The Biggest X-Factor On Every NBA Playoff Team

Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley

The Grizzlies lucked out with the fifth seed, since they’ll be taking on a Portland Trail Blazers team playing without Wesley Matthews and a banged up Arron Afflalo. But it’s hard to get too excited about that or even having home-court advantage with both Mike Conley AND Tony Allen still out indefinitely.

Marc Gasol is the most important player on the Grizz and Zach Randolph is their double-double machine, but Conley, often called one of the NBA’s most underrated point guards, is the undeniably important third member of Memphis’ Big Three. That’s definite cause for alarm against a Blazers team that still has its dynamic duo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.

Normally, Conley would be the one hounding Lillard and he’d also probably have some high-scoring nights given the nature of Dame’s non-existent defense. Now the Grizzlies will have to rely on Beno Udrih as the starting point guard. No offense to Beno, but that’s a big step down on both ends of the floor.

Even if we weren’t only looking at first round action, the Grizzlies have no hope of turning their recent struggles around and contending in the West if Conley’s foot doesn’t heal up soon.

Next: Toronto Raptors