National Basketball Association

Memphis Grizzlies: Are The Grizz The Biggest Threat To The Warriors?

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 2:21 a.m. ET

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Dec 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and center Marc Gasol (33) look on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. The Hornets won 123-99. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Exploring why the Memphis Grizzlies are the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference in 2016-17

After an injury-plagued season in 2015-16, there were many questions for the Memphis Grizzlies entering the offseason.

For one, the question as to whether this team would ever look the same was the real. Mike Conley was about to hit the NBA’s open market and Marc Gasol was still recovering from a broken foot. Just on initial glance, it wasn’t insane to believe that this chapter of the Grizzlies was about to close.

With the addition of a new coach, Dave Fizdale, this was also probably the perfect time for a bit of a change, too.

And that’s exactly what happened, but not in the way many thought it would for Memphis. Instead of heading into a bit of a rebuild mold, or at the very least in a re-tooling mode, the Grizzlies did the exact opposite.

They re-signed Mike Conley, to the NBA‘s biggest contract in history, and inked Chandler Parsons to help solve their shooting issues. With the expectation that Gasol will return to form in 2016-17, not only did the Grizzlies bring everyone back but they also improved.

Which leads to the next question, are the Memphis Grizzlies the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference? We explore that premise.

Apr 22, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Grit N Grind

Next to the Utah Jazz, there’s probably no team in the NBA that excels more in the “ugly” game. In fact, the Memphis Grizzlies made it their battle cry. Grit N Grind. It’s a way of life for the Grizz.

And as we’ve seen during the last two NBA Finals, the best way to bother the Golden State Warriors, who improved even more this summer with the addition of Kevin Durant, is to ugly-up the game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers did that to a certain extent during the last two Finals, and were more successful (evidently) in 2016.

The Grizzlies are tailor made to play that brand of basketball. From Mike Conley to Tony Allen to Marc Gasol, this team has a DNA of “ugly” basketball – and that’s not a bad thing. Additionally, which we’ll address more later, Chandler Parsons allows the Grizzlies to be more flexible with their lineups, which will help them matchup even better with the Warriors.

Apr 24, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) during the first half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Bears

Starting with Mike Conley, the Memphis Grizzlies have the defensive bodies to bother the Warriors. Conley is one of the most underrated defenders in the NBA, and when he’s healthy he should be able to bother Stephen Curry.

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The Same could be said about Tony Allen, no matter who he’s guarding – whether that be Klay Thompson or Kevin Durant. Of course, that leaves Chandler Parsons on Durant or Thompson. And that’s where it gets a little dicey for the Grizzlies.

Zach Randolph could have trouble remaining on the floor, especially when the Warriors elect to play ultra small, with Durant at the power forward position. In that case, though, the Grizzlies could easily matchup, with Parsons sliding to the 4.

Then, there’s Marc Gasol. Assuming that he’s healthy and 100 percent, coming off the broken foot,  he could be the ultimate X-Factor for the Memphis Grizzlies this season. When he’s right, the argument could be made that he’s the best center in the NBA.

He’s one of the better all-around defenders and could be a huge factor in a potential matchup between these two teams.

Mar 14, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) shoots the ball over Charlotte Hornets forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the second half at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Mavericks won 107-96. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Parsons Effect

The biggest question for Chandler Parsons will be whether or not he fits in with this team. Don’t get me wrong, he does a lot of good things on a basketball court. He doesn’t exactly fit the Grit N Grind mantra, though.

Though, if he produces, it won’t matter.

On paper, this looks like a match made in heaven. The Memphis Grizzlies have historically been one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA. Last season, the Grizzlies only hit 33 percent of their three-point attempts. If you’re new here, that’s bad. Really bad.

The only team that shot worse was was the Los Angeles Lakers.

Parsons is a career 38 percent shooter from deep, and shot a career-high 41 percent from three-point range in 2015-16. With the NBA rapidly transitioning to a smaller league, the signing of Parsons looks even better.

With the uncertainty that is Zach Randolph, at 35, brining in Parsons was an important factor in Memphis remaining relevant, especially considering that he has the ability to play the stretch-4 at times. He will give the Grizzlies flexibility that they simply didn’t have in the past. In a matchup against the Warriors, his value will only prove to be more important.

April 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Lance Stephenson (1) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 125-104. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Rest Of The West

Looking at the competition in the Western Conference, and with the additions that the Memphis Grizzlies made this summer, is it outrageous to say that they’re the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference?

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No.

Sure, the Los Angeles Clippers will certainly have a say in who comes out of the West, but they’re not built defensively to really bother what the Warriors want to do. The Oklahoma City Thunder were eliminated automatically as soon as Kevin Durant elected to jump ship, and the San Antonio Spurs don’t exactly matchup well with the high-powered Dubs.

That leaves the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies.

While I love what the Jazz are doing and building, I still feel that they’re a year away from really making a big jump. The Grizzlies? Well, they’ve been there before and are equipped, perhaps more than any other team in the West, to really test the Warriors.

Remember two years ago, when everyone thought the Grizzlies were going to really bother the Warriors in the playoffs? Memphis’ lack of flexibility on their roster really hurt them. They addressed that this summer.

Ultimately, it will come down to health. If the Memphis Grizzlies are healthy, I wouldn’t count them out. I wouldn’t exactly anoint them as favorites over the Warriors, but I wouldn’t exactly overlook them either.

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