Grind City Views: Memphis Grizzlies in national ‘power rankings’ (Week 17)
Welcome to Grind City View’s Weekly Power Rankings, Beale Street Bears’ roundup of the Memphis Grizzlies’ spot in national power rankings.
Week 17 included a 15-point win over the San Antonio Spurs and a 20-point handling (literally, they fought) of the Phoenix Suns. It ended with a loss to an unconscious Golden State team – but let’s be honest, the Grizzlies were due for that one.
RECAP: THE GRIZZLIES CAN BEAT THE SPURS, TOO!
RECAP: SUNS DON’T WANT THESE GRIZZLY BEAR HANDS
RECAP: welp, this Warriors game happened too.
Let’s get on with the Power Rankings:
CBS Sports – No. 8
“The Grizzlies have a pretty winnable schedule from now until mid-March. They’ll probably struggle unexpectedly, that’s what they do, but this team will not face Golden State in the first round, so their odds of a second-round appearance remain strong. They have no reason to fear anyone above them. There are clearly better teams (the Spurs) but no one Memphis can’t find a formula to beat if things go right.”
Matt Moore here to get Grind City shaking with excitement talking to us about the playoff picture. Personally, I think the Grizzlies have a 4-seed ceiling, which probably brings the Clippers or Jazz to the Grindhouse in the first round.
You’re right, Matt – completely winnable.
ESPN – No. 7
“The Grizzlies still hold the top mark this season in terms of biggest comeback with that unforgettable rally from 24 points down on the Warriors’ floor on Jan. 6 — [they] can also still claim a 2-1 mark in the season series with mighty Golden State despite the blowout inflicted Friday night on Memphis’ floor by our top-ranked team. You have to believe Toney Douglas, meanwhile, has earned a rest-of-the-season deal in Memphis, judging by the Grizzlies’ 10-2 record when Douglas gets on the court.”
HEY, MARC STEIN. Why’d you have to go and bring up the Warriors loss when we beat the Spurs?? Also, it IS a ‘Power Ranking’, and we DID get into a *fight* with the Suns – come on, man!
P.S. Thank you for blessing us with a great ranking.
Sports Illustrated – No. 6
“Basically, the Grizz are the cranky old men of the NBA. Exhibit A: Troy Daniels getting into some beef with Devin Booker, which I mentioned briefly up in that Suns tidbit.”
Finally! We’re talking about the fight! Let’s watch it again:
My favorite part of this entire video is that Brandan Wright just hugs his opposition for the duration of the scuffle. What a nice guy!
The Grizzlies jumped three spots in Sports Illustrated’s Power Rankings – placing themselves directly behind the Celtics, Rockets, Spurs, Cavs and Warriors.
Until next week…
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