Memphis Grizzlies Odds to Win the 2011-12 NBA Championship
Thursday, December 22, 2011
by WagerWeb Sportsbook
Rudy Gay’s return from a shoulder injury gives a Memphis Grizzlies team that was middle-of-the-pack offensively (107.6 points per 100 possessions, 16th in the NBA) a much-needed boost.
Owner Michael Heisley opened the checkbook to keep Marc Gasol, and a healthy, motivated (contract year!) O.J. Mayo is a big plus.
They won’t win the conference, but their size will make them a team everyone wants to avoid in the playoffs.
LAST SEASON: 46-36, lost to Oklahoma City 4-3 in conference semifinals.
STARTING FIVE: G Mike Conley (13.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.78 spg), G Tony Allen (8.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.79 spg), F Rudy Gay (19.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.69 spg), F Zach Randolph (20.1 ppg, 12.2 rpg), C Marc Gasol (11.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.68 bpg).
KEY ADDITIONS: G Jeremy Pargo (free agent, Maccabi Tel-Aviv), G Josh Selby (draft, No. 49).
KEY LOSSES: F Shane Battier (free agent, Heat).
WAGERWEB.COM NBA BASKETBALL ODDS TO WIN WEST: +1200
A decade in the making since relocating to Memphis, the Grizzlies have finally carved out an identity as a grit-and-grind bunch that can hang with — and beat — the big boys. Their upset of the Spurs — No. 8 seed over No. 1 seed — was one of the biggest in history. Randolph and Gasol are two tough hombres up front, Conley is steadily growing into a solid point guard and coach Lionel Hollins has the snarl and the drive to keep them wanting more.
The Grizzlies can be tough, smart and take one very big bite out of opponents with an in-your-face style that doesn’t back down. But they can also be fragile mentally. If they can work the offensive punch of Gay back into a ferocious mix, Memphis will be a team solidly in middle of the playoffs that nobody wants to play. The club did suffer a big loss with the season-ending injury of Darrell Arthur, a glue guy and Randolph’s main backup.
Things have definitely changed since Gay underwent surgery on his dislocated left shoulder in February. Back then, the Grizzlies were still trying to find their way to becoming a playoff team. Now they are a group that was one win away from reaching the Western Conference finals and now, for the first time ever, will carry the burden of expectations into a season.
But Memphis no longer can sneak up on people. Many are whispering the Grizzlies’ along with the Oklahoma City Thunder as the near future of the Western Conference. Gay’s return should add offensive punch, and Memphis has a blend of young players with lots of playing experience. Conley needs to continue his improvement running the team, and Gasol should build on a playoff performance that earned him a four-year contract before this season.
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darrell arthur - jeremy pargo - josh selby - lionel hollins - marc gasol - marc gasol - memphis grizzlies - michael heisley - mike conley - o.j. mayo
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