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 — 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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