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Season Win Team Total / 43.5
Through all the struggles for the Grizzlies last year they still made the playoffs. I for one was surprised they made it that far. The beginning of the year was a big help as the Grizzlies played well. The injuries hurt them going down the stretch in the 2nd half of the season and in the playoffs. This years team has a few different pieces, but overall Memphis has a nice core of players that can actually all play together and make each other better. Not a super star roster aside from Parsons, Conley and Gasol, but Randolph coming off the bench will help. Green and Allen as well will help as they usually do. A few young guys I'm looking at can help the Grizzlies surprise this year. Coming off a 42 win season and being in the west, some think it's almost certain that the Grizzlies miss the playoffs. Let's not jump right in on that opinion though. A few things considered make the Grizzlies an interesting pick in the west.
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The Stars
Not a bad 3 headed monster here for the Grizzlies with these three guys. Scoring won't be an issue if they can stay healthy. I really like the makeup of the inside out game with Parsons and Gasol all controlled by All-Star PG Mike Conley. The big issue is injuries. These 3 missed a ton of time last year and all three are coming off shortened seasons. Surgery has taken it's toll with this team over the years, but if the Grizzlies can stay healthy, these three all have a shot to be at that All-Star level this year. These three players all played less then 70 games last year, so they should be well rested and ready to roll. Parsons will miss the start of the season, but he will fit right in after a week or two on the court. He is getting his rehab and minutes in right now. Gasol IMO is the biggest concern. How will he be after a pretty tough injury last year. Well I believe he will bounce back into action at an elite level. He is one of the best in the game and he should feel great this year. I'm expecting a big year from him because of other things we will discuss. Conley has been in the biggest of games and the Grizz just seem stuck in mud when he is off the court. Everything runs through or around Conley and getting him back healthy will be a great mix with all the pieces of this team. These three can create issues for any team. The veteran leadership and knowledge of the game these guys will display will help the younger guys a tremendous amount.
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***Head Coach*** / David Fizdale
One of the best hires in the NBA as far as coaching is involved. I was excited to see Fizdale get his shot at a quality franchise with some upside. It will help him out a ton in his first year as a head coach. Fizdale has sat and coached some of the leagues all-time greats. He has plenty of experience with younger players as well as he spent a handful of years in the college ranks. Players are buying into what Fizdale is selling in Memphis. New blood is never a bad thing with a veteran team. Fizdale had tremendous success as the Miami Heat Asst. Coach and he has the hardware to back it up. This is a huge upgrade to Memphis in my eyes that most just won't recognize until the Grizzlies surprise some people.
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The Supporting Cast
Tony Allen - No secret what his job is. Defend and contribute his 10pts & 5rebs. Allen isn't a superstar, but he is what most teams in this league wish they had. He is great for this team and coming off a short season due to injury should help him out with his intense off season workouts. A solid player who will give his all, but I'm worried his decline could be steep in the next few years. I think he has some heart and will play tough all season this year however.
JaMychal Green - A solid 25 minute guy who is another great player to have on this specific roster. He does everything that is needed, but his upside is limited IMO...He still has plenty of room to improve and this year might just be the year we see a big leap from him. He will never be a superstar, but chipping in 12 & 8 on a nightly basis is all he needs to do. I look for a solid year from Green and his numbers across the board to have a slight uptick.
Zach Randolph - This is the perfect spot for him in his career right now. Coming off the bench will do him and the Grizz wonders. I won't be surprised if he gets plenty of starts this year, but coming off the bench will be a big help. Randolph is aging fast, but he has remained committed to the Grizzlies. His off season was a success as he dropped some weight and bulked up with some muscle. He will be much more useful with that weight loss combined with his shooting and tough style of play off the bench. That will spark the Grizzlies for sure and the young guys will buy right into the effort and attitude Randolph puts out on the court. I really like Randolph coming off the bench with some of the younger players and mixing and matching in a few starters. Randolph will do all he can to keep the Grizzlies in contention this year no matter his roll.
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The Bench :
Troy Williams SF
James Ennis SF
Vince Carter SG
DJ Stephens SG
Vince Hunter SF
Wade Baldwin IV PG
Andrew Harrison PG
Brandon Wright F
Jarell Martin F
Few others...
***This is the most interesting bench in the West IMO. Unless you are a die hard Memphis fan and you watched a ton of CBB, most of these guys don't even ring a bell. Well I'm familiar with most of these guys and the youth on this team is rather scary. It can be a big negative, but IMO these guys have enough talent to really make some waves this season. I think this bench looks bad on paper because of the names, but the talent might have this young bench surprising the hell out of people. I wouldn't be shocked to see this bench produce almost as much as the starting unit. I think this might be the toughest playing bench on a nightly basis. Teams that think the 2nd unit for the Grizzlies will be much easier for them on the court have another thing coming.
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My Prediction:
I have to admit the 43.5 wins seems rather high at first glance. I've been against this Grizzlies team for the last few seasons and it has bit me in the ass. I'm not just changing my tune because of that, but I honestly like all the moves and players they have on the roster. This is the one team and one coach that can mesh these guys before the season even starts. No ego maniacs on this team or stars demanding big $$ or big playing time. This is probably one of the easiest teams to get to play like a team. That's never easy in today's NBA, but the guys on the roster from top to bottom will work well with each other.
The move with Randolph is a big key. I thought he should have been a bench player last year, but the HC thought otherwise. The Memphis bench will need some veteran leadership and attitude to go along with hard play. Randolph brings that and will demand that from the young players on the bench. The young guys coming in relief will be well taken care of with Randolph on the floor. The young players need to develop that same kind of attitude and physical play. No better guy to have pushing you besides Randolph.
Memphis at home is always a tough out, but the road games this year will be the key to success. Needing 44 wins seems rather tough coming out of the west, but I have bigger concerns for 6 other teams right now. OKC loses the team they had last year. Westbrook is world class, but he can't do it alone. I really worry it's a one man show in OKC with a bit of a hangover with the Thunder.. I won't be shocked if they miss the playoffs. Houston is another concern. I don't like the bench or the depth of that team. Harden will contend for the scoring title, but that's about the only thing I see positive coming from Houston. Utah will be a tough out for sure and the T-Wolves are on the rise. Dallas IMO has issues and they will miss the playoffs....Warriors and Spurs are interesting...Both teams will rest guys this year for sure...No reason they go all out and try to break records this year. Winning a title and playing smart outweighs everything. So Memphis stealing a few games from the top teams won't surprise at all. Blazers are "OK" and they prob get a 5-8 seed...Clippers will be good and they get in for sure...Denver will be pesky and so will the Pelicans, but they don't have the roster or the bench the Grizzlies have. I can't see the Grizzlies hitting the 50 win mark, but hitting 44 seems rather likely.
Overall the Grizzlies have what it takes to make a run..It won't be easy trying to knock off the top 3 teams, but this teams can get the motor going and cause trouble. I like the HC and the entire roster. I think the Grizzlies made the proper moves with the players they have and the roles they will play. The have defense, scoring, rebounds, and young guys to come in and contribute. The Grizzlies IMO will start out a little slow, but they will contend in every game..Once Parsons comes back and the bench and Randolph get it going, look for Memphis to be a great bet ON team right after Thanksgiving to Mid January...I think Memphis might be one of the bettors cash cows this year ATS wise. The Grizzlies will be a good team this year and I look forward to seeing the new look and how all the pieces fit together. From what I see the number is spot on, but playing them over 43.5 seems like the only smart thing to do. The west won't look as strong this year and the Grizzlies will find themselves in the playoffs for sure if this team stays healthy and mixes well with the players and coaches they have on deck. Was never a big Memphis fan, but i'm putting my bias aside for the sake of the ticket.
Prediction: Memphis TT - 43.5 OVER / 47-35