We have arrived at the unofficial "start" of the NBA season. The league continues to try to make the NBA Cup a thing (to mixed results), but traditionally, Christmas is the time the NBA takes center stage in the American sports consciousness. Football season is slowing down, winter is here, and basketball's time is now.
For the Memphis Grizzlies, that means a moment to reflect.
The team does not play again until Dec. 26, so as the Christmas holiday approaches, its work to establish who it is before the national slate of NBA games is complete. At 14-16, Memphis is firmly in the Western Conference play-in mix — but it's closer to out of the postseason race than to being a playoff team.