Why the Memphis Grizzlies are the most exciting team in the NBA
After another spectacular performance in last night’s 120-108 win over the New York Knicks, the Memphis Grizzlies (36-18) continue to remind the NBA that they are to be taken seriously. The Grizzlies currently sit in the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference while holding a commanding six-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the […]
After another spectacular performance in last night’s 120-108 win over the New York Knicks, the Memphis Grizzlies (36-18) continue to remind the NBA that they are to be taken seriously. The Grizzlies currently sit in the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference while holding a commanding six-game lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the Southwest Division.
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has been a human highlight reel all season long. Whether it’s a gravity-defying slam, an unthinkable assist, or a buzzer beater, Morant raises eyebrows across the NBA every time he steps on the court.
In just his third season in the association, Morant appears to have taken a massive leap and is widely considered to be one of the best point guards in the game. By averaging 26.3 PPG, ranking sixth in the NBA, to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists, it should come as no surprise that Morant is at the forefront of the MVP discussion.
While the Grit and Grind Era of the Memphis Grizzlies has passed, this Grizzlies team is chock full of budding stars ready to make a name for themselves. But don’t let the finesse and flash of this young bunch fool you, they don’t back down to anyone and will absolutely be a threat out of the West this summer.
While this team does not have the physical prowess some of the Grit and Grind teams possessed with forces like Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, they still carry that same toughness with them. Desmond Bane touched a nerve with LeBron James in early January as the second-year guard didn’t hesitate to trade some verbal barbs with King James during a particularly physical game.
The no-fear mentality seems to have continued in last night’s game when several of the Grizzlies were involved in a scuffle with Knicks star Julius Randle. Randle got physical with Bane in an attempt to bust up the Memphis huddle before being ejected just a few minutes later. After the contest, Morant had one of the best quotes you’ll see all year on the Grizzlies attitude this season:
“There ain’t no running in the M, man. We climb up the chimney. We ain’t ducking no smoke. We’re gonna let everybody know we’re here. We’re gonna play hard, we’re trying to get a win and if you don’t like it? Oh well.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. is also an instrumental part of the Grizzlies defense. JJJ is second in the league in blocks (2.3 BPG) and has thrown his name in the hat for Defensive Player of the Year while also pouring in 16.6 PPG. Young role players like Bane (18 PPG) and Brandon Clarke (9.9 PPG) are key cogs in the wheel for this fourth-ranked Grizzlies offense, averaging 112.2 PPG.
This team is not showing any signs of letting up either. After ripping off a franchise-record 11 consecutive wins earlier in the season, the Grizzlies have positioned themselves nicely through the first 54 games of the season to win their first Southwest Division title in franchise history.
The Grizzlies return to action Saturday afternoon as they are set to do battle with the lowly Orlando Magic (12-41). Memphis is looking to continue to stack wins with the All-Star break quickly approaching. Morant will make history as the first Grizzlies’ player to start the All-Star game since Marc Gasol in 2015. Morant is just the fourth member of the Grizzlies to be named to an All-Star game, joining the company of Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Pau Gasol.
Featured image courtesy of Brad Penner – USA TODAY Sports
