A Q&A with Joe Mullinax of SB Nation’s Grizzlies site Grizzly Bear Blues.

What needs to happen for this to be an enjoyable season for Grizzlies fans?

The team needs to stay healthy and find ways to integrate new (and hopefully healthy) pieces into a winning system. Memphis moved on from Zach Randolph and Tony Allen in the offseason, and that hurt the fan base a good bit. While most understand it was time, the pieces replacing them need to have some success and stay on the court in order for the transition to be "worth it."

Memphis Grizzlies / Projected Starters
Position	Starters	Bench
Guards	Mike Conley	Tyreke Evans Mario Chalmers Andrew Harrison Wade Baldwin IV
Wings	James Ennis Wayne Selden	Chandler Parsons Ben McLemore (injured) Rade Zagorac Dillon Brooks
Bigs	Marc Gasol JaMychal Green	Brandan Wright Deyonta Davis Jarell Martin

What makes Grizzlies fans most excited about this year? What makes Grizzlies fans most nervous?

The unknown. For the first time in a long time, outside of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, folks have no idea what to expect from this team.

That is a gift and a curse. This group needed to be shaken up a little bit, but at the same time, the most successful era in Grizzlies basketball history just came to an end. What follows, especially considering all the ownership questions currently surrounding Memphis, should make every Grizzlies fan a bit apprehensive.

Gut Check

Survey data collected from site writers and editors. The wider the graph the more optimism and trust the fans have in their team! The grey line indicates the average of all sites' collected data.

5.9

Out of 10

How good will your team be this year

3.9

Out of 10

Are they on the rise or on the decline

5.6

Out of 10

Are fans happy with the team’s direction or angry

6.6

Out of 10

Are they trying to win now or build for the future

What storyline might a national audience be missing about the Grizzlies?

Tyreke Evans is a member of the club and is on a one-year "show me" contract. He will be given plenty of opportunity to revitalize his career. With the Chandler Parsons reclamation getting most of the attention, Evans is not getting the buzz he deserves if he is truly as healthy as he claims. He could be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate if David Fizdale plans to use him that way.

Why should neutrals pay attention to the Grizzlies this year?

Gasol is a blast to watch. Conley should take another step as a scorer with more athleticism and ball-handlers surrounding him. Fizdale is a threat to have an awesome press conference every night.

Plus, the Grizzlies role players of today may be on your roster next season! Evans, Brandan Wright, and several others are on one-year deals.

What's your prediction for the season?

42-40, No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The transition continues.