team now that edged the Grizz to a few big wins and provided some highlight plays along the way. Jeff Green had the potential to really force Memphis to the NBA Finals, yet he has not found the offensive rhythm that Grizz Nation has hoped to see. Kosta Koufos finished the 2014-15 regular season as the third highest-ranked player in the entire league in defensive ratings. Memphis was finally able to get some bench production from multiple positions whereas it was a much larger issue in 2012-13.

Regardless, the Grizzlies are still in need of a shooter or shooters. They were outshot by the Warriors this year. Memphis could not keep up with the three-point barrage. Injuries also axed the Grizzlies’ season and tripped the team throughout the second half of their NBA schedule. Of course there are many factors in this debate, but nonetheless, Memphis could not advance past the second round.

While this debate is extremely close, the 2012-13 squad wins out. There was just something special about that team–something that this season’s Grizzlies fell just short of accomplishing.

The Memphis Grizzlies are still looking for their franchise’s first division title as well as an NBA World Championship. Will 2015-16 be their year?

Go Grizz!

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