LOS ANGELES — The Memphis Grizzlies don’t own a Larry O’Brien Trophy. They’ve never won a game during the conference finals, let alone appeared in the NBA Finals during their 21 years in the league (the first six of which were in Vancouver).
But they do have pictures of the trophy prominently displayed in the hallway leading from their locker room to the court at the FedExForum. It’s one of head coach David Fizdale’s many personal touches and another not-so-subtle nod to the Grizzlies’ grander plan of upgrading the organization from perennial Western Conference pest to legitimate title contender.