The Memphis Grizzlies are back among the best that the NBA has to offer. And in case you were not aware of that reality, they did just about everything they could this past weekend to prove it.
It started on Saturday night in Boston against the defending champion Celtics. The Grizzlies had not won in Boston in a decade, and it was clear from the jump that Memphis was in the know regarding that factoid.
And that they wanted it to be a past stat, not a present one.
For the vast majority of this contest, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant outplayed the “Js” of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Despite Marcus Smart struggling in his on-court return to Boston (1-11 from the field, WOOF) the stars of Memphis carried the day. Jaren Jackson Jr. logged a season high in minutes. The Grizzlies, for one night, abandoned the low-minutes rotation goals and went for a win against one of the NBA’s best.
And they got it.
Then the next night, against perhaps not just the worst team in the NBA but maybe the worst NBA team of the 21st Century in the Washington Wizards, Memphis took care of business in a professional manner. They blew out a Wizards team that was admittedly without numerous stars...but Ja Morant and Desmond Bane did not play. Jaren Jackson Jr. only logged 17 minutes. Jay Huff scored in double digits.
Yes, that Jay Huff. The former G-Leaguer turned two-way contract piece turned “end of rotation” player. He helped Memphis win a game.
Again.
This team feels different than any other during the Ja Morant Era, which began in 2019. Yes, the team has had regular season success before. And yes, they’re done it by scoring in the paint. And playing strong defense. The identity of this team remains the same.
But they’re actually playing like a team on the offensive end. Less and less isolation basketball, more and more ball movement both on and off the ball. And every player is capable of executing. Even opposing announce teams are noticing it - the Wizards play by play and color commentators were speaking longingly about the depth and efficiency on display for Memphis.
From the very bottom of the NBA looking up at a Grizzlies franchise that has returned to the top.
It’s fair to still hold the Celtics above Memphis, of course. To be the man, you have to beat the man after all. After that, perhaps you believe OKC’s future remains brighter than that of the Grizzlies. Or that the “new-look” Cleveland Cavaliers are for real under new on-court management. Or you see what Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets and think that defense will travel anywhere.
It could be those squads are all better than Memphis. But for the first time in a longer-than-it-seems while? We will almost certainly see the Grizzlies test themselves against the best in the NBA in postseason play.
And whether it’s in the first round with the Rockets or a rematch in the NBA Finals with Boston, the Wizards likely will be watching. And thinking - that’s how you build a winner in the NBA.
