Fansided

10 NBA personalities suffering from Middle Child Syndrome

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers are seen after the game in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 25: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers are seen after the game in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on May 25, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 20: Mike Conley
MEMPHIS, TN – APRIL 20: Mike Conley /

9. Memphis Grizzlies

There is nothing spectacular about the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s kind of a running joke. “Grit and Grind” is a fancy nickname given to the team by fans because “Blah and Boring” isn’t marketable. They don’t have any star players with outspoken personalities. They don’t play a beautiful brand of offensive basketball that looks good on highlights.

They’re just consistently one of the best teams in the NBA, making the playoffs for seven straight seasons. Opponents always praise them for how tough they are to play against. They don’t do anything fancy. Their point guard isn’t pulling up from 30 feet or dropping nightly triple-doubles and their bigs aren’t redefining the position.

Mike Conley has been called “underrated” so often that Webster’s has changed the definition of the word to “Mike Conley.” Marc Gasol has been one of the best two-way centers in the league for years. Then there were guys like Tony Allen and Zach Randolph, who fit the philosophy and dynamic of the organization.

Yet, no one cares because they haven’t won a championship and don’t have young budding stars. They’re just the Grizzlies. A solid team who no one thinks about or pays attention to until they are on the verge of upsetting your favorite team in the playoffs.

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