If Grindhouse era is over, its spirit lived in Memphis’ season-ending loss

8:26 PM ET

MEMPHIS — Before and after the Memphis Grizzlies’ season-ending loss Sunday, injured point guard Mike Conley was the big story. In between, there was a drama-free, series-clinching game, a 116-95 Spurs win that looked like so many San Antonio clinchers from the past two decades. Yet, if you think the game was an afterthought, you weren’t around afterward.

Sunday’s lost cause exemplified why national logic might not apply to the Grizzlies’ local perspective. Simply put, this is a tightly knit basketball culture, one that encompasses the constantly evolving roster, the coaching staff and the collegiate-like fans who refused to leave even after the final buzzer sounded after Game 4, ending a season that really was ruined several months ago by Marc Gasol’s foot injury.

“In my 15 years, I never — especially playoffs or going into the postseason — have [dealt with] all these injuries,” forward Zach Randolph said, noting this was his most emotionally trying season.

If you believe Conley is going to be lured away from his only NBA home, then you might also believe Sunday’s game served as a swan song for the Grindhouse era. After all, Memphis would be unlikely to attract a free agent comparable to Conley. Randolph, Matt Barnes and Tony Allen are in their mid-30s. Vince Carter is pushing 40. And Gasol’s injury casts at least some doubt that he’ll be the same franchise center he was before ending up on crutches.

But the end-of-an-era stuff applies only if you really believe Conley is leaving. He didn’t sound like it during his Q&A. Sure, in the moment, players often say what they think they’re supposed to say. They also usually leave themselves some wiggle room; Conley didn’t. If your cynical mind suggests he was just blowing smoke, don’t forget what he was doing on that podium: accepting a sportsmanship award.

When asked if he sees himself as a part of Memphis’ future, Conley said, “I have never said anything different. But this summer will definitely be a fun one. Free agency is new for me, so we will see how it goes.”

Afterward, …

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