5 Reasons Why Memphis Grizzlies Could Become Western Conference Powerhouse

The Memphis Grizzlies are on the rise.  The Grizzlies upset the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs last season and pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference semifinals.  The first-round upset showed the changing fortunes of the Spurs and Grizzlies.

The Spurs had been one of the powerhouses of the Western Conference.  From 1999 to 2007, the Spurs had won four NBA championships.  In the last 12 seasons, the Spurs have won their division eight times.  The Spurs have grown used to winning.

The Spurs' playoff fortunes have changed in recent years.  In two of the last three years, the Spurs have bowed out in the first round of the playoffs.

On the other hand, the Grizzlies are experiencing new success.  The Grizzlies earned their first playoff series victory after four straight losing seasons.  In the Western Conference semifinals, the Grizzlies showed great toughness, bouncing back from a triple-overtime loss and a 27-point loss to force Game 7.

After suffering losing seasons in 12 of their first 15 seasons, the Grizzlies seemed ready to take the next step in their 2010-11 campaign.

Following are some reasons why the Grizzlies could become the newest Western Conference powerhouse.

Young Team

The sky is the limit for the Grizzlies.  The Grizzlies are a very young team.  On average, Grizzlies players are 25.8 years old.  Four of the five players who started more than half of the games last season for the Grizzlies are 26 or younger.

Most Grizzlies players are far from reaching their peak.  Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol have yet to turn the corner.  In 2009-10, Gasol was among the league leaders in field-goal percentage.  Gasol has yet to string together consecutive seasons in the top 10 to show his preeminence as an inside shooter.  Gay has improved his scoring average and field-goal percentage in each of his last three seasons.  Last season, he had career highs in field-goal percentage (.471), three-point percentage (.396) and free-throw percentage (.805).

Especially for Gasol and Gay, one can hardly tell the heights the Grizzlies can reach.

Efficient Team

Efficiency is a key ingredient to success in the NBA.  The Grizzlies have that in their recipe.  Last season, the Grizzlies committed the 12th-fewest turnovers (14 per game) in the league.  Also, the Grizzlies placed ninth in turnover percentage (.130)—an estimate of turnovers per 100 plays. 

Seven Grizzlies players had better-than-average player efficiency ratings.  Zach Randolph led the way with a 22.7 rating.  Tony Allen had an 18.4 rating.

Mike Conley promotes efficiency at point guard.  Last season, Conley posted a solid 3.00 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Strong Defensive Team

Defense wins championships.  One hallmark of the Grizzlies is tough defense.  The Grizzlies placed 13th last season in scoring average, allowing 97.6 points per game.  The Grizzlies placed ninth with a 105.1 defensive rating.

Particularly, the Grizzlies are great at forcing turnovers.  The Grizzlies led the league in turnovers forced (16.7 per game) and steals (9.4 per game).  Four Grizzlies players averaged at least a steal per game.  Conley and Allen each averaged 1.8 per game.

In Conley, Allen and O.J. Mayo, the Grizzlies feature guards with swift mittens.

Rudy Gay Is Set To Turn the Corner

Grizzlies fans have yet to see the best of Rudy Gay.  As mentioned before, Gay improved his field-goal percentage and scoring average in each of the last three seasons and had his best shooting figures last season.  Also, Gay posted career highs in all major statistical categories except scoring average.

At that, Gay was only 0.3 points per game away from his top average.

Hence, Gay was just starting to show a bit of his primacy before his season-ending elbow injury.

By the time the NBA resumes session, Gay will be ready to make even greater strides.  Gay recovered very well.  He worked hard through rehab.  As soon as he finished rehab, Gay joined Impact Basketball in Las Vegas.  In his first game, Gay scored 38 points.

Gay is showing resilience as he regains his form.  In the next season, people could see him turn the corner.

The Sun Will Soon Set on a Couple of Western Powers

Aiding the rise of the Grizzlies will be the fall of two or three teams in the West.  The San Antonio Spurs are fading.  Age has crept up to them.  Tim Duncan is 35.  Manu Ginobili is 34.  Tony Parker plays much older than he is at 29.

The Dallas Mavericks may have maxed out their championship window after just one title.  Dirk Nowitzki is 35.  Jason Kidd is 38.  One can only wonder how much longer they can play like they have.

The Los Angeles Lakers showed their age last season.  Kobe Bryant is waning—and playing with at least one chronically hurt finger.  Pau Gasol was off last year and may have seen his best years pass.  Derek Fisher is well past his prime.

These teams' falls may help usher in the Grizzlies as a powerhouse.