I’m remembering back to the 2008-09 season when Lionel Hollins was a year away from being hired; a haunting 24-58 record for the Memphis Grizzlies that year. In 2013, only a few seasons removed from that catastrophe, it seems almost too soon to see the Grizzlies already in the top positions of the NBA. What’s surprising is that they are. Recently the Grizzlies fired Lionel Hollins, the same man who took this team from a 24-58 record to a 56-26 record. Where do the Grizzlies end up now?
With the roster remaining steady, still with Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, Tony Allen and after the Miami Heat amnestying their sharpest shooter, the Grizzlies gained him in a heartbeat, can the Grizzlies continue their upward trend without their maestro, Hollins, or will they just go back to their old ways? A very critical question seeing as how much Lionel Hollins has contributed to this organization. The team also has a new bench boss in David Joerger. So, with a steady roster and brand new coach, where will the Grizzles rank this upcoming season?
With Hollins at the helm, the team steadily improved over the past few seasons. As you will undoubtedly recall, the team went farther than ever before, making it to the Western Conference Finals. Do we attribute the success to coaching? The players? How about a little of both.
Marc Gasol, the recent Defensive Player Of the Year, and some have even said the face of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise, will be returning this season bringing his A-game every night to match the success of his big brother. Mike Conley, who some believe is all-star quality, will also be returning this season alongside Tony Allen. Zach Randolph stepping in with Gasol and dominating the post has never been a problem for the Memphis Grizzlies. Gaining Mike Miller will be a great threat to any team seeing as how he is coming off from repeating championships and one of the best sharpshooter in the entire NBA.
Lionel Hollins out, David Joerger in. It’s clear to state that this was a bad move by the Grizzlies knowing everything that Lionel Hollins has contributed to this organization, but don’t not knock down Joerger yet before you know what he can bring to the Memphis Grizzlies franchise. In 2009, he led the summer league for the Grizzlies to an undefeated record. Yes, summer league is literally a whole different ball game, but at least it’s a guy familiar to the organization and its players. Joerger will bring great quality and leadership not only to the Memphis Grizzlies but to the game of basketball.
It seems as if the Memphis Grizzlies will remain standing with the best teams of the NBA. For Grizzlies fans, and all basketball fans alike, this will be an exciting season. Getting a taste of the playoffs has only made the Grizzlies hungrier.
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Main Photo Credit: MattBritt00 via photopin cc
