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Memphis Grizzlies: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Jan 8, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies defeated Denver Nuggets 91 – 84. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Best-Case Scenario

Parsons stays healthy in his first season in Memphis, and with Troy Daniels’ help, the Grizzlies are no longer an ineffective three-point shooting team. Baldwin quickly proves himself as an NBA-ready floor general off the bench, playing with poise and showing that he can in fact play the point guard position at the next level.

Gasol and Conley come back strong from injury-stricken seasons, helping lead Memphis to 54 wins despite Z-Bo showing signs of his age.

With the Warriors/Spurs/Clippers all experiencing horrible injury luck at the outset of the playoffs, the Grizzlies are able to pull off the improbable and make it back to the Western Conference Finals. They lose to a superior team among that trio — whichever one is healthiest — but also prove this team’s prime has not passed them by just yet.

Worst-Case Scenario

Gasol, Conley and Parsons all miss 15-20 games once again, making it difficult for first-year head coach David Fizdale to put a consistent product on the court. Though Parsons shoots the ball well from three-point range, his absences take their toll on yet another poor three-point shooting Grizzlies squad.

Daniels is unable to sustain his hot shooting from Charlotte, Baldwin struggles in a backup role and Gasol and Z-Bo start to show serious signs of their age.

Memphis sputters to 40 wins with one or more of their key players missing serious time, and the Grizzlies miss the playoffs in the first chapter of what should’ve been the resurgence of grit-n-grind.

Next: Predictions

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