Are the Grizzlies too old to succeed in the Western Conference?
The Grizzlies could have a frustrating season ahead of them.
They were one of three 2015 playoff teams to average an age of 30 years or more, according to Dan Feldman of NBC Sports. The other two, the Mavericks and Spurs, either bolstered their roster or fell out of the possible playoff picture because of their age issues. Then, there's the Griz, who stood pat for the most part over the summer.
Feldman ponders if that's a bad omen for the upcoming season.
The Grizzlies have been running with the same core of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen for about five years now, and all it's gotten them is one trip to the Western Conference Finals. You have to wonder if the team is bound for another one any time soon.
Sure, Memphis is coming off a 55-win season and has a solid coach at the helm with Dave Joerger, but the West is so strong, it might be tough to make it back to the conference finals, let alone beyond that. It's not like the four guys at the top are the only contributors to the team, either. Jeff Green, Matt Barnes, Beno Udrih, Courtney Lee, Brandan Wright and Vince Carter all stand to be contributors this year. But with the Clippers, Spurs, Thunder and Rockets presumably improving because of additions to last year's rosters or overall health and with the Warriors still ruling the land, it's tough to consider the Grizzlies better than sixth in the West.
In the East, that'd be a different story. They could easily be second. In the end, they're just in the wrong conference.
(h/t NBC Sports)
The Grizzlies will once again rely heavily on Zach Randolph (34) and Marc Gasol (30). Tony Allen (33) and Courtney Lee (30 in a few weeks) will be key on the wing. Can Mike Conley (28 in about a month) hold it all together?
Sure, Memphis has gotten younger in some spots. Brandan Wright (27) was an excellent signing.
But the other big offseason acquisition was Matt Barnes (35). The rotation is littered with old players like Vince Carter (38) and Beno Udrih (33). Jeff Green (29) hasn’t performed nearly as well as hoped since last season’s mid-year trade.
If the Grizzlies keep this core group together, it will inevitably drop off. Father Time is undefeated.
