Note: Sportsnet.ca will unveil a team preview every day from Oct. 1-30 counting down in reverse order where we believe the teams will finish.
The Grizzlies roll in at No. 11:
2011-12 record: 41-25 (Division: 2nd Southwest; Conference: 3rd-Tied Western).
Key additions
Jerryd Bayless (Signed from Raptors); Wayne Ellington (Acquired from Wolves); D.J. Kennedy (Acquired from Cavaliers); Tony Wroten (Drafted).
Key subtractions
Dante Cunningham (Traded to Wolves); O.J. Mayo (Traded to Mavericks); Jeremy Pargo (Traded to Cavaliers).
Key player: Rudy Gay
The Memphis Grizzlies offence moves from decent to dynamic when Rudy Gay’s outside shot is falling. It was falling short a year ago but they still managed to snag a four-seed in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies need him to be firing on all cylinders to open up space for Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
Outlook
Two seasons, the Grizzlies pulled off a shocking first-round upset in knocking off the Spurs in the first round. Last year, Memphis exited in the opening series.
Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol return to provide the league’s best one-two inside punch. They will be ably backed up by Mareese Speights and Darell Arthur.
Once you factor in the team’s other three starters, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay and Tony Allen, you have to begin to ask if this team is underachieving rather than overachieving?
There is only one notable departure to account for in Memphis as sixth man O.J. Mayo was signed with the Dallas Mavericks. It will be interesting to see how the team deals with his departure.
They did sign Jerryd Bayless, formerly of the Toronto Raptors, who has struggled to live up to his potential. The oft-injured combo guard will battle Josh Selby, newcomer Wayne Ellington and rookie Tony Wroten to replace Mayo and back up Conley and Allen.
The team also has a hole behind Gay where Quincy Pondexter and D.J. Kennedy are in place as back-ups.
This may be the last chance this group of Grizzlies get to do some damage in the playoffs as they may be forced to make changes because of salary cap issues at season’s end.
Will they continue to progress or have they already reached their ceiling?
Prediction:
46-36 (Division: 2nd Southwest, Conference: 6th Western).
Is this current team of Grizzles underachievers or overachievers?
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