Memphis Grizzlies need to take note of Atlanta Hawks' fall

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks have been similar teams for so long. As one deteriorates, the other has to pay attention before it happens to them.

For the past decade, the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks were strikingly similar. No matter what stood in their way, each team would find a way to make it to the postseason festivities. They also flirted with moving from “dark-horses” to “contenders.” They each had a fixated core that represented great basketball and stability.

Now, as these teams face off tonight, there’s a new dynamic. In Atlanta, there’s a full-blown rebuild around Dennis Schroder and rookie John Collins. In Memphis, things are going awry, and the idea of “tanking” is becoming a daily conversation.

Two teams that once represented stability and success are now free-falling down the standings and into the lottery.

For the ones against tanking, look at the Atlanta Hawks. They were satisfied with good enough for so long. The next thing they knew, core players Paul Millsap and Al Horford left for nothing. Of all the players in the starting lineup of the 2014-15 Hawks team that was number one in the Eastern Conference, Jeff Teague and Korver extracted value upon departure (received 12th pick which turned into Taurean Prince, Mike Dunleavy and second-rounders).

I’m not going to sit here and say “it’s time to tank,” because when you have something good, it’s easy to hold on to. In a small market, you got to find any way to succeed. If it means extending and salvaging a core as long as you can, you do it.

However, the Hawks’ path is something to keep in mind.

If it weren’t for the “Core Four,” the Grizzlies wouldn’t have been to the playoffs for seven years in a row. As Tony Allen and Zach Randolph walked away for nothing, the team has fallen apart.

Yes, the team was so close to potentially tasting glory. Why move on? Just look for a break.

The formula wasn’t working for awhile. Maybe if the team extracted value from them when they could have, things would’ve been a tad different, and they wouldn’t be 8-20 with a talented roster.

Now, they face the dilemma of moving on from Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. GM Chris Wallace has insisted that it’s not going to happen, but it could cost them big time.

How long will it take though before they come like their Eastern Conference counterpart — the Atlanta Hawks? Will they recognize a formula that won’t work? Or will they continuing being the Atlanta Hawks of the West — for the wrong reasons this time?

Game Info

Who: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Atlanta Hawks

When: 7:00 PM – ct

Where: FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN

How to watch: Fox Sports Southeast

How to listen: 92.9 ESPN – Memphis

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Memphis Grizzlies need to take note of Atlanta Hawks’ fall

By Parker Fleming | Dec 15, 2017

The Memphis Grizzlies and the Atlanta Hawks have been similar teams for so long. As one deteriorates, the other has to pay attention before it happens to them.

Game Info