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The Memphis Grizzlies have been playing better basketball than anyone could have imagined. It's difficult to predict if a squad this young can continue to find success when it matters most, but they've been fantastic, so there's no reason to believe they won't. They didn't come out of anywhere since everyone knew their abilities, but no one expected them to play this type of basketball so early in their careers.
This year, people will have to consider the reality that Memphis is not in a must-win position. Memphis, if anything, has one of, if not, the biggest title window of any contending team.
The Memphis Grizzlies will be around for a long time, and the league has to start giving them their respect. Whether it's because of how well Ja Morant is playing and developing his game, the leap that Desmond Bane has made, or Jaren Jackson Jr's incredible interior defense, this team's legit. Memphis now has everything going in their favor, and there's no reason to believe that this won't continue.
What's even more incredible is that, given how young this Grizzlies squad is, they still have a chance to win an NBA championship this season. Obviously, they'll have to play their best basketball and have everything fall into place at the perfect time, but if they can accomplish that, they should be a very difficult team to beat. This Grizzlies squad is not one to fool with.
There are some matchups that, like every other club in the NBA, will represent a greater threat to the Grizzlies than they would to other teams. If Memphis could play the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round, they would certainly prefer to face them instead of the Los Angeles Lakers. If they can get a team like the Denver Nuggets in the second round, they will want that matchup instead of the Golden State Warriors or the Phoenix Suns.
Let's look at the three biggest dangers to the Memphis Grizzlies in the postseason.
Winning an NBA title is never easy. As we have seen with the past 20 champions, every team is going to need something significant to go their way. Whether that is an unfortunate injury to someone, or having guys on the roster step up more than they ever have. There is a reason why winning a championship is so hard, and a reason why we have seen crazy upsets in the past. If a team is going to win a title, they’re going to need everyone on their roster to be playing the best basketball they possibly can, and even sometimes that isn’t enough to get the job done. Matchups are always something that is going to play a major factor, and some teams just know how to get the job done against certain teams when it matters most.
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The Biggest Threats To The Grizzlies In The Playoffs, Ranked
2. Their youth
If there's one thing that will hurt the Grizzlies in the playoffs, it'll be their youth. This is a very young team, but it doesn't rule out the possibility of them making it far in the playoffs.
They must take into account the fact that most of their players have little postseason experience. Teams will typically struggle when this is the case. This isn't the end of the world for the Grizzlies; this is a squad that will be really good for the next ten years if everyone stays in Memphis. This team is still developing, and even if they struggle in the playoffs this year, it will be valuable experience for their future.
Despite the fact that Memphis is a youthful squad, there's no reason to believe they'll struggle. Obviously, a situation like this is a distinct possibility, but if they continue to play the sort of basketball they've been able to play this year in the regular season, they should be able to find plenty of success.
1. Suns
This season, the Phoenix Suns have not only been the best team in the Western Conference, but also the best team in the NBA. Chris Paul and Devin Booker have virtually taken over for the Suns on both ends of the floor, putting them in a position to win another title.
Chris Paul's injury does not look to be serious, which is good news for the Phoenix Suns and NBA fans in general. Obviously, it has the potential to keep him out for eight weeks, but it is only a hand injury, and he should be able to resume his usual activities whenever he returns. If he doesn't, the Grizzlies will have to grasp the moment and find a way to beat a team as talented as the Phoenix Suns.
This Suns squad will be difficult to beat even if Chris Paul isn't healthy. Obviously, if the Grizzlies' offense clicks and they can play the sort of basketball they've shown at times this season, they should be able to finish the job against a hurt Suns team.
Can the Grizzlies defeat a Suns squad that is fully healthy? It's possible, but it won't be easy. Memphis has demonstrated throughout the year that they will play any team as hard as they can, so whoever they face will face a difficult series for the other team.
