Memphis Grizzlies surprise in media’s training camp power rankings

It’s that time of year again, the Memphis Grizzlies and the NBA are right around the corner. With training camps starting up Monday most media outlets releasing their power rankings. While these rankings change over the course of training camps, most will stay about the same. One of the early surprises this year is the ranking the Memphis Grizzlies received from ESPN.

Anyone with the job of ranking the Memphis Grizzlies this year before seeing them play is going to have a hard time. After coming off an eventful year last season in which most everyone on the roster ended up hurt, there is really no way to fairly rank the them.

Now throw in a successful offseason, adding Chandler Parsons, you can see why it would be difficult to fairly rank Memphis. In ESPN’s rankings, it looks like they took everything into consideration and actually ranked Memphis in the Top 10, No. 8 to be exact.

"8. Memphis Grizzlies2015-16 record: 42-40Final 2015-16 rank: 16Mike Conley emerging as the highest-paid player in NBA history? Chandler Parsons vacating his “assistant GM” role in Dallas to join his third Southwest Division team in four seasons? Committee fave Nick Van Exel coaching alongside new boss David Fizdale? Age and health remain major question marks in Memphis, but the Griz will be an irresistible watch because of those first three sentences … at least to us."

If that ranking surprised you, you might wanna sit down for this one. Our friends over at Sir Charles in Charge have the Grizz ranked even higher, at No. 6.

"Memphis Grizzlies0-0Last week: 0-0Last rank: N/AThe Memphis Grizzlies are another team that I really like in 2016-17. Although, this team’s fate almost squarely depends on their ability to remain healthy. Assuming that Mike Conley and Marc Gasol recover fully from their respective injuries, this team has all the ability in the world to make some noise in the West.Adding Chandler Parsons should pay dividends for this team, as it addresses their lack of outside shooting and helps with their ability to play more small ball (when needed).I’m not sure what this team’s ceiling is next season, but a trip to the Western Conference Finals could be in their future if the playoff bracket falls the right way.Either way, this team should not be slept on."

As you can see, most people expect the Grizzlies to have a big year, but it all hinges on the health of the team. As training camp progresses look for these ranking to fluctuate a bit but Memphis should stay in the Top 10 regardless.  If Memphis can stay healthy anything is possible, even beating the Warriors. Like every other team in the NBA staying healthy is the hard part. But if they do all I can say is watch out.

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