Are the Grizzlies championship contenders this year?

[Stannis]

Are the Grizzlies championship contenders this year?

[vanjulio]

Only if they have something up their sleeves because right now we're looking to be a .500 team. You aren't going tot he post-season with the current bench and from what we're seeing they aren't doing much to address it either. The drop of Haddadi, as it stands currently, is a death blow to postseason hopes IMO. A sneak into post-season is likely - title contending? I dont see it without Arthur and Haddadi on the lineup.

[jefe]

Without adding depth to our frontcourt rotation, no.

[vanjulio]

Ron Tillery confirmed on sports radio that they are starting the season with Skinner and Josh Davis.

[jefe]

In light of vanjulio's post above, an amendment to my prior post is warranted as follows: "Without adding quality depth to our frontcourt rotations, no"

[Downtown]

I have to agree. I haven't looked at the Grizzlies schedule but I imagine they are no different than most teams with the number of back to back games increasing and shortend time off between games.

I believe that at seasons end the analysis will show that teams with the deepest benches will have the most success and those that play their starters big minutes and can't find them enough rest time will suffer.

Suffice to say I think that Memphis will need to make a significant trade for a key reserve if they want to repeat their playoff success from last year. And since they won't really have the financial luxury of going after two good quality players, finding either a combo center/power forward, or combo small forward/power forward that can give them alot of quality minutes is the only way to go.

[darkangle901]

Frontcourt depth and 3 point shooting need to be addressed.

But we have a good enough nucleus, just have to adjust the pieces around them.

[BarbaGrizz]

we really need to trade Mayo for depth. Mayo + something for Asik + Korver, but dunno Chicago after they signed Rip

[realfung]

I don't think so, you guys were close last year playing the Thunders, but I don't see the Grizz beating the Lakers.

[Stannis]

Grizzlies are in the zone now, they keep it up, they will get to a contending status soon.

[vanjulio]

It's too early to say of course but if they do keep this going all season long and bring in a healthy ZBO they are clearly contenders. If the Nuggets are contenders, like they said they are, then Grizzlies surely are. At this point of the season anyone in playoff hopes can contend theoretically. And we currently sit at #1 in the SOUTHWEST Division (the owner of 7 NBA titles in the past 18 seasons or so).

[NZB2323]

Bulls fan here.

When I was in Vegas, they had the Grizzlies at 25:1 odds to win it all. I thought those were great odds and I put down 100 on the Grizz. That night Randolph got injured.

I still like my bet though. 6 game winning streak, and Randolph/Gasol can beast it like they did last year in the playoffs.

[darkangle901]

Well the odds are like 40/1 now. 22/1 to win the West.

With the new bench we have (basically everyone who gets minutes is new besides Mayo), I think we are a better team than we were last year.

Pondexter, Cunningham, Speights, and Selby all bring shooting range. I haven't seen any of them be consistent from the arc yet (just long two's), but they haven't gotten many looks so far. Time will tell.

They all look good defensively except Cunningham, who often looks lost to me.

Speights is a really good rebounder and can score a little bit too. He looks like a steal.

Still, we have to get consistent PG play from either Selby or Pargo. Conley's mpg needs to stay sustainable, and I've never seen any evidence that Mayo can really handle the position. It'd also be a big plus if we can throw a big PG at the Westbrooks and Roses of this league (especially come playoff time).