Memphis Grizzlies: 5 keys to making the playoffs in 2017-18

2. Continued brilliance from Marc Gasol and Mike Conley

The reason the Grizzlies win games comes down to the fact that Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are incredibly talented basketball players. They shoulder the lion’s share of scoring and facilitation duties, and provide the structure within which Memphis offensive system functions.

It’s not hyperbole to suggest that the Grizzlies would be completely lost without them. Four of their five most effective lineups last year featured Conley and Gasol.

Both are coming off of arguably the best years of their careers (certainly offensively, defense is another question entirely), despite having reached ages that typically fall outside of most players’ primes. Conley just turned 30 and Gasol will be 33 in January. They’re old enough that fear of age-related decline is very much warranted, particularly in Gasol’s case.

The Grizzlies can’t afford any slippage, or injury. The Western Conference is stacked with talent, and Memphis is going to need its two stars for as many minutes, in as many games as possible. Managing them will be a delicate balance. Rest them too much, and their impact may be muted to the point of detriment. Play them too frequently and the effects of cumulative fatigue loom large.

The Grizzlies should proceed with caution. They can’t afford to have either of their two best players miss significant time.