Memphis Grizzlies
PG – Mike Conley Jr.
Like Kemba Walker in Charlotte, Mike Conley Jr. has managed to place his name atop several of the Memphis Grizzlies all-time leaderboards. The Grizzlies might have just shipped Conley Jr. off to Utah but he’s still done enough while in Memphis to be worthy of this spot. The biggest travesty of Conley Jr.’s time with the Grizzlies is that he was never able to make it onto an All-Star team.
SG – Tony Allen
Tony Allen was and still is the “Grindfather”. Allen’s commitment to defense came at the cost of a fleshed out offensive game. Yet, his defense was so insanely good that it often didn’t matter that he was a net negative offensively. Allen will forever be immortalized for his “FIRST TEAM ALL DEFENSE” shouts during the playoffs.
SF – Shane Battier
Another strong defender from Memphis’ past, Shane Battier was a much better all-around player than Tony Allen. Battier and Pau Gasol carried the load for the team after moving from Vancouver, British Columbia to Memphis, Tennessee. Battier’s basketball IQ was second to none during his NBA career and it helped him be one of the most impactful players whenever he was on the court.
PF – Pau Gasol
The team’s biggest name as they transitioned from Vancouver to Memphis, Pau Gasol often gets forgotten because his biggest contribution to winning with the Grizzlies might have come when he was traded for his brother Marc Gasol. Pau’s ability to play inside-out as a power forward made him a top-tier talent over the course of his NBA career.
C – Marc Gasol
Just like Conley Jr. Marc Gasol was a big part of Memphis during the “Grit ‘N’ Grind” era and was also traded by the team despite being such an integral part of what the Grizzlies had built. Gasol won Defensive Player of the Year in Memphis and his passing abilities combined with stretching his game out to the three-point line made him one of the most complete centers in the game.