MEMPHIS – The supporting cast is revamped, the defensive mindset is restored and the quest to be a playoff contender in the West is renewed.
Yet, one hard truth remains the same for Memphis.
The Grizzlies simply won't build the early momentum they need to go very far this season if Mike Conley and Marc Gasol aren't clearly leading the way. And relatively soon. Sample sizes matter in the NBA, and it can be a foolish exercise to place too much – or too little – emphasis on anything less than a month into the season.