Saturday, April 30, 2011

For Memphis, Anything is Possible


Last night the Memphis Grizzlies toppled the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 to become just the 2nd team since the 2007 "We Believe" Warriors team to beat the #1 seed since the playoff format had move to a 7 game series for the first round.

But this feels so much better than the Warriors win for its unpredictability.  Yes the Warriors were a #8 seed as well, but that team had Don Nelson as coach (who if you'll remember knew the ins and outs of that Dallas team, having coached them for so long) and had also taken the season series against Dallas in convincing fashion.

But almost NOBODY thought the Grizzlies could do what they did to the Spurs.  The Grizzlies were missing one of their best players in Rudy Gay and had never even won a playoff game before this series.  The same Grizzlies who were derided (and still are) a few years ago for trading their best player to the Lakers seemingly for scraps. The guys who decided to take a chance on the much-maligned Zach Randolph.

These same Grizzlies are now advancing to the 2nd round.  They won by playing with toughness and heart, utilizing their size down low, and playing tough defense.  Many people will say that the Spurs were simply too old or too small to hang with the Grizzlies.  But the Spurs won 61 games in the regular season this year, with a core that had won 3 championships together.  They were trying to win, and the Grizzlies were simply better.

Will that be the case in the next series?  Who knows.  But don't be surprised if come a month from now we're still watching the Grizzlies play.  For Memphis, anything is possible.