NBA 2016-17 forecast: Southwest Division
By Brian Boake
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Last season: 42 – 40
This season: 43 – 39
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – or just fire the coach.” Memphis pushed bench boss Dave Joerger out the door after another disappointing post-season appearance, but didn’t do a whole lot to the roster.
Yes, they buried Mike Conley with money, so he’s back, as are aging stalwarts Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Adding smooth Chandler Parsons should provide them more shooting, which they desperately lacked. They dumped Lance Stephenson, who is contending with Ty Lawson for the title of the league’s biggest disappointment of the past few years.
Vince Carter is still there, so Raptors fans can enjoy one more season’s booing when Memphis comes to Toronto. But the Grizzlies’ bench looks very weak (they “won” the Tony Wroten sweepstakes), so what success they enjoy will have to be provided by their big men.
If I were their GM, I’d blow them up in February, before they lose – again – in the playoffs.
Next: Dirk's swan song could be exciting