Now that LeBron James curb-stomped the Golden State Warriors, we now know who the Memphis Grizzlies will face in their NBA play-in game after they beat the San Antonio Spurs.
Say what you will about the Warriors the last couple of seasons, but the team still features Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Opposite to that is a relatively young Memphis squad featuring talent who is lacking big-game experience.
Nevertheless, there's a chance for the Grizzlies to topple the allegedly almighty Warriors. We're going to take a gander at the three best.
3. Stephen Curry Is Pooped
Imagine you're Stephen Curry.
No, man! Not like that. Calm down. You're a sick person. Get your heads out of the gutter.
What I mean is: You're an NBA superstar who had to carry your team for the majority of a shortened and tightened season. Then you were doubled often in a very important NBA play-in game against the famed Lakers and James. And now? And now you have to be a bit tired, right?
Sure, Steph dumped 37 points in the Warriors’ loss to the defending champion Lakers on Wednesday. OK then, I'll also admit he became the oldest player in NBA history to average 32 points per game for a full season. Still, at some point, he's going to need a nap, right?
Right?!
Who on this green planet wouldn't need a nap after any of that? At some point, even a young buck will get tired legs after having to burden so much weight on one's shoulders.
Good defense against Curry would also go a long way for the Grizzlies, but even with that it wouldn't be a guarantee. Their best bet is hoping Steph is sleepy. From time to time, guys are due for random bad games as well. Memphis can hope for that and/or a combination of the sleepiness.
2. Jaren Jackson Jr. Breakout Game
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a good two-way player who had injury issues and some other obstacles since being selected by the Grizzlies in the NBA Draft. He's also been — rightfully so — overshadowed a bit by Ja Morant.
Nevertheless, the kid can go. If the Grizzlies want to wallop the Warriors in the play-in game, Memphis will need the very best version of Triple J. Eh, scratch that. Maybe not the very best. In my opinion, JJJ's ceiling is an All-Star-level player, but I don't think they need that dramatic of a performance from him.
Purposely avoiding any counting stats or fancy math, the direct math approach is rather simple. If JJJ is “better than” Draymond Green during the game, assuming Curry doesn't score like 50 or more on his own, the Grizzlies win. Jackson vs Green is the X-factor matchup. It's really that simple.
Well, it's not THAT simple. There are a lot of moving parts to elimination-game basketball. But if the play-in game comes and goes, and it's clear Jackson outperformed the veteran Warriors big, there's a great chance Memphis wins.
As for the breakout game angle, it's a bit selfish from my end. Even when Jackson isn't putting up gaudy offensive numbers, he still has value for the Grizzlies. To get proper respect put on his name, though, I am selfishly hoping he puts up an insane 25-9-5-5 line or something.
Apparently that's what it takes for today's NBA, as Domantis Sabonis — who nearly had a high-end triple-double — caught heat despite playing very well in Indiana's play-in game because he didn't score 40.
1. Ja Morant (More?) Arrives
Ja Morant is already excellent at basketball and everyone knows it. However, what we don't yet fully know is how he will handle the pressure of a single-game elimination setting. Well, outside his entire collegiate run where the literal playoff setting is all or nothing.
Anyway, this can be the game where Morant takes the next leap. To join the top-tier stars of the NBA. And that's exactly what would happen if he performed as well as Curry in the play-in and won. Just simple facts.
It'll be interesting to see who guards who when it comes to the two teams' best guards, but if Morant can get his, it'll go a long way to help the Grizzlies win.
All very benign reasons for why Memphis can beat Golden State, but the thing is — and let's now whisper so we don't get in trouble — the Grizzlies are the better team. They just need to play to their average and hope Curry doesn't hit his ceiling; because, man, if Steph can hit his ceiling none of it really matters.
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