The Memphis Grizzlies are three games into the 2022 playoffs, and like their performances, fan expectations are all over the spectrum.
The Grizzlies came out flat in Game 1 and the Minnesota Timberwolves made them pay for it by earning a shocking upset in Memphis.
In Game 2, the Grizzlies faced a must-win situation and rose to the occasion, setting a franchise record for win margin.
Game 3 was a microcosm for the series (so far). The Grizzlies played flat and got down 20+ points twice, but in the end, came back and won. Most fans coming into the year would have been overjoyed with the Grizzlies getting a low seed in the playoffs and avoiding the play-in game, but expectations change. While expectations change, the timeline has not.
The Grizzlies are on average, the second-youngest team in the league. Barring any offseason trades, are expected to only get younger.
The average fans’ expectations have grown to match the teams’ successes and that is not a bad thing. The Grizzlies still have the safety net of being ahead of schedule, but don’t tell them that.
So, what should expectations be?
There is not an easy answer, because the Grizzlies have the highest ceiling and possibly the lowest floor of any team in the playoffs. Like all great double-sided news, the bad comes first.