Memphis fans know what their team is capable of doing. They had front row seats as Ja Morant had an incredible rookie season and quickly became an invaluable piece of the team’s identity. They have watched Jaren Jackson Jr. win Defensive Player of the Year and represent Memphis twice at the All-Star Game. They’ve seen Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey become two key pieces for the team’s young core.
They’ve witnessed the rise of Santi Aldama and Scotty Pippen Jr. They’ve been there through the ups and the downs, multiple playoff appearances, and a lot of change. However, just because Memphis hasn’t advanced very far in the playoffs recently and hasn’t won a championship yet, non-Grizzlies fans are quick to write them off.
What drives the doubt
Every team will have its fair share of doubters. No matter how good they are or how large the market is, there will always be people who find something negative to say about any team or fanbase. Memphis’ doubters have made their messages loud and clear.
“The Grizzlies don’t win against top teams,” they say
While it’s true that Memphis has never won a championship, a blanket statement that the Grizzlies don’t win big games against top-ranked opponents is false. Have the Grizzlies always put up a good showing against top-ranked teams? No, they haven’t. That doesn’t mean that they’ve never put up a good showing, though.
It also doesn’t mean they aren’t equipped for the big moment. Every team will sometimes have poor performances or an off-night against the league’s best, including teams that make it to the NBA Finals. Just last season, the Grizzlies had several wins against top teams in both conferences. In the Eastern Conference, Memphis beat the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, on the road. They also swept the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons, and won one out of two games against the Indiana Pacers.
As for the Western Conference, the Grizzlies had victories against the Golden State Warriors (51-point win), Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and Los Angeles Lakers. They also defeated the Houston Rockets in one of their matchups and had two other very close games against them. That said, as Memphis continues to work toward becoming a true title contender, its ability to consistently close out tight games and secure series wins against top Western Conference teams will become increasingly important.
“Nobody wants to play in Memphis,” they say
Jaren Jackson Jr. is entering his 8th year in the NBA and his 8th season with the Grizzlies. Ja Morant is entering his 7th year in the NBA and his 7th season with the Grizzlies. A lot of people want to play in Memphis, including Cedric Coward, one of the Grizzlies’ newest rookies. In a post-draft interview, Coward talked about why he’ll be a great fit in Memphis, as someone who has truly embodied the grit and grind throughout his journey to the NBA. He knows what Memphis basketball is all about, and he’s excited and ready to make a positive impact.
This is a city that has a lot of heart, soul, and a deeply rooted love for the game. The organization has a rich history that the players and fans alike embrace. People will always come and go in the NBA because it’s part of the business. This happens across the entire league, though, not just in Memphis.
“This team is too young and inexperienced,” they say
If the Oklahoma City Thunder could become the league’s second-youngest team (average age of 25.6) to win a championship, then the Grizzlies aren't too young. While it’s true that Memphis has a young core and lacked championship-level leadership from veteran players last season, the Grizzlies now have that with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and several other players on the current Memphis roster have played postseason basketball on more than one occasion, but KCP’s leadership and championship DNA could be the possible missing piece for Memphis. KCP will also be a wonderful mentor for the younger core and the new rookies on the team. Although it’s not necessary for success (a lot of young teams are successful), it’s important to have a balanced roster, with a mix of young talent and veteran leadership.
Fuel for the fire
Sometimes, criticism will power a team if there’s enough of it. What team doesn’t want to prove its doubters wrong? For the Grizzlies, all of this doubt can be used as fuel for the fire. Whether it’s a missed opportunity in the playoffs, the injury-ridden 2023-24 season, or off-court struggles, all of that is behind the current Memphis Grizzlies squad. Right now, this team is getting ready to show the world who they really are.