The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the youngest franchises in the NBA, as they are currently in their 30th season as an organization since being founded in 1995. The team originally started as the Vancouver Grizzlies before relocating to Memphis and becoming the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Greatest Memphis Grizzlies Teams of All Time
The History of the Memphis Grizzlies
During their short history, the Grizzlies have had some great players, leading to strong teams here and there. However, they have never been able to take the next step and win a championship. Due to their relative youth as a franchise, they are one of the least accomplished teams in the league. Memphis has reached the postseason only 13 times and won just five playoff series in the entire history of the franchise. They have only made it to the Western Conference Finals once back in 2013. Despite their relative lack of postseason success, the Grizzlies have a great opportunity this season to have their greatest team in franchise history. They have the talent, depth, and versatility, and now they just need results in the playoffs. Until then, here are the three greatest teams in Memphis Grizzlies history.
3. 2021-22: The Breakthrough Team
This was the breakthrough contending team for the Grizzlies in the Ja Morant era. The season before, Morant and the Grizzlies had their signature moment, getting past the Warriors in a play-in game in San Francisco and sneaking into the playoffs. This time around, it was different. This was a legitimate contending Grizzlies team that finished second in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record.
Despite their great regular season, they faced some trouble in the opening round against a young Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves had made the playoffs through the play-in, just as the Grizzlies had done the season before. Memphis eventually won the series in six games, but there were moments where it was hard to see them coming out on top. The series will go down as one of the craziest first round matchups in NBA history.
The Grizzlies were then eliminated in the second round by the Golden State Warriors, who eventually won the championship. Memphis played them hard and took the series to six games. However, their inability to close out close Game 1 and Game 4 matchups proved costly. Ja Morant’s injury in Game 3 further hampered their chances. Ultimately, these factors led to their defeat. Still, the Grizzlies competed until the end against the team that went on to win it all, showing their true potential as a contender.
2. 2012-13: The Only Western Conference Finals Team
This may be controversial, as this is the only Grizzlies team to reach the Western Conference Finals. This was a really good basketball team that made a key midseason adjustment by trading away Rudy Gay and allowing the frontcourt duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to take control.
This Grizzlies team was young and gritty. They played a physical style of basketball that epitomized their best defender, Tony Allen, one of the great defenders of his era. Memphis reached the conference finals after upsetting the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in five games. However, they were ultimately swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals.
Despite having their best season ever in terms of results, the Grizzlies still fired head coach Lionel Hollins at the end of the season. This move suggests that the front office may have perceived the run as somewhat fortunate. Injuries to key opponents played a role in the Grizzlies’ path to the conference finals. While it would be disingenuous to ignore that factor, teams make their own luck. Memphis took advantage of the opportunity, and that is why the 2012-13 team remains one of the greatest in franchise history.
1. 2014-15: The Most Memorable Grizzlies Team
This Grizzlies team only reached the second round, but it left an everlasting imprint on the fan base. This was a more seasoned and experienced version of the 2012-13 team, with greater cohesion as Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph had multiple seasons of anchoring the franchise.
They still had the toughness, grit, and defensive mentality that defined the Grizzlies’ culture. However, they played in the wrong place at the wrong time. They ran into a rising Golden State Warriors team that won 67 games that season and launched what we now know as the Warriors dynasty. The NBA was transforming into a perimeter-shooting league. The Grizzlies simply did not have the spacing and shooting ability to keep up with Golden State. Despite this, Memphis still took a 2-1 series lead because of their Grit-and-Grind mentality.
This Grizzlies team ultimately ran into a juggernaut, but compared to the 2012-13 team, they were more seasoned and experienced. Their tough, physical approach made them one of the most beloved teams in franchise history, even if their playoff run ended in the second round.
The Current Grizzlies Have a Chance to Become the Greatest
The current Memphis Grizzlies team has a great chance to become the greatest team in franchise history. It will only take a Western Conference Finals appearance to achieve this feat. This Grizzlies team has more talent and depth than the 2012-13 Grizzlies. Making it to the conference finals in today’s Western Conference would be even more impressive. The 2012-13 Grizzlies benefited from injuries that made their path somewhat easier.
This current Grizzlies team has elite stars, tenacious two-way players, incredible versatility, and excellent coaching. On paper, there is no reason why they should not rise to the top of this list as the greatest team in franchise history by the time this season concludes.
The playoffs will be their opportunity to prove it. If they can deliver, they have a chance to become the greatest Grizzlies team of all time. This success could also serve as the catalyst for sustained excellence in Memphis for years to come. With one of the youngest rosters in the entire league, their potential for long-term dominance is undeniable.
Photo credit: © Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
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