Beale Street Bears’ Memphis Grizzlies roundtable: ‘Into the Bears’ Den’
By Ian Pierno
@AJohnsonSports: What is the ceiling for the Grizzlies next season?
Ian Pierno (@IanPierno):
Obviously, nobody is going to compete with the Warriors. I don’t think the Grizzlies are quite ready to make a run at stopping the Spurs either, though. That being said, their ceiling, in my book, is the 4-seed. Like I said earlier, I don’t predict a quick start for the Grizzlies since Fizdale will have to toy with lineups earlier in the season, so that may push them behind the Clippers in the standings (however, I think the Grizzlies would beat the Clippers in a 7-game series). There’s so much that has to go right, though. Parsons’ scoring efficiency has to stay steady despite increased usage, Gasol has to stay healthy, either Baldwin IV or Harrison need to become consistent backups to Conley and the list goes on and on.
The Western Conference is good. Portland is no joke, New Orleans will be healthy and I don’t see James Harden allowing Houston to have a repeat of last season. There’s so many words that could be written about this, but the Grizzlies’ floor could easily be a 7 or 8-seed.
Taylor Buckley (@sctaylor94):
Top-4 seed. The odds of the Grizzlies beating out the Warriors are slim to none so that top seed is out of the question. What they can do though, especially if healthy, is compete with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers. If healthy and if everyone performs to expectations the Grizzlies will end up with a nice mix of talent. They have players who can who can score the ball, players who can knock down the ever so important 3pt shot. They also should have a solid defense lead by Gasol and Allen. With the solid mix of talent and players don’t be surprised to see the Grizzlies as a top 4 team next year. Should everything go right for them.
Parker Fleming (@PAKA_FLOCKA):
2nd seed. This means everything falls into place. Fizdale’s revamped offense leads to top five in both defensive and offensive efficiency. Mike Conley puts up All-Star numbers (in the 20/3/8 range). Chandler Parsons turns out to be the missing piece for the Grizzlies’ quest for a title. Marc Gasol returns as an All-NBA Center and replicates his defensive impact from his Defensive Player of the Year days. Zach Randolph and Tony Allen prove to still have a place in the ever-changing NBA. Brandan Wright is healthy. JaMychal Green takes another step. James Ennis shows that his New Orleans explosion was not a fluke. Their second unit backcourt of Baldwin IV and Daniels show NBA readiness early.
The Spurs’ frontcourt depth is rather thin behind the star-studded trio of Pau Gasol, LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard. Tony Parker may not be able to hang with the younger, more explosive point guards of the Western Conference.
The Clippers have a tremendous quartet of CP3-Redick-Griffin-Jordan. Blake Griffin must get over the controversy and injuries from last year. DeAndre Jordan needs to be able to make opponents pay for hacking him.
A 2-seed in the Western Conference is not a far-fetched reality for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Mike Parrott (@mikeparrott_):
If he can create a proper offense while keeping their signature defense, the Grizzlies’ ceiling is the third seed. No one is taking the No. 1 spot from the super team in San Francisco bay area and the Spurs are still the Spurs, but after those two; it’s every man for themselves. OKC have obviously regressed with the loss of Kevin Durant, the Trail Blazers don’t have enough in them to get a 3-seed. With the Clippers they haven’t regressed and they will have the best chance to take the 3-seed, however, I’m calling it here first and say with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin being in contract years there will be some Kobe-Shaq level feud. The Grizzlies can take that 3-seed if their stars can play to their abilities. Their floor is the sixth seed, their ceiling is the third seed.
Jacob Collins (@jacobcollins34):
A top-4 seed and a Western Conference Finals appearance. I believe the Clippers are the second best team out West. The Spurs are still the Spurs but you are making a massive defense for offense trade replacing Tim Duncan with Marc’s older brother, Pau. Are the Grizz any better or worse than any of the teams that follow? Portland, Houston, Oklahoma City and Dallas did not make any earth shattering moves forward. Utah, Denver and New Orleans should be improved on last year’s marks, but how much? I think that combining with the Grizzlies’ continuity plus the addition of Chandler Parsons pushes them ahead of all of those teams.
Next: What position do the Grizzlies need to add?