We’ve reached the initial team that will win a ring this season without fully shocking the people: the Memphis Grizzlies.
Rest guaranteed a championship for the Grizzlies, who barely made it to the postseason last year with a list of 50-32 (the 17th reminder the West is loaded), would be a surprise. Zach Randolph is 33, and Mike Miller, a key floor-spacing shot in the past year’s underwhelming crime, followed LeBron James to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Scoring, as always, will be an issue for the Grizz.
But this team will defend like crazy, especially with some slimmed-down Marc Gasol patrolling the midst ahead of the 2015 free agency. Toss in Tony Allen, the NBA’s funniest perimeter stopper, and you have got the crucial components to get a league-best defense.
Vince Carter remains a precious wing defender who will run a pick-and-roll and hit the occasional three, and Mike Conley is a playoff-tested fighter who just keeps getting better.
And remember, we’ve seen this Grizzlies core knock off the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder in playoff series over the previous four years. Nobody scares Memphis in the postseason.
When the Grizzlies can stay healthier and Gasol puts a big year, they are a dark-horse contender.

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