While the West Finals were a disappointing way for the season to end, they could hardly be described as a disappointing destination for this team.

So while a guy who might be the most effectively versatile defender in the history of basketball finishes second again this year, Marc Gasol will go down in the annals as the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year. Memphis’ efforts on D this year were worthy of celebration, perhaps just not with this award.

A regular season that’s been up, down, all-around through various realms of expectation for Memphis has drawn to a close, leaving the Grizzlies – more or less – where they figured to be.

While the Grizzlies’ recent success certainly isn’t indicative of a return to their early-season form, it lends credence to the idea that they could still be a threat in the West.

As Robert Pera stepped to the mic yesterday for the first time since his Nov. 2 Home-Opener Address, he faced plenty of questions about the current state and direction of his team. After all, these Grizzlies were a different lot than the ones he’d taken over, the ones he’d watched jump out to the NBA’s best record before approving their overhaul since his last public appearance.

What the Grizzlies have done with this trade however is ignore the solid foundation they already had, and the steady returns it yielded. They lost sight of the short-term for long savings, and it might cost them a shot at the game’s ultimate goal.

If Memphis’ front office thinks there’s no way they can contend for a title this year, they’re wrong. And if they think they have to trade Rudy Gay to make things better, they’re mistaken.

The mercurial tendency the Grizzlies have developed – playing their best against top opposition while randomly approaching lesser teams like Sunday morning YMCA runs – came to a head vs. Phoenix, as Memphis fell behind well into the double-digits against a reeling and rebuilding Suns squad in front of the GrindHouse crowd.

We’re mere days shy of being a full month into the NBA season; the cobwebs have come off, the last touches of rust are being polished away, and with all teams comfortably having 10+ games under their belts, an accurate picture of how they look to shape up is finally developing.

These Grizzlies are a tough bunch. Every early indication points to last season being behind them, and with Zach Randolph epitomizing their renewed hunger, the NBA should be on Grizzly Watch.