Hey, Grizz Nation. I would just like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. As we reflect on the meaning of this season, we realize that we have a lot to be thankful for: family, friends, and the Memphis Grizzlies. “What?! The Grizzlies” you might say. “I’m not thankful for them. All they’ve brought me is frustration, misery, defeat, and pain.” You can say that, Grizz fans, but you’d be wrong.
Now look, I’m right there with you; the Grizzlies have caused me a lot of anguish and torment over the years too. Our failure to win a #1 draft pick, our failure to win only a combined 68 games (against 178 losses) over the past 3 seasons, our failure to win just one playoff game when we’ve played in 12, etc. has pained me too. But let’s look on the bright side, Grizz fans. To do that, I would like you to travel back in time with me to one Christmas ago.
One Christmas ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were owners of a 9-19 record and a four game losing streak. One Christmas ago, Grizz fans’ throats were still hoarse from booing the team and coach Mark Ivaroni during a decidedly underwhelming 112-83 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. One Christmas ago, the Grizzlies were a dismal 22nd in ESPN’s Marc Stein’s Power Rankings. One Christmas ago, the Grizzlies were trading for veteran guard Steve Francis. One Christmas ago, ESPN was lampooining the Grizz, saying that other teams didn’t even need to bring their A games to beat Memphis. In short, the Memphis Grizzlies were a joke.
Fast forward to this Christmas. This Christmas, the Grizzlies are owners of a 13-15 record and a three game winning streak. Now I know what you’re thinking: that’s only a 4-game improvement over last season. We’re still not really that good. There may be some truth in that, but consider this: the Grizzlies started the 2009-2010 season 1-8. In the 19 games since, however, they have won 12. This Christmas, Grizz fans’ throats are still sore from cheering the team and coach Lionel Hollins during an exciting 121-108 win over the Golden State Warriors. This Christmas, the Grizzlies are ranked 14th in Stein’s Power Rankings (the Grizzlies’ highest ranking since the end of the 2006 season). This Christmas, the Grizzlies traded away a washed up veteran in Marko Jaric. This Christmas, the national media is praising the Grizzlies. Forward Zach Randolph (who, during the past few weeks, has played the best basketball of any Grizzly ever) is on Sports Illustrated’s Who’s Hot list. Bill Simmons, the ESPN writer who usually takes every chance to bash the Grizzlies, was watching a Grizz game and caught himself exclaiming “wait a second… is Memphis secretly good?”
In short, the Grizzlies are relevant again.
Since our 1-8 start, we have won 12 of our last 19 games, a 63% clip. If we win 63% of our remaining games, we will finish with 43 wins and 39 losses. Now I’m no mathematician, but that looks like a winning season to me. Will this 63% winning percentage continue? Probably not. But why not??? For the first time in a while, the Grizzlies are blessed with a talented core of young stars who are actually playing like a team. Randolph is playing with a vengence, proving that his All-Star ballot snub is the greatest NBA travesty since referee Tim Donaghy bet on games. Rudy Gay is continuing to provide leadership and a team-leading 20.6 points-per-game. OJ Mayo is continuing to blossom into a superstar, following his stellar rookie campaign with a more rounded sophomore one. Mike Conley is finally playing up to his high potential. Marc Gasol, younger brother of donated ex-Grizzly Pau Gasol, is developing a fine post game and could very well be one of the league’s top centers in a few years.
With a starting lineup like that, is it really that outrageous to think that this year’s Grizz squad could be playoff-bound? I don’t think so. It will be extremely tough for the team to overcome their slow start, but I for one think that it can happen. So, Grizz fans, as we celebrate this Christmas holiday, let’s also celebrate what has become a fun, exciting, and contending team again. Merry Grizzmas!
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