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NBA: Biggest Overachievers of 2015-16

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket in the first quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a three point basket in the first quarter at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Cole Elsasser-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and head coach Dave Joerger (R)celebrate after scoring against the Miami Heat at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 99-90 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and head coach Dave Joerger (R)celebrate after scoring against the Miami Heat at FedExForum. The Grizzlies won 99-90 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were expected to be this good before the 2015-16 NBA regular season began. Memphis has become something of a stalwart as far as the Top 5 teams in the Western Conference goes, no matter how starless their roster is inaccurately perceived to be.

What no one expected is Memphis surviving the losses of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol to season-ending injuries.

Gasol hasn’t played a game since February 8, which has resulted in the Grizzlies going an underwhelming 12-16. What must be noted, however, is that Memphis was able to go 11-8 during its first 19 games without Gasol, thus clinching a record above .500—something that’s proven to be enough to make the playoffs.

It wasn’t until Conley went down, which was after Memphis traded Jeff Green, that the Grizzlies fell apart.

This may not be the most ideal of selections due to the Grizzlies’ recent collapse, but they won enough to make the playoffs. That’s an impressive feat considering Memphis has been rotating point guards in an unfathomably erratic manner.

Throw in the fact that Mario Chalmers, who would’ve replaced Conley in the starting lineup, suffered a season-ending injury, and it’s clear that Memphis had no business making the final push for the postseason that it did.

Next: Portland Trail Blazers