Brown: Injury issues likely to doom Grizzlies

Memphis' arguably best player Marc Gasol went down in early February and was done for the season. Everything was in peril and the playoffs seem to be out of range. But somehow, the Grizzlies are in the playoffs to face the Spurs.

Injuries to key players created a perfect storm that resulted in the Grizzlies falling to 7th seed.

The Grizzlies are in the history books for being the first ever team to make the playoffs with 28 players on the roster in a single season. That's very impressive.

The Spurs won all four match-ups against the Grizzlies in the season series by an average of 12.5 points.

By that measure alone, this will be a tough series for the Grizzlies to win. Period.

I know the playoffs are a different monster and anything is possible. The Grizzlies upset the Spurs in the 2011 playoffs, but it won't happen this time. This injury-riddled season has derailed any hope of advancing in the playoffs.

The Grizzlies have started 28 starting line ups this season. Jordan Farmar and Chris Andersen weren't with the team at the beginning of the season. Familiarity with one another plays a key role in winning. The Grizzles dropped 10 of their final 11 games in the regular season.

There is not much confidence to build upon going into the playoffs. The Spurs are too deep as an all-around team even for this Grizzlies team. With the absence of Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Mario Chalmers and Brandan Wright, it will be improbable. 

Zach Randolph and Lance Stephenson pretty much are the most reliable offensive weapons the Grizzlies have at this point. I am not saying that's a bad thing, but they would need other players to step up in order to win at least one game.

Greg Popovich is one of the greatest coaches who ever coached in the NBA. Believe me, he will not allow his team to be beaten by Randolph and role players.

One thing is for sure, the Grizzlies will fight and won't quit. Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger was asked about their upcoming series with the Spurs:

“They’ve had a great season as well. Well coached, they plug in guys and go at it. Three guys are going to the Hall of Fame and Kawhi Leonard, who you could make the argument that he’s one of the top five players in the NBA, I think for that fifth spot I think there’s a couple different guys but I think he’s made a great case that he’s a top five player in this league as he plays both ways. They’re going to shoot the three. They’re a little different because they’re putting the ball in the post so much and getting in the paint, and it’s a problem. But we’re going to go out there and we’ll battle and see. All you’ve got to do is get one, and that’s what I just told our guys. If we can get one and you can find a crack, all of a sudden jumpers don’t come so free and easy, maybe you start making people think about it a little bit. I feel like Golden State had that look last year when it was 1-1, when it was 2-1. And then things can’t happen for you. We choose to look at that side of it.

I predict the Spurs will win in five games. I honestly believe the Grizzlies will muster up one lone victory. I just want this team to be fully healthy again and make some noise next season. #BelieveMemphis