Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: The Big Question Facing Every Team In 2015-16

By Gerald Bourguet

Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) dribbles the ball as Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends during the first quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
16 of 31
Next
NBA
Oct 6, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee center Marc Gasol guard Nichael Conley and guard Tony Allen look on from the bench during the game against the Houston Rockets at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Houston 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies

Are The Grizzlies Fine Wine, Or Spoiling Milk?

If you’ve been the team nobody wants to play for years, and everyone learns how to beat you after a convincing Western Conference Finals sweep, are you still the team nobody wants to play anymore? That’s been the story for the Memphis Grizzlies ever since 2013, when the San Antonio Spurs provided the perfect blueprint to defeat “grit-n-grind.”

Last season, the aging Grizz defied the odds and for about half the season, “Warriors or Grizzlies?” was a legitimate question. But the Jeff Green trade didn’t work out, Memphis failed to spread the floor from three-point range and once again, a superior Western Contender played off of Tony Allen and the other non-perimeter threats to overcome the Grizzlies’ stout defense in a playoff series.

This Grizzlies team is the best in franchise history and their ugly, determined playing style has become endearing to their avid fans. But Memphis hasn’t been past the second round of the playoffs since 2013, and Marc Gasol (30) and Zach Randolph (34) aren’t getting any younger.

In 2015-16, will the Grizzlies be the fine wine that gets better with age? Or will they be the spoiled milk that’s already passed its expiration date? In a loaded Western Conference that sports five other legitimate title contenders, don’t be surprised if the answer is the more depressing of the two.

Next: Miami Heat