Memphis Grizzlies: 2015-16 Season Outlook

Predictions

The Grizzlies are undoubtedly enjoying the best years of their franchise’s history. Unfortunately, that will do little to prevent them from falling prey to the inevitable bloodbath that is the Western Conference playoffs. Even if the Grizzlies enjoy a healthy season from their starters and lock up home-court advantage in the first round, there are too many things that have to go right for them to make it all the way to the Finals.

The defending champion Warriors are bringing everybody back and are fully capable of small-balling Memphis to death in a seven-game series. The always deadly Spurs added LaMarcus Aldridge and David West. The Thunder should have a healthy Westbrook and Durant — a recipe that’s spelled disaster for Memphis in the past.

The Clippers might have addressed their bench problems this summer, but even if they didn’t, they still have one of the best starting fives in basketball. The Rockets made it to the Western Conference Finals last season and added another playmaker in Ty Lawson. The sad truth is that the Grizzlies don’t stack up to the best that any of those teams can offer.

What Memphis needs — and what Memphis has needed for years now — is for all the right breaks to fall their way. It happened in 2013, when the Grizz cruised past a Westbrook-less Thunder, but with the West as good as it’s ever been at the top, it’s hard to see  the Grizzlies — talented though they may be — getting any further than the first or second round of the playoffs.

Next: NBA: Complete Offseason Grades For All 30 Teams

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