Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers: A New Era

The Grizzlies and Clippers have entered a new era in both of their franchises. However, a new era still continues the legacy of an old rivalry.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers had one of the most memorable rivalries of the last seven years in the NBA. Whenever these two teams met, you could always expect a playoff atmosphere along with moments like these.

Their rivalry was everything you could look for in a Hollywood story, a battle of contrasts. Flash versus Grit. Lob City versus Grind City. Whenever a person goes to Los Angeles, what do they see? They see the Hollywood sign, movie stars, wealth and affluence, and generally lives of grandeur. Whenever a person goes to Memphis, what do they see? They see the Pyramid, blue-collar workers, and a city of struggling people who take great pride in themselves and each other.

Though it was no secret that both teams had an, ahem, mutual dislike for each other, there was also a begrudging mutual respect. They always were able to bring out the best in each other, and their games were always a joy to watch. The match ups were always a battle of wills: Two elite point guards in Mike Conley and Chris Paul, a fun battle of bigs in Marc Gasol and DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin battling Zach Randolph…

Zach Randolph.

Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.

The rivalry will obviously never be the same. Zach Randolph and Tony Allen are both no longer in the Beale Street Blue. Chris Paul hopes to finally make the Western Conference Finals in his new situation in Houston. However, against all odds, both teams appear once again to be on a collision course in the fight for playoff position in the West.

Unlikely Success

It would be generous to say that most people didn’t believe the Memphis Grizzlies would be very good this year. Most experts predicted that they wouldn’t make the playoffs, and ESPN predicted that they would go 35-47. As usual, the Grizzlies have found a way to overachieve once again. They currently sit at 5-3 with a win over the Warriors and two wins over the Rockets.

As for the Clippers, no Chris Paul has been no problem so far. Although flashy point guard Milos Teodosic went down early, the Clippers have soared to a 5-2 start behind the superstar play of Blake Griffin. For the first time in awhile, this Clippers team plays with a sense of joy. They’re fun to watch (it’s always fun to watch Patrick Beverley do his thing) and look every bit the part of a playoff contender.

Once again, the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers find themselves as two of the better teams in the Western Conference.

For Old Time’s Sake

The Grizzlies and Clippers will have their first meeting of the season in Los Angeles tonight. Not only will this game set the tone for their games this season, but it’ll also begin a new era of the Grizzlies-Clippers rivalry.

Many aspects are different. We’ll never get to see Zach Randolph and Blake Griffin mimic about seven different moves from WWE in an NBA basketball game ever again. We’ll never get to see Tony Allen’s foot just “accidentally” happen to collide with Chris Paul’s face.

However, plenty of factors will keep this rivalry alive and fresh. For starters, the city of Memphis will never ever like Blake Griffin. Patrick Beverley and Mike Conley have plenty of history together (then again, Beverley has history with everyone). The natural differences between the cities of Los Angeles and Memphis will also keep the resentment alive and well.

Grit ‘N’ Grind and Lob City both came into existence around seven years ago. After this past offseason, it appeared that they had both quietly died together as well. Though it is still early in the season, it appears that the rumors of the deaths of both Grit ‘N’ Grind and Lob City were greatly exaggerated.

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Game Info

WHO: Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers

WHERE: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California

WHEN: 2:30 PM ct

HOW TO WATCH: Fox Sports Southeast

HOW TO LISTEN: 92.9 ESPN