The Memphis Grizzlies established a culture that was unparalleled compared to other teams. When other teams zigged, the Grizzlies zagged. They surrounded the team with players nobody wanted to play against. They made you scratch and claw for victories by pulling them into the mud. Even the fastest teams had to slow it down to a methodical pace only fit for the Grizzlies.
Zach Randolph and Tony Allen established the “grit and grind” culture. While Mike Conley and Marc Gasol were the two players originally in Memphis, Randolph and Allen snatched up the locker room, and everyone followed suit.