Who Are The Memphis Grizzlies?

Memphis Grizzlies 

(Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph)

The question "Who are the Memphis Grizzlies?" is not only aimed at the casual fan, but the long time and loyal fan who may have not had a chance or avoided watching Memphis games during the regular season.  To be fair, the Memphis Grizzlies got next to no national air time, so even hardcore basketball fans could barely get a look at the team's performance beyond the nightly stat lines or a paid NBA service for viewing every game online.

Be that as it may, the (8) Memphis Grizzlies, originally the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995, won their first playoff series this year by knocking out the (1) San Antonio Spurs in 6 games.  The Spurs, who had the 2nd best record of the regular season and were expected to make it to the Western Conference Finals, could not seem to get their heads wrapped around the style of play coming from the Memphis Grizzlies.  Not to say that interior passing and scoring is a new thing, but the Grizzlies 2 stars, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, where no doubt underestimated by everyone participating and watching that series, and the Spurs paid the ultimate price, an early exit from the playoffs.

Zach Randolph has been in the NBA for 9 years, playing for Portland, New York and the Clippers before finally landing in Memphis.  Throughout his career, Randolph has constantly averaged just under 20 points and 10 rebounds.  But an on and off court reputation likely cast a huge shadow over his talent, leaving team management and media wanting to keep their distance, which they did.  Not being on teams with winning environments no doubt could have played a role in our oversight of his talents, but it is just that oversight which left the sports world scratching their heads as they knocked out one of the 4 teams predicted to win the title in 2011.

If Zach Randolph's talent was overlooked, then I have to say that Marc Gasol's talents were down right ignored.  Part of the reason Marc Gasol, Lakers Pau Gasol's younger brother, went unnoticed for 2 years, is probably because of how he entered the league.  Pau Gasol was the leader of the Memphis Grizzlies for 7 seasons before being traded to the Lakers, with the promise that his younger brother, Marc, would replace him on the roster.  Taking your big brothers left-overs and being seen as a consolation prize to the league no doubt left a chip on his shoulders.  Especially when considering that the Lakers went on to win back to back championships and the Grizzlies continued to struggle.  In 3 seasons with the Grizzlies, Marc Gasol put up an average of 12 points and pulled down just under 8 rebounds.  Perhaps not All-Star numbers, but solid none the less.

Blue collar addition Shane Battier has helped in creating a defensive front line tougher than most in the western conference playoffs, leaving opponents offenses scared to go inside, and on defense, essentially creating a wall in front of the basket.  This leaves opponents with 2 choices.  Force long range jump shots or get bumps and bruises from attempting lay ups.  The Grizzlies to the world, "Take your pick".

The Grizzlies went from a 24-58 season record in 2008-09, to 42-40 in 2009-10 and finally 46-36 this year showing indisputable evidence of improvement.  I suppose it's fitting that the Grizzlies are facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team once struggling before and after leaving Seattle (Sonics), to scaring the Lakers in a Round 1, 4-2 series loss, to becoming considered as one of this year title contenders.

So I guess the Grizzlies will no longer have the luxury of surprising their opponents with their talent. The veil has been lifted, and now, much like the Oklahoma City Thunder, everybody sees them coming.

So, "Who are the Memphis Grizzlies?"

Well we know who they are.  An underrated team with players who have consistently played well while the team got better every year.  Opponents just ignored them.  Now if only those same teams could figure out how to beat them.