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The Memphis Grizzlies are a confident group of players, currently holding the eighth spot in the race for the playoffs. They are so confident, in fact, that they compare themselves to some of the best teams in the game.

"I feel Zach Randolph is just as talented as Kevin Garnett, I feel Rudy Gay is just as talented as Paul Pierce, I feel Mike Conley is just as talented as Rajon Rondo and O.J. Mayo can shoot the three like Ray (Allen)," Tony Allen told HOOPSWORLD. "All the guys are buying in now and we’re buying in and we just have to get a more consistent effort."

Now that the trade deadline has come and gone, some believe the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz trades make the Western Conference weaker. Whether or not that is true, the members of the Grizzlies continue to keep the right perspective, knowing they shouldn’t overlook anyone in the league.

"It’s still the NBA," said Zach Randolph. "Guys still can play, so we just have to come out and take one game at a time. We have 20-something games left and they’re all real important for us. We have to understand what we’re trying to play for and where were trying to get."

And they have to do so without one of their best players in Rudy Gay, who is missing significant time with a shoulder injury. Yet, early on during his absence, the team continues to play well and gathering wins.

"We haven’t really practiced since Rudy’s been gone, so when we get to practice we’re going to find all the stuff that we are going to be able to do," said Marc Gasol. "It’s a little different, of course. We’re used to playing with Rudy and he’s able to do stuff that nobody else is able to do, but all the guys are stepping up and we’re learning to play through other people. We just have to make plays for somebody else."

Another obstacle to overcome is the Mayo situation. At the trade deadline, Mayo was traded to the Indiana Pacers, but finds himself back where he began. While there are conflicting reports as to why the trade didn’t become official, it also isn’t that important to the players since they’re the ones who have to play together on the court. They enjoy playing together and their focus hasn’t changed.

"We’re still trying to reach that goal that we set out for this year, which was to make the playoffs," said Mayo. "You have all types of things that come up, adversity and injuries that you don’t want to happen, but they happen. Every day when we practice and guys are competing against each other, we are just trying to get better. Before and after practice you’re seeing guys staying and trying to get better. Like I said, you never wish for any of your best players to get hurt, but when they do a young player’s mindset is ‘Here’s my opportunity to show that I can play.’ They might not be a Rudy Gay, but they still can come out and contribute, trying to help our team win."

{AUTHOR_BOX}The confidence the Grizzlies have comes from what they have been able to accomplish on the court, which is growing together as a team. At this point, they feel they are a better team than last season when they just missed out on their goal.

"The team has grown in all aspects," said Randolph. "Defensively, offensively, playing together and having faith that we can win games. We’ve grown a lot. We have Tony Allen, Sam Young and guys who are stepping it up and playing great defense. We’ve all been stepping up on the defensive end, getting to the right spots, helping each other out and having each other’s backs. It’s been improving a lot. We’re doing a lot more, playing more together, getting defensive stops and believing we can win."

Teammate Marc Gasol puts it in much simpler terms and, hopefully for the sake of their own goal of the playoffs the entire team subscribes to his train of thought.

"We understand that this game is not about one player, but the whole team," said Gasol. "When we play as a team, we win basketball games and when we play as individuals, we won’t."

The Memphis Grizzlies have been in both of these situations before, making a playoff push and playing without one of their best players. That’s another reason why their collective confidence remains high, as the team has had its share of adversity before and they’ve come through without many scrapes.

"We’ve been in this situation before," said Allen. "We just lost O.J. Mayo from a 10-game suspension. We always come together when we’re short somebody and that’s what we’re going to have to do at the end of the day. We’re just hoping Rudy gets a speedy, but healthy recovery because we definitely need him. He’s our leader."

As they try to get past the drama of the Mayo trade deadline situation, they continue to say the right things. Now, it’s up to them to live by their words.

"We just pretty much worry about the Memphis Grizzlies and whatever advantages we can take from the trades," said Mayo. "We definitely will take them, but we just worry about our team, our organization and hoping that we do what’s best for our team."

What would be best for this young Memphis Grizzlies team would be to secure a playoff spot. Adding a solid veteran like Shane Battier to their young core is a fine addition and should only help them reach that goal.