The Memphis Grizzlies have been more than just an exciting young team this season, they have been one of the best teams in the entire NBA. Led by their young superstar Ja Morant, the Grizzlies are currently the #2 seed in the west and have the 2nd best record in the NBA. However, it has not been just the "Ja Morant show" as the Grizzlies have plenty of young talent to complement him. The 2nd year guard Desmond Bane has been a leading NBA Most Improved Player award candidate. The versatile forward Jaren Jackson has had a bounce back season leading the league in blocks. The Grizzlies are stacked with depth and talent at every position and seemed primed to go on a long playoff run. I will highlight the excellent season the Grizzlies are having and give my take on their chances to come out the west and the challenges they may face along the way.
The Grizzlies have an MVP candidate in Ja Morant and he has become every bit of the superstar the Grizzlies could have hoped for. He has averaged 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game while serving up some of the best highflying poster dunks. The Grizzlies are no doubt a better team with Ja on the floor but they have managed to find a winning formula when he is out. The Grizzlies have a record of 17-2 without their all star. Some of their best wins occurred recently as they won big against the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. Players like De'Anthony Melton and Tyus Jones have stepped up in Ja's absence playing excellent basketball. The record without Ja could be deceiving come playoff time as the Grizzlies know they will need their superstar to go as far as they believe they can go. With Ja being out the next couple weeks with a knee injury, the Grizzlies will need to maintain their high level of play in his absence. When Ja returns, likely at the start of the playoffs, he will need to return to his MVP level form for the Grizzlies to be a true contender like they expect to be.
Youth and inexperience at times can be be a major detractor for young teams. In the case of the Grizzlies, it has shown to be a plus as they play like a band of brothers on the court. Many of their best players have played like veterans with a chip on their shoulders this season. , Desmond Bane characterized it best in an ESPN all-access interview stating," We got a lot of dogs on this team." Those words ring true as Bane and several other players have an underdog mentality from being overlooked at some point in their basketball journeys. Bane in particular has been motivated by being drafted as a late first round as he felt overlooked despite his talent. It will be interesting come playoff time seeing how their underdog mentality will benefit them. I feel it will motivate them as many experts feel their inexperience could be a potential Achilles heel come playoff time.
The western conference is still as strong as ever and even though the Grizzlies are having a great season they are still not the favorites to come out the west. The favorites would be the reigning western conference champion Phoenix Suns along with the Golden State Warriors. Both teams have something the Grizzlies lack which is the experience of making deep playoff runs. The Warriors in particular seemed prepared to return their championship ways assuming they can get healthy come playoff time. As for the Suns, they to understand what it's like to have a chip on your shoulder as they looked focused on not only making it back to finals but winning it all. To compete with either in a possible conference finals matchup the Grizzlies will have to matchup well against their stars. Ja Morant would have to outplay either Chris Paul or Steph Curry if not for an entire series but at least in clutch moments to get his team over the hump. The most interesting player matchup between these contenders would be in the frontcourt. Jaren Jackson against Draymond Green could decide the series for the Grizzlies. Against the Suns, Grizzlies center Steven Adams could have his hands full matching up with Suns center, Deandre Ayton. Overall, the Grizzles will face a daunting road to the finals and will have to be at their best if matched up against these two elite conference powerhouses.
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies will be a difficult opponent for whoever they are matched up with as they fear no opponent. I believe the Grizzlies still have not played their best basketball and will shine on the big stage. They are arguably the most fun and entertaining team in the league and have earned all the respect they have gotten this season. The Grizzlies are proof that a team full of talented but young and inexperienced players is not an impediment to success but possibly the formula for it.
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