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The Memphis Grizzlies are respected, one can be sure of that. They are feared in many outlets and they are also treated like the defensive behemoths that they are most nights out by the opposition. Teams, coaches, players and the media all respect the tone and timbre of the Memphis Grizzlies. Whether or not they are dangerous is still up for debate, though. The Grizzlies have entered the last few years as a team working under a ceiling far shorter than the one they used to play at in the Memphis’ iconic Pyramid Arena . Sturdy types like Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph are expected to once again lead Memphis to the playoffs where, health and matchup-willing, they will win perhaps one or even two series’. To call this squad a championship contender is a bit much, the unending result of the former owner and current general manager (we think) running a bit wild with the cash in days past. As it stands, the Grizzlies will be well situated under the salary cap next summer even with Zach Randolph’s new contract extension taking up space. Tayshaun Prince, who may barely play this year as he eases into a role of a player-coach of sorts, has an expiring contract that the team’s front office will find tough to move. Said front office can then start tooling around in attempts to surround an in-prime Marc Gasol with a deeper bench and better shooting. For this season, though, it’s back to grit and grind. The team wouldn’t have it any other way, even if returning to the postseason will be a struggle in the killer Western Conference. Prince, who struggled with myriad ailments and conditioning issues last season, will thankfully see his minutes taken by newcomer Vince Carter, who still provides a sound all-around package even though he’ll turn 38 midway through the 2014-15 season. That’s two years younger than his coach Dave Joerger, who will lean heavily on Carter to aid in ramping up Memphis’ league-worst number of three-point makes. That’s the extent of the roster turnover, though, with a front office in flux and still hamstrung by the league’s luxury tax – something the small market team has paid twice and flirted with in the intervening years since. The real addition to Joerger’s roster will, hopefully, be a healthy 82-game season from Gasol. The Grizzlies were the league’s best defensive team with Gasol in the lineup last season, and his 23-game absence had the toothless squad reeling early in 2013-14. Mike Conley’s advancements and Randolph’s steadied contributions were not enough to stem that particular slide, but with Gasol on board the team roared back into the postseason bracket and gave Oklahoma City all they could handle in a seven-game playoff loss. A meltdown of sorts within the team’s front office followed, but with basketball lifer Chris Wallace making the phone calls and former ESPN and Sports Illustrated scribe John Hollinger purportedly calling the scouting shots, the Grizzlies should have enough from the holdovers plus Carter to make one of those runs again. If a matchup works, or they’re able to take a Game 2 on the road, a second or even third round could be in the offing. Expecting this, or expecting anything beyond that, is a bit much.
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