One of many marquee matchups this 12 months at Christmas is the sport between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies. The NBA seemingly rewarded the back-and-forth between Ja Morant and Draymond Inexperienced with a matchup.
After the Warriors bested the Grizzlies in a testy playoff sequence, followers had been prepared for the NBA’s subsequent rivalry. Not so quick, Andre Iguodala mentioned on the “Level Ahead” podcast:
“Ja loves the lights, and I believe you gonna see high-flying motion that night time. Like I mentioned earlier than, we talked in regards to the motivation that Memphis has coming into the sport the place they obtained Draymond’s quotes all around the weight room. I believe the Warriors’ squad will likely be prepared, too!”
“It don’t matter what occur in that sport. It ain’t no rivalry. Identical to the Clippers-Warriors, they will discuss that as rivalry. Removed them boys.”
The 12 months earlier than, the Golden State Warriors fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in time beyond regulation within the play-in event. After the Warriors’ season ended, Steph Curry warned the NBA:
“You don’t wanna see us subsequent 12 months.”
The Warriors and Grizzlies met once more final season within the second spherical of the playoffs. There have been loads of subplots through the sequence that circled the “breaking the code” hoopla. Dillon Brooks, Gary Payton II, Draymond Inexperienced, Brandon Clarke, Jordan Poole and Morant had controversial encounters.
The Bay Space staff ultimately eradicated the Grizzlies on their method to their fourth title in eight years. If for some purpose each groups meet in subsequent 12 months’s playoffs, there may very well be one thing brewing. For now, Iggy solely sees Memphis’ menace as nothing greater than the LA Clippers’ heated video games in opposition to the Warriors earlier than.
Throughout the Blake Griffin and Chris Paul period of the Clippers, they engaged the Warriors in a number of testy video games, significantly within the 2014 playoffs. Within the first spherical of the playoffs that 12 months, the Warriors and Clippers met in a mouthwatering sequence.
The Lob Metropolis Clippers regarded like they’d be perennial title contenders behind CP3 and the athletic and imposing duo of Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. They beat the Warriors in a slam-bang seven-game sequence.
The supposed rivalry didn’t pan out because the Bay Space staff simply completely dominated the NBA, whereas the Lob Metropolis Clippers in the end disbanded.
Christmas is the primary assembly between the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies since final season’s playoffs
![Draymond Green, left, and Ja Morant beefed their way to a marquee game on Christmas. [Photo: Sports Illustrated]](data:image/svg+xml,<svg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201200%20900%22></svg>)
The NBA certain is aware of easy methods to construct up a sport and milk it for no matter it’s value. Followers have 4 months to attend earlier than the Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies battle.
After Ja Morant and Draymond Inexperienced parlayed their trash speak right into a heavily-anticipated matchup, the hype couldn’t get any larger.
The 2 groups, nevertheless, will likely be considerably completely different because the playoffs. Kyle Anderson is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, whereas De’Anthony Melton was traded to Philly for Danny Inexperienced. Memphis has added just a few rookies as reinforcements.
The Warriors, in the meantime, have solely gotten richer. They get again James Wiseman and are relying on the regular improvement of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Though the Warriors misplaced Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., in addition they acquired Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Inexperienced in free company.
Golden State can have a more healthy Klay Thompson, who can have a full coaching camp and preseason. Steve Kerr may also anticipate larger and higher issues from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole.
Coming quickly!
