The Memphis Grizzlies certainly won’t be confused with the Los Angeles Lakers by the casual fan, much less the well-versed basketball fan, but they’re working hard to build their own image and legacy and are well on their way to becoming one of the top teams in the league. The Grizzlies came to existence in 1996 in Vancouver and played six years there before making the move to the continental United States. Those six years could easily be considered the six worst years that any single team has had in a six-year run, a run in which the Grizzlies averaged a 19-63 record and a last place finish in the always competitive Midwest division. The team moved to Memphis before the 2002 season and in their three years there, they’ve finished with 23, 28, and 50 wins. Last season, the team also made their first playoff appearance (as a 6 seed) before being swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The team didn’t lose any of their key players in the off-season and should compete for another nice playoff spot this season in the West.

Last year’s team was led by forward Pau Gasol. Gasol averaged 17.7 ppg to go along with 7.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Memphis was one of the few teams in the league that really didn’t have a “go-to” guy, a guy that definitely was getting the ball if the team needed a big shot or play. Coach Hubie Brown’s philosophy was similar to many of the techniques used in the college game with 10 and 11 man benches where everyone plays a good portion of the game. The Grizzlies had 10 players average at least 20 minutes a game and that led to eight players averaging at least 8.5 points per game. The style also helped the team band together and come closer, something that was quite obvious in their run to the playoffs. The Grizzlies boast some of the best depth in the league and that was improved in the off-season when the team kept most of their pieces while adding Brian Cardinal from the Golden State Warriors. Cardinal averaged 9 points and 4 rebounds a game while only averaging 21.5 minutes per game so he should fit right into the system that Coach Brown has established.

If the Grizzlies thought last season was difficult in their search for a postseason appearance, this season might be even more difficult. The Grizzlies will move into the very difficult Southwest division along with the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Hornets, and the Houston Rockets. Each of these teams got better in the off-season with the Rockets acquiring Tracy McGrady from the Magic and Dallas trading for Erick Dampier despite losing point guard and team leader Steve Nash to the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs and Hornets feel they’ll be able to compete this season after signing their own free agents and staying under the proverbial radar during the free agent season. The Grizzlies will need to keep their chemistry rising and their talent growing if they plan to compete in such a strong division. It’s likely the division could get four and maybe even all five teams into the playoffs but Memphis would like to take care of business during the season so they don’t have to worry about making early tee times next year.

The Memphis Grizzlies will likely have a starting lineup featuring Pau Gasol at power forward and James Posey at small forward. Jason Williams, a.k.a. “White Chocolate”, has matured at the point guard position and Mike Miller will join him in the backcourt. Lorenzen Wright will fill the lineup at the center spot. The Grizzlies are one of the few teams that really don’t “depend” on their starting lineup because they’ll play ten guys every night. The Grizzlies also have a second squad of Earl Watson and Bonzi Wells in the backcourt with Shane Battier, Bo Outlaw, and Stromile Swift in the frontcourt. That five can compete with any other starting five in the lineup and they’ll all be coming off the bench in Memphis along with Brian Cardinal, Ryan Humphrey, Troy Bell, Andre Emmitt, and Dahntay Jones as a solid third string.

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