4 Signs the Memphis Grizzlies Are on the Path Toward Consistent Success

The Memphis Grizzlies look like a team on the rise. Their first round victory last season against the San Antonio Spurs seemed inevitable, partly due to the age of the Spurs and partly due to the toughness of Grizzlies players like Zach Randolph and Tony Allen. Hanging with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals showed that the Grizzlies will stay in the picture for years to come.

Basketball observers are used to watching the Grizzlies lose. In their first 15 seasons, the Grizzlies made the playoffs only three times. They have the worst franchise record in the NBA (.352). In the last two seasons, Randolph has collected the second and third seasons averaging 10 rebounds per game.

The first was Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1999-00, who grabbed 10.1 rebounds per game for a team that was next to last in rebounding.

One could laugh at the thought of Abdur-Rahim leading this tough Grizzlies team in rebounding.

Following are several signs that the Grizzlies are going from Western Conference laughingstock to consistent winners.

Young Team

Since Memphis is a young team, the future is full of promise.  The average age of Grizzlies players is 25.8 years old.  Four of the five players in the starting lineup last season are younger than 30. Only three players from last season's roster are 30 years old.

With their youth, the Grizzlies could see players break out soon. Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay, who are entering their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively, could turn the corner in the next season. Having just turned 30 this summer, Randolph could hit his peak in the next season.

For a young team like the Grizzlies, the sky is the limit.

The Grizzlies Locked Up Their Stars

One promising sign to Grizzlies' future is that the Grizzlies have locked up their stars. In the offseason, the Grizzlies gave Randolph a new four-year deal and handed Gay a five-year deal. Also, the Grizzlies look to be ready to retain restricted free agent Gasol once the lockout ends.

The Grizzlies extended a qualifying offer to Gasol, and Gasol seems like he would be happy to take it, according to the Commercial Appeal.

This is an interesting move by the Grizzlies. Owner Michael Heisley isn't the kind of owner to dole out money to stars.  On the contrary, Heisley is often regarded as cheap. Last year, he drove a hard bargain on draft picks Xavier Henry and Greivis Vasquez. Perhaps, Heisley has grown fond of winning and desires more from the Grizzlies.

Success Against Western Conference Powers

The Grizzlies showed promise last season by beating Western Conference powers. They had a combined 10-6 record against the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Thunder, and Spurs. That includes a 3-1 record against the Mavericks.

Knocking off the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs is another great sign. One cannot deny a team that knocked off the team with the best record—especially since the Grizzlies won 46 games in the regular season.

Lionel Holliins

Lionel Hollins is just getting started.  2010-11 was his second full season as a head coach. Hollins brought the Grizzlies to postseason success in veritable timing. Usually, a good coach sees his plans come together in the second season.

Hollins is just getting started. He brought the team within a game of the .500 mark in 2009-10.  Thus, he is building this team into a strong contender.  Having served as an assistant coach and interim coach for the Grizzlies prior to becoming head coach, Hollins knows where the Grizzlies have been and knows their potential.