PF/C Pau Gasol was one of the best players in Grizzlies’ history.  Gasol’s best season for the Grizzlies came back in 2005-06.  Gasol played in 80 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies in 2005-06 and he averaged 39.2 minutes, 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game.  He played in 476 games (470 starts) in his seven years with the Grizzlies and he averaged 35.5 minutes, 18.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.8 blocked shots per game.  Gasol is still the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in offensive rebounds (1,200), total rebounds (4,096), blocked shots (877) and points scored (8,966).  He is also #2 in games played (476) and he’s #2 in defensive rebounds (2,896) in Grizzlies’ history.  On February 1st, 2008, the Grizzlies dealt Gasol along with a 2nd round pick in 2010 (Devin Ebanks) to the Los Angeles Lakers for Marc Gasol, Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, a 1st round pick in 2008 (Donte Greene) and a 1st round pick in 2010 (Greivis Vasquez).

25-year old point guard Mike Conley really stepped up his game for the Grizzlies in 2012-13.  He played in 80 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies last year and he averaged 34.5 minutes, 14.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game.  Conley has now played in 438 games (409 starts) in his first six years with the Grizzlies and he is averaging 32.6 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  Conley is already the Grizzlies’ all-time leader in both assists (2,420) and steals (697).  He is also #4 in games played (438), #5 in three pointers made (446) and he’s #4 in points scored (5,415) in Grizzlies’ history.  Look for Conley to continue to climb up in the Grizzlies’ record books moving forward.

20-year old shooting guard Tony Wroten didn’t get a chance to play much for the Grizzlies last year.  Wroten played in 35 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies last year and he averaged 7.8 minutes, 2.6 points, 0.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.  Wroten only shot 38.4% from the floor, 25% from three point range and 72.4% from the free throw line last year.  In his 9 games in which he played at least 10 minutes last year, he averaged 16.6 minutes, 6.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.  Look for Wroten to see his P.T. start to increase in 2013-14.

59-year old head coach Lionel Hollins has done a good job for the Grizzlies as he continues to get them to step up their game.  He led the Grizzlies to a 56-26 (68.3%) record during the regular season and a 8-7 (53.3%) record during the playoffs.  Hollins is now 214-201 (51.6%) in his seven years in charge during the regular season for the Grizzlies.  The Grizzlies are also 18-17 (51.4%) in the playoffs under Hollins.  The Grizzlies better do the smart thing and re-sign Hollins because the Nets and Clippers are going to be after him this summer.

UPDATE:  (6/11/2013) – The Grizzlies aren’t going to offer Lionel Hollins a contract for 2013-14.

The Grizzlies had a solid 2012-13 season overall despite getting swept by the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.  The Grizzlies finished up with a 56-26 record (68.3%) record during the regular season, which had them in second place in the Southwest Division, 2 games behind the Spurs.  The Grizzlies also went 8-7 (53.3%) in the playoffs last year.  Here is a look at the players who made the biggest impacts for the Grizzlies in 2012-13, in my opinion:

TEAM MVP:  Zach Randolph – 31-year old power forward Zach Randolph was the Grizzlies’ best all-around player in 2012-13.  He played in 76 games (75 starts) for the Grizzlies last year and he averaged 34.3 minutes, 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.  He had 45 double-doubles for the Grizzlies last year.  Randolph scored at least 20 points in 13 games last year and he had 10 or more rebounds in a very impressive 48 games.

BIGGEST SURPRISE:  Marc Gasol – 28-year old center Marc Gasol’s defense was the biggest surprise for the Grizzlies in 2012-13.  He was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2012-13.  Gasol played in 80 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies last year and he averaged 35.0 minutes, 14.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocked shots per game.  Gasol had 18 double-doubles for the Grizzlies last year.  He had 17 games in which he scored at least 20 points last year.  He also had 20 games with 10 or more rebounds, 32 games with 5 or more assists, 11 games with 3 or more assists and 20 games with 3 or more blocked shots last year.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT:  Ed Davis – 23-year old power forward Ed Davis was part of the return the Grizzlies got from Toronto when they dealt Rudy Gay to them.  Davis played in 36 games (4 starts) for the Grizzlies last year and he averaged 15.1 minutes, 5.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game.  Davis played in 81 games (28 starts) overall last year for the Raptors and Grizzlies in which he averaged 20.1 minutes, 7.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.0 blocked shot per game.  Despite his sub par play with the Grizzlies after the deal with the Raptors, he still has a nice upside.

The Grizzlies only shot 37.2% from the floor last night and it did them in.  Quincy Pondexter led the way for the Grizzlies with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in 34 minutes off the bench.  Marc Gasol (14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal and 3 blocked shots) and Zach Randolph (13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot) also pitched in for the Grizzlies last night.  The Grizzlies lost to the Spurs in four games in the Western Conference Finals and their 2012-13 season is now complete.

The Grizzlies blew an 18-point lead in this game as the Spurs forced O.T.  They then outscored the Grizzlies 18-7 in O.T. to prevail in Memphis last night.  Mike Conley led the way for the Grizzlies last night with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals.  Marc Gasol (16 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot) and Zach Randolph (14 points and 15 rebounds) also had solid games for the Grizzlies.  Quincy Pondexter (15 points, 2 assists and 1 steal in 28 minutes) and Tony Allen (12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot in 26 minutes on the floor) also pitched in for the Grizzlies.  The Grizzlies are now against the ropes as they are now down 3-0 in this series.

The Grizzlies outscored the Spurs 21-9 in the 4th quarter last night to send the game into overtime, but they were then outscored 8-4 by the Spurs and it did them in.  The Grizzlies only shot 34% from the floor and it negated the fact that the out-rebounded the Spurs 60-46.  Jerryd Bayless (18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot in 34 minutes) and Mike Conley (18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 blocked shot) led the way for the Grizzlies in this game.  Zach Randolph only shot 6 of 18 from the floor, but he still finished up with 15 points, 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots despite only shooting 6 of 18 from the floor.  Marc Gasol pitched in with 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots in this game despite only shooting 4 of 12 from the floor.  The Grizzlies are now down 2-0 in this series as it shifts to Memphis for Games #3 and #4.

The Grizzlies didn’t play any D earlier today as the Spurs shot 52.6% from the floor and it did them in.  Quincy Pondexter led the way for the Grizzlies with 17 points and 1 rebound in 29 minutes off the bench.  Marc Gasol (15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots) and Mike Conley (14 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists and 1 steal) also had solid games today for the Grizzlies.  Zach Randolph had a horrible game as he only hit 1 of 8 shots from the floor, as he finished up with 2 points, 7 rebounds and 1 blocked shot in 28 minutes on the floor.  The Grizzlies are now down 1-0 in this series.

Both of these teams are coming into this series playing outstanding basketball.  The Grizzlies need to make this a defense oriented series to knock out the Spurs.  They also need to feed the ball inside to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph offensively.  The big key is going to be Mike Conley…..he needs to hold his own against Tony Parker and that will be easier said than done.  Here is a look at the matchups in this series:

POINT GUARD:  Tony Parker just keeps getting better for the Spurs.  He is taking his team to the next level and he will look to do it again in this series.  It won’t be easy as Mike Conley of the Grizzlies is going to challenge him on both ends of the basketball court.  Parker has played in 10 games (all starts) for the Spurs so far in the playoffs and he is averaging 36.0 minutes, 22.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game.  Parker has now played in 162 games (154 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 36.3 minutes, 19.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

Mike Conley has taken his game to the next level in the playoffs for the Grizzlies.  Conley has played in 11 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 38.5 minutes, 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game.  He has now played in 31 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 39.0 minutes, 15.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

EDGE:  SLIGHT FOR THE SPURS

SHOOTING GUARD:  Danny Green is a solid “glue” player for the Spurs as he does all of the little things that lead to wins.  Green has played in 10 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 30.7 minutes, 10.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  Green has now played in 28 games (22 starts) in his career in the playoffs and he is averaging 21.5 minutes, 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

Tony Allen is the Grizzlies’ defensive stopper, and he has also been playing better offensive basketball so far in the playoffs.  He has played in 11 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 28.8 minutes, 11.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 2.3 steals per game.  Allen has now played in 87 games (34 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 16.6 minutes, 5.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game.

EDGE:  EVEN

SMALL FORWARD:  Kawhi Leonard is a player on the rise for the Spurs.  He has played in 10 games (all starts) so far in the playoffs and he is averaging 37.7 minutes, 13.7 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Leonard has now played in 24 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 31.5 minutes, 10.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Tayshaun Prince is an old pro who knows all of the tricks, especially on defense.  He has played in 11 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 33.6 minutes, 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.  Prince has now played in 129 games (117 starts) in the playoffs in his career and he is averaging 37.1 minutes, 12.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

POWER FORWARD:  Tim Duncan is one of the best big men to ever play in the NBA and he has quite a bit left in the gas tank.  Duncan has played in 10 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 34.4 minutes, 18.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game.  He has now played in 200 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 38.8 minutes, 22.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.5 blocked shots per game.

Zach Randolph has been a force in the playoffs for the Grizzlies and he is going to be up for the challenge of dealing with Duncan.  Randolph has played in 11 games (all starts) so far in the playoffs and he is averaging 36.4 minutes, 19.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.  Randolph has now played in 39 games (35 starts) in his playoff career and he is averaging 35.1 minutes, 17.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.

EDGE:  VERY, VERY SLIGHT FOR THE SPURS

CENTER:  Tiago Splitter played well for the Spurs during the regular season but it hasn’t translated over into playoff production quite yet.  Splitter has played in 8 games (7 starts) in the playoff so far this year and he is averaging 21.9 minutes, 5.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.  He has now played in 24 games (7 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 16.4 minutes, 6.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.

Marc Gasol has turned into one of the best all-around centers in the NBA and he is going to give the Spurs fits in this series.  Gasol has played in 11 games (all starts) in the playoffs so far and he is averaging 40.3 minutes, 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.2 blocked shots per game.  He has now played in 31 games (all starts) so far in the playoffs in his career and he is averaging 39.5 minutes, 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 blocked shots per game.

EDGE:  HUGE FOR THE GRIZZLIES

BENCH:  During the regular season, the Spurs used the bench quite a bit.  But so far in the playoffs, they have been riding the starters for the most part.  The only exception to that has been shooting guard Manu Ginobili.  He still brings instant energy and offense off the bench.  He has played in 10 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 25.6 minutes, 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.  He has now played in 146 games (49 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 30.6 minutes, 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Power forward/center Matt Bonner is the rare big man that can shoot the hell out of the basketball.  He is hitting 57.1% from three point range in the playoffs this year!  Bonner has played in 10 games (1 start) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 16.0 minutes, 4.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game.  He has now played in 55 games (6 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 13.7 minutes, 3.4 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  Boris Diaw missed the first round of the playoffs due to injury, but he’s back now and he can play anywhere on the basketball court.  Diaw has played in 6 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 17.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.  Diaw has now played in 59 games (41 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 30.7 minutes, 11.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.  Shooting guard Gary Neal also brings instant offense off the bench (to a lesser degree than Ginobili does).  Neal has played in 10 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 16.9 minutes, 5.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  Neal has now played in 30 games (0 starts) for the Spurs in the playoffs in his career and he is averaging 16.6 minutes, 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.  Cory Joseph has been Tony Parker’s caddy in the playoffs this year.  He has played in 10 games (0 starts) for the Spurs in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 11.2 minutes, 3.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.  PF/C DeJuan Blair can throw his body around when needed.  He has played in 8 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 6.8 minutes, 3.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.  Blair has now played in 32 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 8.5 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.

The Grizzlies have also been riding their starters hard, as they have not used the bench too much so far in the playoffs.  Jerryd Bayless is the first guard off the bench as he can handle playing either spot.  He has played in 11 games (0 starts) so far in the playoffs and he is averaging 19.1 minutes, 8.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.  Bayless has now played in 19 games (2 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 20.4 minutes, 9.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.  SF/SG Quincy Pondexter is a good long range shooter.  He has played in 11 games (0 starts) so far in the playoffs this year and he is averaging 20.7 minutes, 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game.  He has now played in 21 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career and he is averaging 16.7 minutes, 5.1 points, 2.0 rebounds an 0.5 assists per game.  Darrell Arthur has been the Grizzlies’ top big man off the bench in the playoffs.  Arthur has played in 11 games (0 starts) so far in the playoffs this year and he is averaging 11.7 minutes, 3.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game.  He has now played in 24 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far in his career and he is averaging 13.8 minutes, 5.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  Combo guard Keyon Dooling will also likely get some P.T. in this series.  He has played in 10 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 8.5 minutes, 2.2 points, 0.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.  He has now played in 59 games (0 starts) so far in the playoffs in his NBA career and he is averaging 13.1 minutes, 4.8 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game.  Power forward Ed Davis hasn’t gotten to play much in the playoffs so far this year, but he is a talented player.  He has played in 6 games (0 starts) in the playoffs so far this year and he is averaging 5.3 minutes, 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

EDGE:  SPURS

COACHING:  Gregg Popovich is one of the best head coaches on the planet Earth.  He has already won four NBA Championships and he knows how to get the best out of his team.  He has led the Spurs to an 8-2 (80%) record so far this year in the playoffs.  He is now 126-79 (61.5%) in the playoffs so far in his NBA career.

Lionel Hollins has his team purring like a well oiled machine right now.  He has led the Grizzlies to a 8-3 (72.7%) record in the playoffs so far this year.  Hollins is now 18-13 (58.1%) in the playoffs so far in his career as an NBA head coach.

EDGE:  SPURS

PREDICTION:  SPURS IN SIX GAMES