Fansided

1 move every NBA team needs to make to beat the Warriors

By Brad Rowland

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with the Larry O
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with the Larry O /
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Dec 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and center Marc Gasol (33) look on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. The Hornets won 123-99. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and center Marc Gasol (33) look on during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum. The Hornets won 123-99. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies: Bring the band back and pray

The Grizzlies are in a tough spot and everybody knows it.

Memphis has been very good for a long time, but with their best player (Marc Gasol) coming off an injury-plagued season and their second-best player (Mike Conley) facing unrestricted free agency, the Grizzlies are in a state of flux. More than that, though, is the fact that even if Conley and Gasol are back and fully healthy, this is a team with a fairly defined ceiling.

The Grizzlies have more salary cap flexibility than you might think, thanks to the massive jump this off-season, but it won’t be enough to entice top-shelf talent. In addition, Memphis doesn’t have a very long window, considering that both Gasol and Conley are getting up there in age when compared to their contemporaries.

There is, of course, nothing inherently wrong with being good and not great in the NBA, but it probably won’t result in a title for this core. Memphis’ best strategy in usurping the Warriors would probably be to keep everyone in place, add on the periphery and hope that the unit can peak at the right time under a new head coach in a different offensive scheme.

Will that work? Probably not, but it is likely better than trying to fully rebuild on the fly in a (very) small NBA market.

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