Memphis Grizzlies Dream Team

As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the

game being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests

that players from different eras cannot be compared. However, I

have decided to defy those odds. 

In 1995, the Pacific Northwest added another team to the NBA --

the Vancouver Grizzlies. Their inception to NBA basketball in that

region meant joining the Seattle Supersonics, who are now the

Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trailblazers. The Grizzlies’

stint in Vancouver, BC, however, only lasted six years. One of the

attributable reasons was because the Toronto Raptors entered the

NBA at the same time, thus making it two NBA teams North of the

border. The Raptors, however, were more popular because of

Vinsanity (aka Vince Carter) and more initially successful, which

led to an attendance disparity. 

The Grizzlies then moved to Memphis. While college football,

specifically the Tennessee Volunteers, have always been Ticket

No. 1, the Grizzlies’ arrival came at a time when professional

sports were infiltrating the state. In 1997, Tennessee added the

NFL’s Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans) as an existing

franchise. In 1998, the NHL added the Nashville Predators as an

expansion franchise. 

The Grizzlies first two seasons in Memphis were a struggle, going

23-59 and 28-54 respectively. However, seeds were being sown

for success thanks to the hiring of Jerry West, who oversaw five

NBA championships. West’s stint as Grizzlies GM lasted from

2002-2011. 

From 2004-2017, the Grizzlies made the postseason 10 times,

including three consecutive seasons of 50 wins or more (2013-

2015). The franchise’s first postseason series win came in 2010-

2011, when as the No. 8 seed, the Grizzlies upset the top-seeded

San Antonio Spurs. In 2012-2013, the Grizzlies went 56-26 in the

regular season and advanced to the Western Conference Finals,

where the Spurs swept them. The 2010-2017 stint was known

as the “Grit and Grind” era because the Grizzlies relied on a

stifling defense and just enough offense. 

Today, I put together the Grizzlies Dream Team. There are some

rigid criteria in making this team. First of all, the player needed to

have played for the Grizzlies for a minimum of four seasons -- no

exceptions. However, one of these roster spots is merely being

kept warm until 2019-2020 rookie sensation Ja Morant

completes his four seasons. 

Since the free agency era began 30 years ago, that standard

needs to be in place. Two-year rentals don’t make this list. This

roster is all-encompassing from all eras. 

Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making this team.

This is basketball, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame

is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise.

The number of All-NBA seasons are a top consideration with

longevity also helping immensely. While I understand it is hard

to compare eras, I’m not going to convolute this discussion. 

Generational reminders

Being on the Grizzlies during a season of being a contender does

not get you a hall pass on this team. However, being on the

Grizzlies during a bad season, of which there have been many, is

no deterrent to getting a spot on this team. Winning or losing eras,

all high-level performers get considered. 

To further the challenge, the modern game has evolved into

positionless basketball. The roster will comprise 15 players

encompassing all eras. The starting lineup will be position specific,

after that it will be the best of the rest with four years playing for the

franchise being the first requirement. 

So, if you want to make a case for a player being on the team,

don’t just tell me he should be there and why, tell me who you

would remove. Before you make a case to put someone on the

list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that position?”

Starters

Point guard: Michael Conley

Conley, who is now a member of the Utah Jazz, has been one of

the more underrated point guards in the league throughout his

career. Though he has never been named a Western Conference

All-Star, his career averages are 14.9 points, 5.6 assists and 1.4

steals per game. 

Conley earned NBA All Defensive second team honors for the

2012-2013 season. Conley is the franchise’s all time leader in

games played, steals, assists and points scored. 

Shooting guard: Tony Allen

Upon joining the Grizzlies as a free agent from the Boston Celtics,

Allen became the heart of the Grit and Grind era. Allen was limited

offensively but was a premier perimeter defender, frequently

drawing the assignment of defending the opposing team's best

wing player.

Allen was a three-time first team NBA All Defensive selection and

three more times as a second teamer. Los Angeles Lakers legend

Kobe Bryant once referred to Allen as the best defender that he

had faced. In his career as a Grizzly, Allen averaged 8.9 points,

4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.7 steals. 

Small forward: Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Abdur-Rahim was the No. 3 overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft.

Abdur-Rahim played 12 NBA seasons for four teams the first five

of which were with the Vancouver Grizzlies. In the franchise's

early seasons, Abdur-Rahim was the centerpiece.

He made the NBA All-Rookie team in 1996-1997. In his years with

the Grizzlies, Abdur-Rahim averaged 20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds

and 2.9 assists per contest. Though he played some power

forward throughout his career, his time as a Grizzly was mostly a

small forward, making him an easy choice for this team at this

position. 

Power forward: Pau Gasol

Gasol was the No. 3 overall pick in the NBA draft in 2001, the

franchise's first in Memphis. The Spanish born Gasol became the

first foreign player in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year honors.

Offensively, Gasol was a significant threat in the low-post and

could score in a variety of places as a mid-range shooter. Gasol

is one of the most skilled passing big men in NBA history.

Gasol was later traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, whom he helped

win two NBA championships. Gasol was a six-time All-Star and

also NBA All-Rookie first team in 2002. 

Center: Marc Gasol

Marc Gasol is the younger brother of Pau but the two actually never

played together with the Grizzlies. Marc was part of the trade that

sent Pau to the Lakers. The younger Gasol, however, provided 10

productive seasons with the Grizzlies before being traded to the

Toronto Raptors, for whom he helped win an NBA championship

in 2019. Gasol is second in franchise history in games played,

points and assists and is the franchise's all-time leader in rebounds.

Gasol is a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA, one of which

was as a first-teamer. Gasol was the NBA Defensive Player of the

Year in 2013. In a Grizzlies uniform, Gasol averaged 15.2 points,

7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. 

Bench (alphabetical order)

Shane Battier:

Battier was the sixth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft by the then

Vancouver Grizzlies. Battier spent his first five seasons with the

Grizzlies followed by five more with the Houston Rockets and

returned to Memphis in 2010-2011 to help the franchise to its first

playoff series victory. Battier was not the most prolific scorer

averaging 10.3 points per game but he was a very solid all-

around defender with the ability to guard three positions, shooting

guard power forward and small forward.

Rudy Gay: 

Gay, who is now a San Antonio Spur, spent his first seven seasons

with the Grizzlies. Gay was a prolific scorer who was NBA All-

Rookie first-team in 2007. During his time with the Grizzlies, he

averaged 17.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists 1.3 steals. 

O.J. Mayo:

Mayo entered the NBA with high expectations as the No. 3 overall

pick in the 2008 draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Mayo was

later part of a trade that sent him to the Grizzlies. Mayo spent four

of his eight seasons in Memphis and brought a lot of off the court

baggage. On the court, however, he had some moments of

productivity averaging 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds 2.7 assists and

1.1 steals.

Mike Miller:

Miller had the versatility to play both shooting guard and small

forward. His forte was long distance shooting, making good on

42% of his 3-pointers during his tenure with Memphis. Miller was

the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2006. In his six seasons with

the Grizzlies, Miller averaged 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0

assists. 

Zach Randolph:

Randolph spent eight seasons with the Grizzlies and remains

the franchise third all-time leading scorer and second all-time

leading rebounder. Both of his career All Star appearances

came in a Grizzlies uniform. Randolph played a significant role

in the franchise recording their first playoff series victory. Randolph

averaged a double-double, 16.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per

game at a Grizzlies uniform. 

Bryant Reeves:

Nicknamed “Big Country,” Reeves was the franchise's first ever

draft choice while in Vancouver. Reeves' career was short-lived

at six years mainly due to weight issues and injury issues.

Reeves, however, had four productive seasons with the Grizzlies

averaging 12.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Reeves was

NBA All-Rookie second team in 1996. 

Stromile Swift:

Swift spent seven seasons with the Grizzlies that covered two

different stints. Two of those seasons involved double-figure

scoring. As a Grizzly, Swift averaged 8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds

and 1.4 blocked shots per game. 

Jason Williams:

Williams was known as “White Chocolate” because of his flashy

style of play that was at times reckless in his first three seasons

as a Sacramento King. Williams, however, used a more disciplined

approach after having been traded. In his career with the Grizzlies,

Williams averaged 11.5 points and 7.6 assists per game along

with 1.3 steals as a Grizzly. 

Lorenzen Wright:

Wright played in the NBA for 13 Seasons, five of which were with

the Grizzlies. Two of those seasons involved double-figure scoring.

His most productive seasons came in Memphis averaging 9.4

points, 7.1 rebounds per game.

Head coach: Lionel Hollins

Hollins is the longest-tenured coach in franchise history at seven

years, which covers a four-year stretch as the head coach and

two separate stints as interim coach. Hollins has recorded the

most regular-season and playoff victories in franchise history.

Hollins led the franchise to their first playoff victory in 2010-2011,

upsetting the No. 1 seeded San Antonio Spurs. Two years later,

Hollins led the Grizzlies to their best record in franchise history

56-26 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

Team: 2012-2013

This team gets the nod and it's not even close. This version of

the Grizzlies went 56-26 in the regular season defeating the

Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder on the way

to reaching the Western Conference Finals. This Memphis team

epitomizes the Grit and Grind era, averaging 93.4 points on

offense and boasting the stingiest defense in the league

allowing just 84.4 points per game.