"I believe you build a small-market franchise through the draft," Heisley said. "San Antonio built their franchise through the draft. Nobody used to go see San Antonio. They got (David) Robinson and (Tim) Duncan through the draft and now they've got the nucleus of a team."

Second-year point guard Mike Conley, the team's first-round draft choice in 2007, points to a more recent example of who the Grizzlies want to copy.

"We have the ability to eventually be a team like Portland," Conley said. "They were drafting a lot of young players and eventually they came together and became a good team."

The heart of the Grizzlies consists of players 23 years old and younger with three or fewer years of NBA experience, such as Conley, rookie O.J. Mayo and third-year forward Rudy Gay, one of the NBA's most improved players last year.

With all the young legs, it fits with second-year coach Marc Iavaroni's up-tempo style. But Iavaroni wants to see more penetration and more ball movement.

And he doesn't want anyone to use his team's youth as an excuse for not being competitive.

"I don't want to talk about being young," Iavaroni said. "That's an excuse. We're not going to use it as one."

COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Marc Iavaroni, 2nd year overall, 2nd with Grizzlies (22-60). Assistants -- Kevin O'Neill, Johnny Davis, Andy Greer, David Joerger, Ron DuBois.

LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 22-60 (5th in the Southwest)

THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 32-50 (5th in the Southwest).

POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: The Grizzlies are overloaded with guards, and some of them are trade bait. Veteran G Greg Buckner will probably contribute the most of any of the vets added in the trade from Minnesota. Late free agent signee Quinton Ross may jump into the eight-player rotation. Second-year G Mike Conley's game will take a huge jump this year, as did Rudy Gay's game did last year.