Memphis Grizzlies: The NBA’s Most Unlikely Playoff Contender
By Simon Smith
The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the biggest surprise packages to this point of the NBA season.
The Memphis Grizzlies have defied almost all logic in the midst of their early-season success, in particular, their recent six-game winning streak. Point guard Mike Conley, signed to the largest contract in NBA history this offseason, has missed the past nine games.
Their other prime free-agent acquisition, small forward Chandler Parsons, has appeared in just six of the Grizzies’ 27 games. Furthermore, the team has transitioned into the hands of a new head coach, former Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale.
So despite these early-season obstacles, the Grizzlies find themselves with a 18-9 record. This places them fifth in the Western Conference. It is simply an amazing accomplishment.
Over their past eight games, veteran guard Tony Allen has been the team’s third-leading scorer with 12.9 points per game. Allen has been a staple on defence throughout his career and basically an afterthought on offence.
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This offensive production from Allen shows just how impressive this early season form has been in Memphis.
Aside from the absences of Conley and Parsons, the Grizzlies have also been without the services of another pair of veterans. Forward Zach Randolph has missed seven games, including the first three games of this current winning streak, after the death of his mother.
And then there is the ageless Vince Carter, who has missed the past seven games with a hip injury.
With this all being the case, many people have wondering — who are all these no-names stepping up for the Grizzlies?