MEMPHIS – The worst snow storm Memphis has seen in decades
comes just as the Grizzlies prepare to face arguably their most difficult
matchup of any team in the NBA.
The Next Gen Grizzlies have been unable to break through against these new
look Pelicans in the past two years, having dropped four consecutive games
to New Orleans heading into Tuesday’s game at FedExForum.
Reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant and Pelicans
catalyst Zion Williamson headline the showdown as childhood
buddies who were the top two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. But there are so
many other plotlines that impact the stakes when these two squads meet.
As the Grizzlies (11-11) look to get back above .500 to open a four-game
homestand, our broadcasters ‘GrindTable’ breaks down three key topics
entering the game. Consider it a 5-on-3 break, with the NBA’s most talented
and knowledgeable broadcast crew filling lanes and scoring on each
insightful point.
This week’s panel features Grizzlies TV broadcasters
Pete Pranica and Rob Fischer, Radio
broadcaster Eric Hasseltine and pregame, halftime and
postgame radio host Jessica Benson.
Fact or Fiction: Zion Williamson and the Pelicans should be
viewed as Ja Morant and the Grizzlies’ biggest NBA rival
right now?
FACT: The linkage between Zion and Ja will ensure that Memphis/New Orleans
will be a rivalry as long as they are with their respective teams.
Additionally, both teams are in a position to be fighting for a playoff
berth, or at least a spot in the play-in games. The Pelicans have had the
Grizzlies’ number recently, and for the Grizz to make the play-in and/or
playoffs, they’ll need to turn that around. With only three games against
the Pels, Tuesday is a must win to keep hopes of a tie-breaker edge alive.
and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies swap jerseys after a game.
Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images.
FACT-ish? They get that status by regional default, along with Ja vs.
Zion. Call me back after they meet in the playoffs someday.
FICTION. It’s a nice little rivalry of 1 vs. 2 from the 2019 draft, but
they don’t play the same position. And as far as rivalries in the NBA,
they’re built on playoff meetings. Period. Until these two organizations
meet in the postseason, it’s not really a rivalry. Rivalries need “hate”
and this one just doesn’t have it yet.
FICTION. It’s tough to say “biggest rival” for any team because rivalries
come with history. But logistics and the Zion and Ja dynamic make it very
intriguing, for sure. The only question is, do Grizz fans have a hatred
for New Orleans? That makes a rivalry, so to me it’s a fun matchup – but
not a rivalry yet.
Orleans Pelicans is blocked by Brandon Clarke #15 and Jaren Jackson Jr.
#13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an NBA basketball
game at HP Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex. Photo by
Ashley Landis – Pool/Getty Images.
FACT. The cities are close and share the banks of the Mighty Mississippi
River. Both franchises are anchored by the top two picks of the same
draft. The music and unique food cultures run deep in both spots. And the
teams are on similar trajectories with expectations to build and
compete for playoff spots in the West in short order. Those Spurs, Thunder
and Clippers rivalries are in the past. This has all ingredients of a Next
Gen rivalry.
Fact or Fiction: With a .500 record right now, the Grizzlies have
overachieved so far this season?
FACT: According to SportRadar, Memphis has faced the 5th-toughest schedule
so far this season and its “strength of victory” (win% of teams they’ve
beaten) is 4th-best in the NBA. Figuring two wins over Brooklyn and San
Antonio plus wins over Philadelphia and Phoenix, the Grizzlies have played
on equal terms with teams with winning records. Toss in that the Grizzlies
are without Jaren Jackson Jr. and
Justise Winslow, and have lost the 2nd-most games to
injury, then overachievement is definitely a fact.
Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on before the game
against the Sacramento Kings. Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty
Images.
FACT. Duh! Remember when they were without Ja Morant for
8 games? Remember how they’ve been without
Jaren Jackson Jr. and
Justise Winslow for all the games? Remember how they’ve
had to use a plethora of different lineups due to injuries and/or health
and safety protocols? I’m asking rhetorical questions. Of course you
remember! But, it’s a nice reminder of what the Grizzlies have achieved
while consistently being without key rotation players almost every step of
the way.
FACT. Considering what they’ve missed this year due to injuries, the
Grizzlies have certainly overachieved. Most nights they’ve missed 4+
rotation guys (2 have missed every game). That’s hard to overcome,
especially when your best player missed 8 games and your second-best
player hasn’t played a single game.
FICTION. To everyone else around the country, they have overachieved. But
this system and the players that fit in it can win some games. I feel like
they are showing when they are able to get fully healthy, they can be
really dangerous.
FICTION. Everything in me wants to say FACT on this one. But I’ve seen too
much consistent evidence now of Taylor Jenkins squeezing
every ounce of effort and production out of this team, regardless of who’s
available. So it feels kind of like saying the Grizzlies have overachieved
would be essentially underestimating their resilience in a challenging
season. Plus, a lot of other teams are dealing with the same issues
Memphis has on its hands.
Grizzlies coaches players during the game against the Houston Rockets.
Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images.
Fact or Fiction: The Memphis weather this week presents a bigger challenge
to endure than the Grizzlies current stretch of four games in five nights?
FICTION: I’m from Wisconsin so this snow isn’t that troublesome, except
for the fact that we’ve got more plows and trucks in Wisconsin to handle
the white stuff. I’m a planner, so I made sure the pantry was well-stocked
before the weather hit. On the other hand, the Grizzlies had a long flight
back from the West Coast ahead of big matchups with the aforementioned
Pelicans and Suns sandwiched around dates with the scrappy Thunder and
struggling Pistons. Thankfully all four are at home, but it’s an important
stretch for the Grizzlies to hopefully get above .500.
FACT. Back in my day, we used to walk two miles through the snow and sleet
and wind . . . I grew up in Colorado, so this kind of weather makes me
nostalgic for my childhood. The primary difference; we all had snow tires.
Thus, it is 10000000% a fact that the Memphis weather presents the
greatest challenge of all in the city this week. I watched six cars get
stuck downtown before noon on Monday.
FACT. The handling of winter weather in Memphis is undoubtedly more
difficult. People can’t drive, everything closes down, the streets are a
disaster, and you’re stuck at home with the kids. The one positive –
sledding! The Grizzlies are young and can handle a rigorous schedule.
They’d rather play than practice, and all the games are at home. It’ll be
more difficult to drive to the game than actually play it!
FACT. I think the weather is challenging for the team because of the
flight home from Sacramento on Monday and adjusting to that. But beyond
that, I’m sure the players have ways to get to the arena. The other
challenge is often the opponents getting into town. I’ve never seen this
here, and I’ve now been here almost 20 years.
FACT. Don’t get me started on this city’s ability to handle this storm.
Modern technology allows us to track weather days in advance. We saw it
coming. Was it impossible to be a bit proactive and borrow a couple of
snow trucks and other equipment from Nashville or Knoxville to clear some
of these major streets? The Grizz have a gauntlet of a scheduling grind
this week. But they won’t have to leave Shelby County to get through it.
(Catch Pranica and Fischer on FOX Sports Southeast’s Grizzlies game-night
coverage, and listen to Hasseltine on 92.9 FM ESPN Radio, the Grizzlies
radio flagship station)
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do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball
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