Related note: Pick up a Grizzlies Gametime game program at each of the final four home games this season and collect four unique covers. Place them all together to see the full artwork.
By Kevin Negron
With the 2014-15 NBA regular season winding down, the grit ends and the grind begins as the Grizzlies enter the 2015 NBA Playoffs. With a body of work that has provided this year’s squad with a unique place in Grizzlies history, the team recorded its third straight 50-win season and has made the city of Memphis countlessly proud along the way.
The 2014-15 Memphis Grizzlies campaign started off with a bang. A mere two games into the regular season, the Grizzlies were already making franchise history by winning their first two games against Minnesota and Indiana. For the first time in their 20-year existence, the team started off 2-0, including its first win in a season opener since moving to Memphis in 2001. What may have seemed like a small-scale feat would later prove as an indication of a special season to come.
The Grizzlies went on to win their first six games of the season – yet another franchise best. Memphis won 15 of its first 17 games through the end of November, featuring a franchise-record 26-point come-from-behind victory over Sacramento on Nov. 13. At month’s end, Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger was honored with his third career NBA Western Conference Coach of the Month Award.
When asked what was his proudest moment of the season was thus far, Mike Conley had to ponder for a few moments. “Gosh,” he said, as he struggled to find just one aspect to be proud of in a season chock-full of them.
He wasn’t kidding. Through the first 25 games, the Grizzlies stood at 21-4 (.840) culminating with a thrilling triple-overtime victory over their Western Conference rivals the San Antonio Spurs on Dec. 17.
The ups and downs of an NBA season do not discriminate. Following the victory at San Antonio, Memphis lost a
season-high four in a row. However, in a league with a myriad of issues (injuries, player transactions, losing streaks, etc.) that can affect a team throughout a given year, the Grizzlies’ impressive start was the foundation to maintaining a high seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.
As to provide more evidence to the fact, the 2014-15 Grizzlies made – that’s right – franchise history again from Jan. 21 – Feb. 4 by winning eight straight games, highlighted by victories at Dallas and against Oklahoma City. The stretch tied a franchise-long winning streak within a single season (previously accomplished three times).
Just before the start of the streak, Memphis struck a deal with the Boston Celtics on Jan. 12 to acquire Jeff Green as part of a three-team trade along with the New Orleans Pelicans. Seeking to pack an extra punch on the offensive end, the Grizzlies took a calculated risk in introducing a new element to an already successful team – and by all indications the risk paid off in a big way. In Green’s first 15 games in a Grizzlies uniform, Memphis won 13 of 15 – a .867 winning percentage.
In mid-February, Marc Gasol represented the Grizzlies in the 64th edition of the NBA All-Star game hosted by New York City. This would mark Gasol’s first time as an All-Star starter and second overall appearance (2012) in a showcase of the league’s best. The weekend proved to be a special one for Gasol along with older brother Pau as the siblings became just the second set of brothers to appear in an All-Star game together (Tom and Dick Van Arsdale, 1970 and 1971).
Having one of the best centers in the league is a luxury in it’s own right, but having two of the NBA’s premier big men on the same squad? Something similar to winning the lottery perhaps. In Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, that’s what the Grizzlies possess.
On Jan. 17 vs. Portland, Randolph passed Pau Gasol (4,096 total rebounds) to become the Grizzlies franchise’s career leader in total rebounds. Randolph, equipped with a barrage of double-doubles throughout the season (34), ranks fifth among active players in career double-doubles (439) behind an impressive list that includes Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. In 34 games in which Randolph has double-doubled, Memphis has gone 28-6 (.824).
Behind every steady team, is a steady point guard. Conley has been the backbone of the Grizzlies all season long. On Dec. 13 at Philadelphia, Conley recorded a personal-high with 36 points and has been the definition of “clutch” while sinking various shots in key moments down the stretch of games for Memphis.
When combining an All-Star center, a low-post bully/double-double machine and a clutch shooting floor general – what more can a team ask for? In Tony Allen, the Grizzlies ask for a defensive stalwart to guard the opposing team’s best offensive talent. Allen consistently delivers on the tall task. He continues to make an emphatic case for his third NBA All-Defensive First Team honor (and fourth career All-Defense accolade), ranking fourth in the league in steals while playing 26.2 minutes per game. Allen also is the only NBA player this season to record at least three games with six-or-more swipes.
Add the sharp-shooting Courtney Lee (Grizzlies are 19-3 this season when Lee makes two-plus three-pointers), two solid backup guards in Nick Calathes and Beno Udrih, 17-year veteran Vince Carter (leads NBA in three-pointers off bench with 360 since 2012-13 season) and the remainder of the second unit and there you have it – your 2014-15 Memphis Grizzlies, the fifth straight Grizzlies squad to enter the NBA Playoffs.
What can the Grizzlies expect going into the 2015 NBA Playoffs? A tough road ahead. In the Western Conference, the defending NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs currently (as of March 22) hold the sixth seed, Dirk Nowitzki and Rajon Rondo’s Dallas Mavericks the seventh and a trio (OKC, PHX and NOP) of teams fighting for the last spot. If placed in the Eastern Conference, New Orleans – currently 3 games behind the Thunder for the eighth seed – would comfortably be nestled in the sixth seed in the East. The Grizzlies, however, are up for the challenge, wielding a 31-13 (.705) record against Western Conference opponents.
If the Grizzlies maintain their current position in the West (second seed as of March 22), they could potentially hold home court advantage through the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs. The team has played some of its best basketball at FedExForum, hoisting a 27-7 (.794) record at home. Game 7 scenarios through the first two rounds have historically heavily favored the higher seeds with the home teams posting a 53-13 (.803) record.
History is on the side of those who have grinded through the regular season to earn a top seed, which has the potential prove to be especially helpful in a year where even the eighth seed can be a tough challenge for the top seed. The Grizzlies playing a Game 7 at home in front of an electrifying FedExForum crowd could be a key factor. The Grizzlies have the talent, experience, toughness – both mental and physical – to make an already unforgettable 2014-15 season even more memorable.
All the sweat, tears, practice hours, scouting, video sessions and trials and tribulations exist to prepare for the biggest stage in professional basketball: the NBA Playoffs.
Growl Towels up, Memphis!