Former Blazer, Now A Coach Has Team Off To Good Start

Sitting atop the NBA standings is new territory for the Memphis Grizzlies. Just getting off to a fast start is unusual. The Grizzlies, who usually stumble out the gate, are a league-best 13-3. They've never had a better record after the first 16 games of the season. They were 11-5 in 2005-06 and 10-6 last season. Coach Lionel Hollins, a longtime Portland Trail Blazer during his playing career and lists several reasons for the great start, ranging from scheduling to preseason preparation to better chemistry. Hollins was a member of and a key contributor on the Blazers team the won their only NBA title in 1977. Guard Mike Conley credits a different mindset at the start of training camp for the turnaround. He says the Grizzlies already were in shape and in mid-season form mentally for their season-opener. So far, so good. The Grizzlies are the NBA's best after a 108-98 overtime win over Phoenix on Tuesday night.