Predicting 2013-14 Western Conference Standings Pre-Free Agency

No. 4  Seed – Memphis Grizzlies (2012-13 – No. 5 Seed)

May 25, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Tony Allen (9) Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) and Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph (50) take a walk off the court in game three of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at FedEx Forum. San Antonio Spurs defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 104-93, and lead the series 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

The San Antonio Spurs ended the Memphis Grizzlies’ playoff run in a four-game sweep.

But the Grizzlies had an impressive regular season. Three members of their starting lineup were selected to the All-Defensive teams. Tony Allen being selected to the first team, Marc Gasol won the Defensive Player of the Year (he also made the second team) and Mike Conley was selected to the second team.

Zach Randolph has played for four teams in his 12 years, but it seems like he has found his home with the “Grit and Grind” Grizzlies.The frontcourt combination of him and Gasol has won the hearts and minds of Grizzlies fans, and his particular brand of hard-nosed basketball enabled him to lead the league in offensive rebounds despite his notoriously small vertical.

The Grizzlies are in the market for a head coach, and they could potentially lose Tony Allen.  A new coach could add that spark to get them past the second round. Allen will also likely stay in Memphis because of his relationship with the team. Plus, his slightly disappointing playoff performance may have lowered his stock.

A bright spot has also emerged in Quincy Pondexter, who, at times, seemed like the only Grizzly who could find his niche against the Spurs.

It will be a busy offseason for the Grizzlies, but they will continue to be a playoff fixture.