Predicting the future of Big Spain and Captain Clutch

The Memphis Grizzlies duo of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley have spent their whole careers in Beale Street Blue. The 2018-19 season is big for this duo, both in the prime of their careers. How far can these two guys take the Grizzlies before time is up?

The clock is running down, and it is the biggest game of their lives. Fans chanting, and screaming, but inside Conley and Gasol’s head they count down slowly, “three, two, one.” Buzzer goes off, and it is the end of these two in the city of Memphis, what is their legacy? Not as the core four, but as the two members of the core who set out to revolutionize “Grit N’ Grind.”

The remaining two members of the original “core four,” Mike Conley and Marc Gasol lead the city of Memphis for the next two years. While Conley has three years left on his max contract, Gasol only has two years plus a player option. Two of the biggest names in franchise history, and their story is not even done. It’s not done, because they haven’t finished what they started.

MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 20: Mike Conley #11 and Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the training before the game against the San Antonio Spurs during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 20, 2017 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.

The keys to the franchise now in their hands for a full season, with Conley healthy, who knows where these two can take this franchise. They’ve seen everything, right? Playoff series victories, and even handling the franchise at the lowest of lows just like last season.

With these two healthy for a full season, the potential for this team is unknown, but is still very promising. Who the front office surrounds these two with will maximize their potential. Am I saying that there will be an NBA Finals parade coming down Beale Street with these two at the helm, no? It is possible, because I’ve seen this team beat up even the flashiest teams with their grit.

The underdog mentality runs deep in Memphis, and as flashy as Marc and Mike can be, it is in their blood. Being underdogs for many of that seven year playoff streak helped build character for these guys, and it has shown that they can lead a team, for at least five games last season. The only games Conley was healthy last season, the Grizzlies beat the Houston Rockets three times, and the Golden State Warriors, both of which are facing off in the Western Conference Finals.

With Conley getting the surgery this season on a nagging heel injury that has plagued him for the last three seasons, he should feel better then ever. With Marc dealing with player development for the first time in his career, he should be even better as well. Although Conley was in a suit during the 2017-18 season, it was a positive for both guys, and couldn’t of come at a better time.

For now it is seven straight playoff appearances with the core four, and keeping Memphis tied to their professional sports team, on and off the court.

With the organization getting a solid draft spot, it is all up to who the Grizzlies get with the pick to join Gasol and Conley in that starting five. The team goes as far as these two go, and the 2017-18 season showed just that.