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NBA: Western Conference Contenders And Pretenders

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) attempts to drive the ball past Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the game at Toyota Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Rockets 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) attempts to drive the ball past Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the game at Toyota Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Rockets 102-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) reacts against the New York Knicks during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Grizzlies defeated the Knicks 103 – 82. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Memphis Grizzlies – Contender

The Grizzlies are limping into the playoffs right now. They’ve lost seven of their last 14 games, Marc Gasol has completely disappeared on the offensive end for major stretches of games and Memphis has simply not looked like the same team that they were a few weeks ago.

With the Grizzlies currently slumping, the question we may be asking ourselves once it’s playoff time is: Are they the team that currently sits second in the West? Or are they the team that’s been struggling at the worst time of the season? Luckily for the Grizz, they still have three weeks to get their season back on track.

Gasol may not be as assertive as fans would like to see, but Mike Conley‘s numbers have been repeatedly throwing themselves off a cliff since January. Everyone calls him the NBA’s most underrated point guard, but does this “All-Star snub” really deserve that title averaging 14 points per game over the last three months?

Conley’s struggles aren’t the full extent of Memphis’ troubles either. Vince Carter is starting to show signs of his age. Courtney Lee is the only player on the roster with less confidence in his shot than Conley right now. Jeff Green is only finally coming around. It hasn’t been pretty for the Grizz over the last few weeks, but they still have time to right this ship. This season has been too promising to let it all slip away now.

Next: No. 1