NBA Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies Have Unbreakable Veteran Chemistry

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By @The_Only_Grubes

Memphis Grizzlies

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The Memphis Grizzlies have emerged victorious once again this season, beating the New Orleans Pelicans 93-81 Monday night in a game that was predicated on defense, as most of the Grizzlies’ contests are.

New Orleans was held to 33.7 percent shooting from the floor, and 16.7 percent from beyond the three point line. Memphis got after the Pelicans early on defense, making life difficult for their guards to initiate offense and create on the perimeter. Offensively, the Grizzlies dominated inside, with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combining for 31 points and 22 rebounds.

The Grizzlies are now 4-0 on the season for the first time in franchise history. That accomplishment can be attributed to the fact that the Grizzlies have been playing with each other for a number of years now, and they are veterans capable of staying calm and producing late in the game.

With experienced talents such as Gasol, Randolph, Mike Conley and Tony Allen, Memphis is able to throw defensive tenacity with smart-minded offensive playmaking out on the floor every night for 48 minutes because of the quality of both the starting unit as well as the bench. Players like Vince Carter, Quincy Pondexter, Tayshaun Prince and Kosta Koufos have  been in tough situations before, and know what it takes to win close games and compete for a title.

The biggest takeaway from the brilliant chemistry on display for the Grizzlies has to be the ball movement and passing. Time and time again, the Grizzlies seem to be able to find each other on the court at all times, making the passes when they count and setting each other up for shots that are exactly in each player’s wheelhouse.

Ball movement is the most important aspect to a championship offense, and the Grizzlies have certainly put that on display so far in the year. Offensive movement combined with experienced team defense allows for Memphis to be primed and ready to make a huge championship run this season. If Gasol and Randolph can continue to be the anchors down low for the Grizzlies on both ends of the floor, then there is no reason why this team cannot continue to go far this season. The Grizzlies simply enjoy playing with one another and love helping each other out on both ends of the floor, and that kind of team bond is unbreakable once everyone has bought into the system, which it appears that everyone has.

Experience and chemistry help when it comes to succeeding at the highest level, just ask all of the championship teams that have won in the past.

Nathan Grubel is an NBA writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @The_Only_Grubes, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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