Slated by many for the lottery, the Memphis Grizzlies sit alone atop a Western Conference that has confounded the masses so far.
Things were supposed to be different this season for the Memphis Grizzlies and the Western Conference.
Back in early October, as preseason prognoses were rolled out, the West’s hierarchy seemed – for the most part – clearly defined.
Golden State was once again the supreme tyrant; adding DeMarcus Cousins to an already-unfair stable of top-tier talent.
Beneath them were a select few playoff locks – Houston, Utah, and perhaps Oklahoma City. Then, there were everyone else; a nebulous surplus of hopefuls vying for a select few tickets to the next round.
The Grizzlies found themselves mostly at the lower end of this cluttered expanse; predicted by many to compete for the playoffs, but ultimately fall short.
Through seventeen games – almost a quarter of the season already – things haven’t exactly gone as planned. Every supposed West powerhouse has seen part of their season consumed by dysfunction. The Warriors in particular have been the subject of the highest-profile soap opera; one with drastic implications for both their present and future.
While it’s generally tough for a sleuth of Grizzly bears to be inconspicuous, Memphis has quietly climbed past the clamor to great heights. As of last night, they are the sole possessors of first place in the West.
That this is happening so far into the season is somewhat flabbergasting. The West was supposed to be an epic bloodbath of competitive fury this season. Virtually every team felt at least pseudo-entitlement to a playoff spot; even the lowly Phoenix Suns were making win-now moves.
Depending on how you look at it, the set of circumstances that has led the Grizzlies to this peak can be complex or simple.
On one side, an intricate and delicate web of variables has been woven in Memphis’ favor, afflicting numerous top teams. Put more bluntly: the West has been worse than expected, and the Memphis Grizzlies have been much better.
As much as this may seem like fortunate over-performing, it is in no way a fluke. Memphis has succeeded playing a style of basketball they’re very familiar with, and chose the right new pieces for their system.
They play above the sum of their parts, and fluster faster opponents with their molasses-paced stranglehold.
The rest of the West is certain to improve, but the Grizzlies themselves still have plenty of upside as well.
Not only has Memphis weathered a dearth of ailments to start the season, but their rotation are mostly fresh faces, playing under a relatively new coach. With time and continuity, the roster should only become stronger; improved health would be icing on the cake.
So while it may be unsustainable for Memphis to lock down the top spot all season, don’t expect them to plummet either.
They’ve knocked off a number of tough foes so far, and their easy early schedule has regressed to exactly the league’s median.
A season that began with much trepidation has thus given way to great promise.
Even the most senselessly optimistic fan couldn’t have predicted Memphis to be first in the West at any tangible checkpoint in the season.
They’ve made it this far, and their best basketball may be yet to come.