After years of disappointing playoff exits, the Memphis Grizzlies are retooled and revitalized. The cruel Western Conference has sent legitimate contenders home year after year in recent times. The Grizzlies know all too well what that bitter taste is like.
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The Grizzlies’ defensive identity has made them a solid playoff team the last few seasons but there was another level that they failed to reach. Since the 2010-11 season, the start of the Mike Conley–Tony Allen–Zach Randolph–Marc Gasol era, they’ve been a solid team but there was one recurring problem.
While the Grizzlies defensive efficiency was in the top 10 in those four seasons, they had a bottom-15 offense in that span. Teams in the playoffs with solid defenses and equally impressive offensive would outmatch the Grizzlies’ Grit & Grind ways.
Earlier in the season, I wrote about how this trend was continuing, albeit just five games into the season. The Grizzlies were undefeated with a second-ranked defense and a 21st-ranked offense. Of the last 10 champions, no team has had an offensive rating ranking lower than 11th and no team has had a defensive rating ranking below ninth.
Unless the Grizzlies improved their offensive efficiency, they would have a tough time winning a championship. Fifty games into the season, their offense is much better than expected.
Marc Gasol has been much more aggressive on offense this season, taking 14 shots a game and averaging almost 19 points per game, both career highs. He came into the season wanting to score more and he’s been an integral part of their improved offense.
His aggression has also opened up more opportunities for his teammates since he’s such a skilled, versatile offensive player and passer.
Another change to the Grizzlies that has given them a much needed boost has been the addition of Jeff Green. Inserting Jeff Green into their lineup gave them another player with a diverse skillset who can score in a variety of ways.
Green is a jack of all trades, master of none type player who does many things well but isn’t really great at anything. He has the ability to spread the floor, post up, make free-throws and defend, making him an ideal addition for a contender with established stars in place.
These two adjustments by the Grizzlies have allowed them to become the second best team in the West and only three games behind the mighty Golden State Warriors.
In prior playoff runs, a lack of reliable offensive weapons really hurt the Grizzlies against superior offensive teams, especially as they advanced deeper in the playoffs.
Zach Randolph hasn’t been playing like someone in his mid 30s and has shown that he can still take over games. In a recent game against the Mavs, Randolph showed he could dominate with his mid-range game as well:
These Grizzlies have a different look this time around and will be a much tougher out in the playoffs. A stingy defense along with their new and improved offense is a lethal combination that will give them their best shot at a championship the franchise has ever had.
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