One of the more intriguing stories of this NBA season and most notably during the Playoffs, is that of the the Memphis Grizzlies. Entering the Playoffs as the 8th seed in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies were given the daunting task of having to face the top seeded San Antonio Spurs in a David versus Goliath type situation. However, the young Memphis squad proved to be up for the challenge and went on to defeat the Spurs in 6-games, closing the series out at home in front of a raucous crowd. Prior to the series, the Grizzlies franchise which started in Vancouver 15-years ago had never won a playoff series, let alone a playoff game in their four playoff appearances. So it was only fitting for the Grizzlies to notch their first ever series triumph against the best team in the West.
With a youthful crop of talent orchestrated by Zach Randolph who has had himself a remarkable season earning his way onto the NBA All-Star team for the first time in his 10-year career, next on the list for the Grizzlies is an Oklahoma City Thunder team who they most resemble. Just a year ago, the Thunder converted one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history when they improved from their 23-59 record in 2008-2009 to an astonishing 50-32 mark in 2009-2010. A major factor to their 27-game turnaround, was the development of Kevin Durant along with an impressive 2010 Draft class which included gem's James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma's nucleus of young star-studded players proved their 2009 campaign was no fluke, by winning 55-games this season, earning them the 4th seed. With so much potential at such a young age, the Thunder easily have the intangibles to be one of the more formidable squads in the league for many years to come.
Although Memphis' improvement from last year's mediocre 40-42 record didn't quite compare to Oklahoma City's, the 6-game progression would be all they needed to awe the critics. Similar to OKC, the Grizzlies proved their ousting of the top-seeded Spurs was no fluke, as they went on to defeat the Thunder on their own home court in Game 1. With no answer for Zach Randolph defensively, the former Most Improved Player (2004) finished the game with a stellar 34 points and 10 boards. Marc Gasol, brother of Lakers star forward Pau Gasol also contributed by compiling 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds. Not be forgotten is Grizzlies point-guard Mike Conley.What I find most impressive regarding Memphis' run, is that they've been able to do it all without their leader Rudy Gay who's been out since mid-February.
As Oklahoma City prepares to seek revenge in Game 2 on Tuesday, I expect the series to be tied heading into Game 3 when the battle shifts to Memphis on Thursday. And if it is, you can consider this one a coin-toss as to who advances to the Western Conference Finals. But just to pick a side, I'll go with one of the game's better closers in Durant and give the Thunder the upper-hand in 7-games assuming the newly acquired Kendrick Perkins is able to contain Randolph and prevent him from making a habit out of his Game 1 outburst.
