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2012-13 NBA Preview: Memphis Grizzlies
- Updated: October 21, 2012
5. Memphis Grizzlies
HOW THEY CAN WIN: Though they flamed out in the playoffs against the Clippers, the Grizzlies still own a lethal core of young players who have improved every year. Rudy Gay (19 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is the headliner, but Marc Gasol (15.1 ppg) is a gifted post player with a sky-high ceiling and Zach Randolph (13.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg) is a robust scorer with the potential to carry a team (like he did in the 2011 playoffs). Point guard Mike Conley Jr. (14.1 ppg, 7.1 apg) plays with a chip on his shoulder, and has made great strides in his five seasons in the league. If all breaks right, Conley could be an All-Star this season.
WHY THEY WON’T: Rudy Gay took (and missed) two of the biggest shots of the season in the playoffs against the Clippers last year, even while being contested. The smart move would have been to move the ball, and let Conley create an open look for someone, but Gay (and head coach Lionel Hollins) went big-time on everyone. That shouldn’t happen.
FINAL DESTINATION: The loss of O.J. Mayo shouldn’t sting Memphis too much. Gay, Gasol, Conley and Randolph are a terrific foundation to build around, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Memphis made a run at the West finals.
OUR CALL: 51-31.
| TEAM ROSTER | |||||||
| NO. | NAME | POS | AGE | HT | WT | COLLEGE | 2012-2013 SALARY |
| 9 | Tony Allen | SG | 30 | 6-4 | 213 | Oklahoma State | $3,300,000 |
| 0 | Darrell Arthur | PF | 24 | 6-9 | 235 | Kansas | $3,006,217 |
| 7 | Jerryd Bayless | PG | 24 | 6-3 | 200 | Arizona | $3,000,000 |
| 11 | Mike Conley Jr. | PG | 25 | 6-1 | 185 | Ohio State | $7,305,786 |
| 21 | Michael Dunigan | PF | 23 | 6-10 | 245 | Oregon | |
| 12 | Ronald Dupree | PG | 31 | 6-7 | 209 | LSU | |
| 3 | Wayne Ellington | SG | 24 | 6-4 | 200 | North Carolina | $2,083,042 |
| 33 | Marc Gasol | C | 27 | 7-1 | 265 | $13,891,359 | |
| 22 | Rudy Gay | SF | 26 | 6-8 | 230 | Connecticut | $16,460,538 |
| 15 | Hamed Haddadi | C | 27 | 7-2 | 265 | $1,300,000 | |
| 44 | Jerome Jordan | C | 26 | 7-0 | 253 | Tulsa | $762,195 |
| 6 | Ronald Murray | SG | 33 | 6-4 | 200 | Shaw | |
| 20 | Quincy Pondexter | SG | 24 | 6-6 | 225 | Washington | $1,234,320 |
| 50 | Zach Randolph | PF | 31 | 6-9 | 260 | Michigan State | $16,500,000 |
| 2 | Josh Selby | PG | 21 | 6-2 | 183 | Kansas | $762,195 |
| 5 | Marreese Speights | PF | 25 | 6-10 | 255 | Florida | $4,200,000 |
| 25 | Kyle Weaver | SG | 26 | 6-6 | 201 | Washington State | $854,389 |
| 1 | Tony Wroten | PG | 19 | 6-6 | 208 | Washington | $1,110,120 |
| Coach: Lionel Hollins |
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