Memphis Grizzlies: 8 Bold Predictions for Upcoming 2011-12 Season

The Memphis Grizzlies represent a changing of the guard in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies upended the San Antonio Spurs, the dynasty of the previous decade, in the first round of the playoffs last season. Then, the Grizzlies pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games in the Western Conference Semifinals.

The Grizzlies, once an afterthought, are now a hot topic nationally. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated predicted the Grizzlies to win the Southwest Division. CBSSports.com listed the Grizzlies No. 7 in its first power rankings of the season.

The Grizzlies used the be the doormat of the Western Conference: 12 of their first 15 seasons ended with losing records. The Grizzlies NBA-low franchise winning percentage (.352) is closing in to that of the Los Angeles Clippers (.362).

As the Bob Dylan song goes, the times they are a-changin'.

How will the Grizzlies fare this season?

Read along for some bold predictions.

5 Grizzlies Players Will Average Double Figures in Scoring

The Grizzlies figure to be a balanced scoring team. Last season, five players (Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley) averaged double figures in scoring.

That will once again be the case. Those same five players will average double figures again.  Rudy Gay won't explode in scoring, since the Grizzlies are a balanced scoring team.

The scoring averages will look like this:

Rudy Gay—22.4 PPG

Zach Randolph—21.0 PPG

Marc Gasol—14.1 PPG

O.J. Mayo—12.1 PPG

Mike Conley—11.1 PPG

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol Will Both Be in Top 10 in Rebounding

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol form a terrific rebounding duo. Last season, the two combined for 19.2 rebounds per game. Randolph was third in the league rebounds per game (12.2). In 2009-10, the pair combined for 21 rebounds per game. Randolph ranked third in rebounds per game (11.7) that season as well.

This season, Gasol and Randolph will be dominant on the boards as a pair. They'll combine for 21.9 rebounds per game with Randolph averaging 12.4 per game and Gasol averaging 9.5 per game. Both will end up among the top 10 in rebounding.

The Grizzlies Will Come Up Big in End of Season Honors

Grizzlies players will be recipients of a few end of season honors. O.J. Mayo will earn the Sixth Man of the Year honors for his solid scoring and defense off the bench for Memphis. Marc Gasol will make the All-NBA Defensive Second Team for solid rebounding and blocking. Tony Allen will be an All-NBA Defensive First Team honoree for his tenacious perimeter defense.

Zach Randolph will be an All-NBA Second Team member after an amazing year.

Randolph Will Have the Best Year of His Career

Randolph has had his best seasons with the Grizzlies. He had career highs in points and rebounds in 2009-10, his first full season with the Grizzlies. In his second season, he set a new career high in rebounding, as well as assists per game.

This season, Randolph will hit a personal high as he hits his athletic peak. He'll hit career highs in scoring average, rebounds per game, assists per game and field-goal percentage.

His All-NBA Second Team mention will be fitting praise for the work done this season.

O.J. Mayo Won't Be Traded

O.J. Mayo has been bandied about in trade talks quite a bit. The basketball world recently witnessed crazy circumstances involving his rumored trade to the Indiana Pacers. Alas, that was only Tony Allen making a false report via Twitter.

Now, the Grizzlies are keeping Mayo off the trading block. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley stated last week that the Grizzlies have "no active interest" in trading Mayo. While general manager Chris Wallace might entertain offers for Mayo, don't expect him to be moved.

Besides, Heisley likes Mayo too much. He said in an interview with The Commercial Appeal that he loves Mayo's skills.

The Grizzlies Will Win the Southwest Division

Granted, this might not seem like such a bold statement since Chris Mannix made the same prediction. However, it's a bold one nonetheless, since the Grizzlies finished fourth in the Southwest Division last season.

The Grizzlies will win a division headed by two teams that have won the NBA Finals in the previous five seasons. The Grizzlies will be the most consistent team in the division. They'll benefit from their youth (four of the five starters are younger than 30). Also, the Grizzlies only have one back-to-back-to-back set this season. Also, the Grizzlies benefit from having practiced together in the offseason.

With the Dallas Mavericks and Spurs aging, the Grizzlies will take the driver's seat. The Grizzlies will win 51 games and finish seven games ahead of the Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki (33 years old) and Jason Kidd (38) will be tired by the grind of frequent games.

The Grizzlies Will Edge Clippers for 29th Place in All-Time Franchise Win Percentage

This prediction presumes that the Clippers will implode. While the Grizzlies will live up to their new expectations, the Clippers will fall short of theirs.

The Clippers won't win any more than 17 games. Chris Paul and Vinny Del Negro will be at odds much of the season. Del Negro will give Paul confusing and, at times, contradictory instructions. Paul will often do his own thing, aiming towards his own vision of team success. This will lead to arguments between the two.

Donald Sterling will have to choose between the two. Eventually, he'll fire Del Negro and hire an assistant who will please Paul. However, this won't work, since whichever assistant rises to the interim head coach position won't have much of a plan for the team. Paul will continue to do as he wishes, but to little success.

The Grizzlies Will Make the Western Conference Finals

The Grizzlies will find greater success in the playoffs. In the first round, the Grizzlies will knock off the Spurs in six games. Randolph will dominate his matchup with Tim Duncan, and Rudy Gay will score rapaciously.

In the second round, the Grizzlies will defeat another old heavyweight, the Los Angeles Lakers. Tony Allen will contain Kobe Bryant defensively, holding him to 18 points per game. Marc Gasol will win the matchup with an inconsistent Andrew Bynum.

In the Western Conference Finals, they'll see a rematch with the Thunder. The Grizzlies will once again push the series to seven games. Still, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will have their way as they each score 30 a couple of times.