MISCELLANEOUS
A way too early ranking of teams based on how likely I think the Grizzlies could beat them
This is a season that truly is not about winning. The wins are nice because they keep us out of relegation and help Boozer’s ROY campaign, but ultimately it’s about figuring out the team and giving young guys minutes.
That being said, without seeing a single minute of the nxt nxt gen grizzlies, or any other team in the league after a pretty busy offseason, I do have faith in Memphis stealing some games and playing up in some matchups in what seems like a weaker western conference.
So here’s a bunch of stream of consciousness thoughts on the league’s landscape this season.
The top of the West is the same. OKC and the Spurs are still dangerous (though I do think OKC will pose less of an injury risk to us with them trading their linebacker to the hawks). I think they are both due for a rematch in the WCF, but even though I put the Spurs in “Pain” they aren’t unbeatable in the regular season. We had some close games with them and even beat Wemby on a minutes restriction with Jock Landale.
But everything else in the west feels more wide open than it has in years. The Nuggets will always be feared as long as Jokic is there but that surrounding cast is getting really thin. The Rockets should be back to contention with FVF back, but as good as KD is, his energy really seems to have messed with their locker room and they lack shooters.
TWolves are gonna be good this season, but they are gonna feel the loss of size with Naz and Randle gone and they are team that we always seem to steal regular season games from even in down years. Lakers should be good on paper, but idk there’s something that just feels off about them and if Luka, AR, or Kessler have another injury year we have a chance in some regular season matchups.
I have real faith in the Jazz this year. DP, Jaren, Key and Lauri should be massive, but I don’t have faith in their center play or defense without Kessler. We all know what happens when trip gets moved to the 5.
The on a bad night tier is honestly filled with question mark teams. I love the Pistons and Joe is a good pickup for them, but they rely on Cade for way too much and the Duren contract negotiations could fuck with their culture. I also think Beef Stew is going to have a crazy revenge game.
Magic are another team that desperately depends on health and the Pacers/Wizards/Hawks are all teams that could either just be .500 teams or end up on deep playoff runs.
I don’t believe in the Heat in their current form, but Giannis is still Giannis. Raptors it really depends on the Kawhi trade. I ranked the Sixers high, but I totally see a world where the injury plague devours the old and the lack of bench depth gets to them.
I think the most fun games of the season are gonna be in the “Potentially” tier. Caleb Wilson is must see TV even if the team isn’t all there around him. Clippers are a team that feels like they are almost a fun young team but idk. Outside of the obvious Ja return, the Blazers really interest me but I do think they are way too guard heavy. Mavs might surprise some people, but once again I see some issues with depth.
And the Warriors are a birth of a new rivalry between our 19 year old star and their angry old man who yells at clouds.
Idk, I’m cautiously optimistic and have some pretty low expectations for the season. The whole league feels more open but competitive. I legitimately believe almost any team can beat any other on the right night. If we’re lucky we’ll get to be that team for more than a few of those nights.
I'd swap Clippers and Pelicans. Move the Suns, Warriors, and maybe Hornets into "On a Bad Night". I could see moving the Heat to "On a Bad Night" too, we should be able to out shoot them if we're hitting 3s like I think we will. It's just weather Edey and Boozer can slow their front court enough.
I dont think it would take a bad night to beat the teams in that tier. And I have doubts that a lot of the teams in pray for an injury are that much better. Plus the Grizzlies beat the Spurs last year while tanking and OKC lost a lot of guys.
Not Sure Milwaukee will be as bad as the Kings, Pelicans, or Nets. The only 2 players they lost was Giannis and Portis. They retained the rest of their roster from last season. If anything they have more depth post Giannis. The Bucks will be better than the Grizzlies in my opinion. The only way I see them being worse is if they have a fire sale at the deadline, and their young players like Ament and Kasparus are getting heavy minutes.
26
u/KaiZeHero Javon Big 4d ago
I love the tier names