Memphis Grizzlies: 50-1
We have reached the initial team that could win a ring this season without fully shocking the people: the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rest guaranteed a championship for the Grizzlies, who barely made it to the postseason last season with a list of 50-32 (the 17th reminder the West is loaded), would be a surprise. Zach Randolph is 33, and Mike Miller, a key floor-spacing shooter in last year’s underwhelming offense, followed LeBron James into the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Scoring, as always, will probably be a problem for the Grizz.
However, this team will defend like mad, particularly with a slimmed-down Marc Gasol patrolling the midst ahead of the 2015 free agency. Toss in Tony Allen, the NBA’s funniest perimeter stopper, and you’ve got the key components to get a league-best defense.
Vince Carter remains a valuable wing defender who will conduct a pick-and-roll and hit the occasional three, and Mike Conley is a playoff-tested fighter who just keeps getting better.
And keep in mind, we’ve seen this Grizzlies core knock off the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in playoff show over the previous four decades. Nobody scares Memphis in the postseason.
When the Grizzlies can remain healthy and Gasol puts up a significant year, they are a dark-horse contender.
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