The Memphis Grizzlies have been playing better basketball than anyone could have imagined. The players and their fans were the only ones who actually felt that this Grizzlies team could compete at this level this year, and wow were they right. This team is simply legit; one that must be feared for the next decade if they keep their core together.
It's an exciting time for Grizzlies fans and players in the organization. They have a good opportunity to win an NBA championship, plus they have three players who will be considered for postseason honors (despite the fact that Grizzlies players have stated that they don't care about awards and would rather win a championship), but it's still a great bonus for these young stars.
Memphis will have to fight hard in the playoffs if they want to make a splash. If they want to win the Western Conference, they'll have to beat the star-studded Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, as well as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers(even though Los Angeles has been horrible). Given how good this Grizzlies team has been this season, there's no reason to think they can't beat any of those teams right now.
Let's take a look at three bold predictions about the remainder of the Memphis Grizzlies season.
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Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Bold Predictions For Rest Of 2021-22 NBA Season
3. Ja Morant wins the MIP and finishes in the top three in MVP voting
Ja Morant has recently been playing some fantastic basketball, and he has actually developed into the superstar that everyone expected him to be. Since he's playing like a top 5-10 player in basketball, it's difficult to say that no one expected Morant to be doing what he's doing right now. Everyone knew he had the potential to be this in a few years, but no one expected it so soon in his career.
While he will undoubtedly earn the league's MIP, Morant will also receive substantial consideration for the MVP award.
In every postseason series they play, Ja Morant will have to be the best player on the court. For Ja Morant, this is not going to be an easy task. Going up against players like Chris Paul, Devin Booker, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and others, regardless of how well he has played this year, is never simple, and being the best player on the court when all of those guys are playing is even tougher.
The fact that they don't have a second star can only aid Morant's MVP argument. Yes, anyone who has actually seen the Grizzlies knows they aren't good solely because of him, but MVP voters are hung up on having two stars on a team, which the Grizzlies don't necessarily have, so Ja might get more votes.
2. Desmond Bane receives MIP votes but is defeated by his teammate, Ja Morant
This season, Desmond Bane has been outstanding for the Grizzlies.
Coming into the year, everyone understood what kind of player Bane could be, but it's hard to say that anyone expected him to be playing at this level of basketball at such a young age.
Although it is quite doubtful that he will win the Most Improved Player award because his teammate Ja Morant should undoubtedly be the winner, voters may not think of him as a player who has truly improved because he is a superstar. It's true, as ridiculous as it sounds. The Most Improved Player award should go to the player who has improved the most, regardless of his or her star status, but Morant is on a different level than those guys, so voters might not vote for him as much as we all think(crazy, I know).
1. The Grizzlies play well but lose in the Western Conference Finals to the Phoenix Suns
A young squad like the Grizzlies will inevitably struggle at times throughout the season. They'll have to hope that they can hit all of their strides during the playoffs, because if they do, they'll be a team that no one wants to play against.
The most difficult opponents will most likely be Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, as well as Chris Paul and the Phoenix Suns. Is Memphis capable of defeating both of these teams? Definitely, but they must give it their all, and play their best basketball.
In a tough matchup, Phoenix will defeat Memphis in seven games. Memphis will be disappointed with the loss, but they will also be proud of how far they've gone in such a short time.
The Memphis Grizzlies have arrived, ladies and gentlemen. This team is legitimate, and you should treat them with respect because they will be holding a championship trophy shortly.
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