Top 5 Seeds in Western Conference for 2012-2013 NBA Season (Part 5) – NBA Feature
Memphis Grizzlies: Seeded 5
The Memphis Grizzlies have shown considerable improvements over the past few seasons to become one of the top 5 franchises in the Western Conference. They developed players like Rudy g*y, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph and are new reaping the benefits of their hard work.
Last season, the Grizzlies finished 4th in the Western Conference but lost to the 5th seeded Los Angeles Clippers in a closely contested first round playoff series which went to seven games. This coming season though, the Grizzlies will have a tough outing as other teams in the West will be after their position in the backdrop of some good improvements during the offseason.
The Grizzlies rely on their team core of Rudy g*y, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol for success. All three are established players of the front court and give the Grizzlies one of the strongest front court combinations in the Western Conference. Mike Conley is their guy in the back court, who has held down the position and given the support to the front court guys. Last season, Conley averaged 12.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.2 steals as a regular starter for the Grizzlies. However, the Grizzlies have some trouble finding reliable players after their starting five, and do not have a very impressive bench and second crew.
O.J. Mayo was one good player who played as the 6th man for the Grizzlies over the past few seasons, but he too decided to join the Dallas Mavericks during the summer, leaving the Grizzlies bench even more exposed. For them to make a deep playoff push, their core will have to rise to the next level and contribute to the team in more ways than before. The Grizzlies particularly need a consistent scorer, who can average 20 plus points on a regular basis.
Rudy g*y can become that guy for them, but needs to work on his game and diversify his offence in order to do that. Conley is a skilled and talented guard, and needs to be given more responsibility so that he can contribute towards the success of the team. Quincy Pondexter is one player who has shown improvement and has been impressive in the pre-season games, and needs to step up to give the Grizzlies some contribution off the bench.
The Grizzlies are going to face tough competition from teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets as well as the Dallas Mavericks for their 5th spot in the Western Conference next season. The Wolves and Hornets have undergone some impressive roster upgrades and are looking to challenge the better teams, while the Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki are always a threat to any team. It will be tough for the Grizzlies to hold onto their position, and they will need to step up to the challenge if they want to remain one of the top teams in the West.
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