Are the Memphis Grizzlies back aka should we take them seriously

Memphis has warts... if they fall behind by double digits, it is hard for them to comeback. If Conley isn't shooting well, they can go long periods without scoring.

However, I REALLY hope that they play the Thunder or Clippers in the first round. They have a 40% chance of winning the series, and if they don't, they will have battered and bruised the Thunder or Clippers.

 

Memphis is 9-6 against Spurs, Thunder, Rockets, Clippers, Blazers, Warriors, and Mavs when Gasol plays. If they get into the playoffs healthy they are going to give somebody hell and they could easily upset a top seed (not really an upset, because if Gasol were healthy for the season they would be in the top half of the playoff bracket).

 

Honestly the Western conference bracket is a nightmare. The easiest out these days looks like Portland, and they are freaking 42-23. GS could easily upset anyone, as could Memphis and Dallas. The only teams I'd feel comfortable going into the 1st round against would be Portland and Phoenix, and even then the series would probably take at least 6 games.