Dave Joerger has listened to people say the Memphis Grizzlies might have dropped off among the elite teams in the Western Conference, but he maintains the team remains a contender.

“I feel like we addressed some of our team needs,” Joerger said. “We’ve added championship experience. We’ve added IQ. We’ve added shooting. We’re trying to grow from within. Those are all very positive. You better be ready to play in the West.

"Houston got better. Golden State got better. Minnesota got better. And the Clippers have definitely improved themselves. I also feel like we’ve kept up.”

Training camp starts in about five weeks, and Joerger wants his players to use last season's sweep in the Western Conference Finals as motivation.

“I don’t want the bad taste in our mouths (from being swept in the West Finals) to be forgotten,” Joerger said.