Preseason Preview

The Grizzlies are playing their best basketball lately. They’ve won 12 of their last 16 games and are right there in the playoff picture. The thought was there weren’t enough shots to go around on this team. Iverson leaving helped that cause and Zach Randolph, O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay have learned to play with each other. With those three dynamic scorers, Marc Gasol roaming the paint, and Mike Conley providing solid point guard play they have exceeded all expectations for this season.

Head coach Lionel Hollins has done an amazing job with this team and is one of the frontrunners for coach of the year.

Ready to Breakout vs. Reality: I hesitantly picked Hasheem Thabeet even noting he could be a draft bust. He has yet to do much this season but their other big man has been great. The other Gasol, Marc is averaging nearly a double-double with 14.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Maybe that trade of Pau Gasol wasn’t quite the rip-off everyone thought.

Over the Hill vs. Reality: It wasn’t tough picking Allen Iverson in this role. He didn’t fit in Memphis and was a desperation signing for the 76ers.

Worst Moment: They began the season 1-8 and scored just 79 points in each of the last two contests during that stretch. It looked like the franchise’s woes would continue.

Best Moment: They won three of four games on the road around the New Year. They’ve struggled mightily on the road this season and this was a big boon for them going forward.

Best Case Scenario: They make the playoffs. It doesn’t matter where they finish. If they make the playoffs then this year will be a huge success.

Worst Case Scenario: They are in position to make the playoffs until they the end of the season where eight of their final 12 games are on the road. They badly stumble and finish below .500.

NBA Midseason Reports