Ranking each NBA team’s All-Decade starting 5 from the 2010s
23. Memphis Grizzlies 2010s all-decade starting lineup
- Mike Conley
- Tony Allen
- Rudy Gay
- Zach Randolph
- Marc Gasol
Minus Rudy Gay, the other four starters for the Memphis Grizzlies make up the famous Grit and Grind era that helped the franchise to its most prosperous era with seven consecutive playoff appearances.
Gay didn’t fit that style. He shot just 42.1 percent from the field and 21.1 percent from distance in Memphis’ 2012 opening-round loss to the Clippers. His inefficiency was a large reason the Grizzlies lost that series in seven games, but it could be exactly what this defensive-minded bunch needs.
These Grizzlies teams were never known for their offense. Instead, they turned games ugly by ramping up the physicality to keep the score within their liking, leaning on decisive buckets from key guys.
Mike Conley was certainly worthy of at least one All-Star appearance at one point or another, but his lack of size makes him easier to contain. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph were bullies inside, but they were mostly limited to the painted area.
Gay, on the other hand, is prototypically built at 6’8”, 230 pounds with sky-scraping athleticism. He could get a shot over anyone and nailed several big shots during his time in Memphis.
With greater investment in Memphis’ signature brand of play, his offensive talents could’ve been put to great use down the stretch, and the Grizzlies could’ve given opponents fits at both ends with the one lacking piece that held them back amid all those postseason outings.