Memphis Grizzlies, 113.6 rating, 29th overall (15th seed in the West)
Here's where things get a little tricky. The Grizzlies have a few players (noted with an asterisk) who won't be on their roster for the tournament because they'll be playing for other teams, so we just take the next guy in line and move on from there.
*1. Pau Gasol (39.2 rating) - #16, Forward
Resume: 2002-2008, 476 Games, 18.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 53.8 Win Shares, 1 All-Star Selection, 2002 Rookie of the Year
Sorry, Grizzlies fans (all seven of you), Pau made the cut for the Lakers so he'll be suiting up in purple and gold for this thing instead of blue and... blue, I guess.
2. Shane Battier (16.9) - #31, Forward
Resume: 2002-2006, 396 Games, 10.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, 33.8 Win Shares
Talent-wise, Battier's probably not the 2nd best Grizzly ever, but he's a solid player, and definitely isn't going to hurt the team.
3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (15.9) - #3, Forward
Resume: 1997-2001, 375 Games, 20.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 31.7 Win Shares
Well, he probably had his best years with the Hawks, but the Hawks don't need him, so he gets to be the best player on this Grizzlies team. Also, our first Vancouver only player.
4. Mike Miller (15.0) - #33, Forward
Resume: 2003-2008, 371 Games, 14.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.3 APG, 29.7 Win Shares, 2006 Sixth Man of the Year
You know, I had totally forgotten Mike Miller played for the Grizzlies. I have no idea why. He spent the majority of his career there (five and a half seasons). I just remember the Rookie of the Year with the Magic, then last season with the Wizards, and this season with the Heat. (The Timberwolves were in there before Washington, as well, but I had forgotten that too.) Also, I'm pretty sure Mike Miller is the only man to win Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year. I did absolutely no research to verify that, but it feels right. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
5. Zach Randolph (9.8) - #50, Forward
Resume: 2010, 81 Games, 20.8 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.8 APG, 9.7 Win Shares, 1 All-Star Selection
Ah, the power of making one All-Star team. It catapulted Randolph into the top five. Thanks mostly to the fact that it was only the second All-Star selection in team history. (Also, the Grizz are getting a little heavy on forwards...)
6. Stromile Swift (9.3) - #4, Forward
Resume: 2002-2008, 441 Games, 8.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 18.5 Win Shares
7. Lorenzen Wright (8.0) - #42, Forward-Center
Resume: 2002-2006, 335 Games, 9.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 1.0 APG, 16.0 Win Shares
I'm almost positive these guys were actually the same player... Not entirely sure why, but I always got them confused for one another.
*8. Jason Williams (7.7) - #2, Guard
Resume: 2002-2005, 284 Games, 11.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 7.2 APG, 15.3 Win Shares
The Grizzlies first guard and he won't even be playing for them. Williams will be playing for the Heat in this thing, thanks mostly due to the fact that he was on their 2006 championship team.
9. Rudy Gay (7.6) - #22, Forward
Resume: 2007-2010, 318 Games, 17.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 15.2 Win Shares
I'm betting the Grizzlies are hoping he climbs way up this list after that contract they just handed him.
10. Marc Gasol (7.4) - #33, Center
Resume: 2009-2010, 151 Games, 13.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 14.8 Win Shares
At least the Grizzlies get one Gasol brother. (Side note: I really want to play the old Super Mario Bros. game with the Gasol brothers heads on Mario and Luigi a la the new NBA Jam style. Even one level of that would be awesome.)
11. Bryant Reeves (6.5) - #50, Center
Resume: 1996-2001, 395 Games, 12.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 13.0 Win Shares
Hey! Big Country! I remember him. Another Vancouver only player.
12. Hakim Warrick (6.2) - #21, Forward
Resume: 2006-2009, 307 Games, 10.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 0.7 APG, 12.4 Win Shares
I don't remember Hakim Warrick whatsoever. Apparently he signed with the Suns in the offseason. Let's move on.
13. Mike Bibby (6.2) - #10, Guard
Resume: 1999-2001, 214 Games, 14.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 7.8 APG, 12.3 Win Shares
Our second Vancouver only player. And our first "replacement player." As in, he's outside the top 12, but he's taking Pau's place. (That's a pretty steep decline for a replacement, I know.)
*14. James Posey (6.1) - #41, Forward-Guard
Resume: 2004-2005, 132 Games, 11.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 12.2 Win Shares
He would be our second replacement, however - wee the note for Jason Williams. Posey will also be on the Heat.
15. Mike Conley (4.8) - #11, Guard
Resume: 2008-2010, 215 Games, 10.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.7 APG, 9.6 Win Shares
So, Conley becomes our second/third replacement player and the final member of this Ultimate Grizzlies squad.
Just missed the cut:
16. O.J. Mayo (4.5)
17. Greg Anthony (4.2)
18. Chucky Atkins (3.9)
19. Michael Dickerson (3.7)
*20. Eddie Jones (3.7)
21. Earl Watson (3.2)
Outlook: You know, despite having only two guards, and being full of Memphis Grizzlies, this really isn't that bad of a team. They'd be much better off if they could have kept their best player ever, but even without Pau, there isn't anyone on this team that you'd be upset if they were actually on your favorite team. (Maybe Hakim Warrick... Sorry, Phoenix.) I mean, they're not going to win a series in this tournament, but I could see them possibly winning a game, or at least keeping things close.
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