Memphis Grizzlies In No Mood For Rebuilding Or Trading
What's the story?
Memphis Grizzlies won't shift into rebuilding mode this season after extending their losing streak to nine, two days after firing their coach David Fizdale.
In case you didn't know...
The Memphis Grizzlies have made it to seven consecutive playoff appearances which is tied for the second-longest active postseason streak behind that of none other than the San Antonio Spurs.
The heart of the matter...
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace was resolute on the subject of not trading center Marc Gasol or guard Mike Conley when asked about the same after the Grizzlies lost 104-95 to the Spurs as Wallace told ESPN "We never seriously considered that at all. We never placed any calls to any teams in that regard. So that's not happening.
"It's not just Marc that this whole equation is about. It's also Mike Conley, when he comes back. We've got two guys among the elite in the league at their respective positions that are still very much in their window with an awful lot of tread left on their tires."
Injuries have been the major concern for the Grizzlies and has been the primary factor for their losing streak. Conley, 30, has missed the past seven games due to soreness in his left Achilles tendon and heel, and the team announced Wednesday that he would return in two to three weeks.
Wallace remains to keep a positive mindset and believes in his teams' ability to still fight for a place in the playoffs this season as he says "We're full speed ahead," Wallace said. "We've been in the playoffs seven years in a row. We've got a team when fully healthy and we get everything together is more athletic, more versatile and more potent offensively than we've had for a number of years. Even though the going has been a little difficult early, there's still 62 [games] to play. We believe in this team. We're hoping -- got our fingers crossed -- that we'll get everybody healthy soon.
"Our expectation always is to be a playoff team and have a chance to do some things when we get in there. We're behind in the standings right now, but it's a long way to go. When we get our guys back, I think we'll surge."
What's next?
The Grizzlies have a chance to redeem themselves as they take on the Spurs (14-7) again, this time on their home floor on Friday.
Author's take
With the increased competition in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies really need to think things over. If they don't want to trade both Gasol and Conley, they need to assemble a roster around them as soon as possible as both of them are not getting any younger with every passing year.