2011-12 Memphis Grizzlies Predictions
Written by Jack Jones
The Memphis Grizzlies are coming off a very successful 2010-11 campaign. Memphis made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed with a 46-36 record, then proceeded to knock off top-seeded San Antonio in the first round. They would put up a fight against Oklahoma City before bowing out in the second round.
This is one of the best young squads in the league. Memphis really didn’t have to do much this offseason because this is a team that should only get better with time. They drafted Josh Selby with the No. 49 pick. He’s a rookie out of Kansas who I believe is going to be one of the biggest steals in the draft after not living up to his potential in college.
They only other moves they have made so far this offseason is signing free agent Jeremy Pargo, re-signing center Marc Gasol, and letting go of Shane Battier in free agency. While Battier didn’t put up huge numbers, his loss will be felt. He is a tremendous leader, he will always guard the opposing team’s best player, and he can knock down the corner 3-pointer with the best of ‘em.
The Grizzlies welcome back one of the best frontcourts in the game. PF Zach Randolph led the team in scoring (20.1) and rebounding (12.2) while having a breakout season last year. He was even better in the playoffs, constantly making huge plays when the team needed him most. C Gasol also played well last year, averaging 11.7 points, 7.0 rebounding and 1.7 blocks.
SF Rudy Gay returns healthy after missing 28 games due to injury last year. He averaged 19.8 points and 6.2 rebounds while also coming up with 1.7 steals per game. PG Mike Conley finally came to life by averaging 13.7 points, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals and playing in 81 games. SG O.J. Mayo can light up the scoreboard at times. He averaged 11.3 points while coming off the bench most of the year.
Memphis is already thin behind Randolph and Gasol down low, and they received terrible news when Darrell Arthur just recently went down with a torn Achilles tendon suffered in practice. This is an injury that could keep him out for the entire season, and he was really their only other proven big man coming off the bench. The Grizzlies will be in the market for some depth before the start of the season.
This team does have some nice pieces coming off the bench at other positions. Backing up Gay will be Tony Allen, who is one of the best defenders in the league. Behind Mayo is Sam Young, who plays tremendous defense and has the ability to score when needed. Greivis Vasquez came up huge for Memphis in the playoffs, and hopefully he can continue push Conley for playing time at the point guard position.
Western Conference Prediction: 3rd Southwest Division – The problem for Memphis is that they are not going to be taking anybody by surprise again this season. If they want to get back to the playoffs, they are going to have to be even better than they were a year ago. Provided they can stay motivated, the Grizzlies should not drop off much from last season.
They are an excellent defensive team that can rely on Randolph and Gasol to carry the load inside. If Gay can stay healthy for an entire year, then they should reach their potential offensively as well. While the Grizzlies are well behind Dallas and San Antonio talent-wise, I do believe they are the next-best team in the Southwest, just ahead of Houston and New Orleans. They should make the playoffs again in 2011-12.
Jack Jones has written his famous 2011-12 NBA predictions article, which lists where each team will finish in every division.
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