NBA 2013-14: Memphis Grizzlies making a quiet but impressive push for the Playoffs

David Joerger finding his groove as a head coach

New Head Coach David Joerger had a troubled first half of the season with the franchise as he tried to implement a system on the team which didn’t suit the roster. The Grizzlies win games by grinding the opponents with their defence, but Joerger wished to play an up-tempo style of play asking the players to push the pace.

It took time, but Joerger compromising to a system which suits the roster better reaped benefits almost instantly. He allowed the players the fill in positions they are most comfortable in and adopted a style of play which has got them winning despite going into their bench each game. He deservedly received the Western Conference Coach of the Month award for January.

Deep and talented roster aiding Grizzlies in their run

Courtney Lee and Tony Allen- 2 essential components on opposite ends of the floor for the Grizzlies.

In their battle against injuries the Grizzlies have discovered a very deep productive unit in their bench this season.

In Kosta Koufos, Ed Davis and James Johnson they have a front court bench trio who can leave everything on the floor for their team while the starters take a breather.

Tony Allen comes off the bench now for the Grizzlies with the arrival of Courtney Lee and in his two games back from a wrist injury he has shown the same energy on the defensive end that the Grizzlies know him for. Allen shutting down a player on the perimeter and Gasol’s length in the paint are what keep the “grit and grind” defence style alive for the Grizzlies.

Courtney Lee being acquired from Boston Celtics in a trade has given the team much needed instant offence. His attacking plays lift the pressure off the Big 3. Snd despite struggling over the past couple of weeks, just like other shooters in the league, he would probably need only 2-3 shots to go in to get hot and regain his shooting form.

Conley stepped up when Gasol was out but who’s going to run the offence when Conley is out? Nick Calathes has shown the capability by playing the 1 spot in the 7 game stretch without Conley and Gasol. He averaged 14.7 points and 4.9 assists while shooting 51.8% from the field and 40.9 from long range.

The Grizzlies will be favoured to make the Playoffs on the back of their hot streak as they trail the 8th seed Phoenix Suns by two games with close to two months of the regular season still to be played. In a deep and talented West this season, do the Grizzlies stand a chance of repeating their last season’s Playoffs performance?

The West as a whole is tough to call, and predicting the winners in each round of the Playoffs will be no easy task. All we can do is wait for the post-season to take off in the third week of April.