We have reached the first team that will win a ring this season without completely shocking the people: the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rest guaranteed a championship for the Grizzlies, who barely made it into the postseason last year with a list of 50-32 (your 17th reminder the West is loaded), could be a surprise. Zach Randolph is 33, and Mike Miller, a key floor-spacing shooter in the past year’s underwhelming offense, followed LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Scoring, as always, will be an issue for the Grizz.
However, this team is going to defend like crazy, especially with a slimmed-down Marc Gasol patrolling the middle forward of his 2015 free agency. Toss in Tony Allen, the NBA’s scariest perimeter stopper, and you have got the key components to get a league-best defense.
Vince Carter remains a precious wing defender who can run a pick-and-roll and hit the occasional three, and Mike Conley is a playoff-tested fighter who just keeps getting better.
And remember, we’ve noticed this Grizzlies core knock off the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in playoff series over the last four years. Nobody scares Memphis from the postseason.
When the Grizzlies can stay healthy and Gasol puts a significant year, they’re a dark-horse contender.
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