What’s the ceiling (and floor) for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2022 Playoffs?
The Memphis Grizzlies have the highest ceiling of any team in the playoffs
The Memphis Grizzlies were the surprise of the league this season and quickly became everyone’s second favorite team.
Inspired by their fun play and haughty attitudes, they won over many hearts while also winning a lot of games. They had the second-best record in the league, behind only the 2020-21 runner-up Phoenix Suns.
Even though they are young, they have shown they can beat anyone going 10–10 against the other seven top eight teams and 25-20 against all playoff teams.
The record does not even tell the whole story because the Grizzlies had injury trouble throughout the season and had to find other ways to win.
They showed part of their ceiling with their depth, winning games when they had to deal with injuries.
Depth does not matter as much in the playoffs as starters’ minutes traditionally increase; but, having different options is huge. We have already seen the impact the bench has had during the series when Xavier Tillman, a player who has not had a spot in the rotation, was the x-factor to win game two.
Besides depth, the ceiling for the Memphis Grizzlies is an NBA championship THIS season because when they play their best, they can beat any team in the league.
Some would say they are too young, but that is where you look at them overcoming not one, but two twenty-point leads in the same game on the road to win a playoff game.
Arguably, the hardest spot this team will experience in the playoffs because they are uncomfortable. They are not used to being the favorite and that comes with challenges. We are seeing them face these challenges for the first time.
If the Grizzlies move on to round two, they will only play better opponents but they will also find themselves back in the comfortable position of being the underdog.
They are growing up right before our eyes and they have the will and the heart to be champions. If they are asked about their goal, they will all say a championship. Even more powerful than them talking about their combined goal, their actions reflect it.
Not a single player, including All-Star Ja Morant, is looking for stats or cares about how much they play in an era of egos. From players one to 15 on the roster they are cheering for each other and are all ready to go when they are needed.