Grizzlies Trade for Matt Barnes, May Have the Toughest Team in the NBA

Matt Barnes, Tony Allen and Zach Randolph? Yes, the Memphis Grizzlies might have the toughest team in the NBA. Barnes was recently traded from the Clippers to the Hornets in the Lance Stephenson deal, and today he was traded to Memphis for Luke Ridnour.

Allen is 33, Randolph turns 34 in July, and Barnes is 35, so these three aren’t in their prime, but if you’re putting together a list of the 20 guys in the NBA who aren’t backing down from anyone, don’t fear technical fouls and will get in anyone’s face, this trio makes the cut.

More importantly: The Grizzlies led the Warriors 2-1 before Golden State figured out how to defend Memphis – let Tony Allen shoot. Steve Kerr shifted Andrew Bogut to shade toward Allen, but give him any jumper he wanted. Allen couldn’t deliver. Bogut helped out inside. The Grizzlies had to pull Allen off the floor, and Stephen Curry took over. The Warriors won three games in a row.

Next year? They’ll have Barnes on the floor in exchange for Allen offensively – though both will play together, too – and not lose too much defensively. Memphis, health pending, should be a threat to win the West (again) next year.