Recently our Memphis “Grizzs” locked up a playoff spot in the Western Conference (see this video, Clinching the playoffs). No one would deny that the GrizzLife is good right now. Tony Allen aka @aa000G9 may be the most excited among citizens of Grizz nation: “aw and the reason I been pumped up lately , is because ! Playing time is up. We wining, and I’m around a great group of grinders, +im happy.”
As a lifelong grizzlifer, I can’t remember when fan morale has been this high. More and more are flocking to the Forum AKA the grindhouse and it seems as if the team is finally winning back the city. But there is still a dark cloud of doubt which looms over many. The thought of another 0-for-4 in the playoffs is a scary one. Many grizzlifers have looked at the standings (see below) and shuddered at the thought of playing the back-to-back defending champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.
The Lakers are the only team in the West that has the length and depth to shut down the Grizzlies’ front court of GaZbo + Arthur. In terms of matchups, a first round matchup with the Lakers would seem to be the toughest. But does that mean the Grizz should tank these next two games to assure a matchup with the Spurs, a team we have proven we can hang with? Or should the Grizzlies try to get the 6 seed and try to create a matchup with Dallas? There are no obvious answers to questions like these at this point. The Lakers and Mavs could easily flip-flop spots, allowing for the 6th or 7th place team to potentially match up with the Lakers.
Personally, I want to see us play Dallas. I legitimately think we could win a 7-game series with the Mavericks. I am much more scared of the Spurs and the Lakers. In my mind, however, none of this matters at this point. The team has proven that it can beat any team out there. This is not your Barone Era Grizzlies team, folks. The grizzs have gone 10-6 against the top 4 teams in the West, and none of those teams want to see us in the first round.
So to all grizzlifers out there, lets celebrate that we’re in the playoffs but not obsess over the standings. I would rather see the team come into the playoffs hot by winning these next 2 games than tanking just to create a first round matchup with the Spurs (who somehow have become the underdog in the west once again.)
As with many things, Tony Allen tweets it best. “I’m just saying everybody saying if we play this team and that team, it don’t matter we still are going 2 have a 7 game series to compete in…Let’s just be ready 2 put our hard hats on no matter who it is,, we not hiding from nobody!!”
I live,,, the grizzlife)) and. love it,,,
Paul
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