The GNG Memphis Grizzlies were Brienne of Tarth on a basketball court: far from the prettiest, but stoic, determined, and brutally effective. Their rugged style endeared them deeply to the blue-collar city of Memphis, and NBA fans nostalgic for the days of the Bad Boys Pistons and 90’s Knicks.
While they gutted their way to several deep playoff runs, the NBA habitat swiftly shifted around the Grizzlies, leaving their ground-and-pound style in the dust. “Space and pace” became the name of the game; grit and grind were no longer sufficient.
While the writing had been on the wall for months, the death knell came this summer with Zach Randolph finding a new home – and Tony Allen almost certain to follow.