The NBA is trying to push the Memphis Grizzlies out of the playoffs

As a Memphis Grizzlies fan, the NBA can be extremely exciting to watch. Expectations aren’t extremely high for one of the youngest teams in the league but there is still a ton of success to boast about.

Amidst the excitement, it’s easy to wonder why the NBA is losing interest. There are plenty of stars around the league, and even in a more low-profile series like the Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies, there are plenty of stars to keep an eye on.

But then you watch a game like the one on Wednesday night between the Grizzlies and Jazz.

This game featured everything that is wrong with the modern NBA. An excess of foul calls with little to no contact to speak of. Players going out of their way to be fouled so that they can reach the free-throw line. The list goes on and on.

The Memphis Grizzlies aren’t supposed to make an NBA Playoff run, and the NBA knows it

Grizzlies fans know the reality of this league better than anybody. The NBA does not want small market teams to succeed. Their desire for instant gratification via TV ratings is the very same beast that will take them down.

This has been extremely evident by how the NBA officiates its games. In the Grizzlies’ game against the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament, it was clear that the officiating was not in favor of Memphis. But the Grizzlies powered through.

Once again though, Taylor Jenkins found his team as the victim of another poorly officiated game by the NBA. This time, they wouldn’t be so lucky.

We talked earlier this week about the NBA’s playoff agenda and how the Grizzlies could breakthrough against the odds. Well, on Wednesday night, a step was taken in the wrong direction.