Memphis Grizzlies: 5 biggest disappointments from 2017-18 NBA season

1. Worst finish since the 2007-08 season

The 2017-18 season was the Memphis Grizzlies’ worst finish since the 2007-08 season. Mike Conley was a member of the squad both then and now when the team posted a 22-60 record. It was Conley’s rookie season then, and Rudy Gay and Pau Gasol, Marc’s brother, were running the show.

Now, almost a decade later, the Grizzlies are back in rebuild mode. Pau Gasol played in just 39 games that year, showing just how impactful injuries can be to the trajectory of successful NBA teams. Similarly, Memphis dealt with a Mike Conley injury this year that derailed any potential of a successful 2017-18 campaign.

Defensively, the Grizzlies were 13th in the league in opponent points per game (105.5) but their defensive rating (111.0) ranked 26th in the league. The Grizzlies have some youth to work with along with a lottery pick in the upcoming 2018 NBA Draft. They will need to fill their weaknesses in a hurry or it could be another rough season for them.

Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Memphis has a good amount of money tied up in Conley, Parsons and Marc Gasol. Now it just needs to keep them healthy in 2018-19.