How are the Memphis Grizzlies Soooo Good?

NBA things that surprised me thus far.

It is only human to perceive.

And since I am a human, I had perceptions about how the NBA was going to look prior to the 2021-22 NBA season opener.

But now that we are about halfway through the season, things are not looking exactly like how I imagined.

So, here are 3 things that I am really surprised with:

1. The Memphis Grizzlies’ Success

With how they did last season, I knew that they were going to be problematic one day. But I didn’t know that that day was right now.

Okay, so I’m writing this newsletter on Feb.1, 2022. As of right now, the Grizzlies are currently sitting at third place in the Western Conference AND in the NBA standings.

What that means is that if they were in the East, they would be in the top spot, beating out the Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks.

Ponder that for a second.

Are you as surprised as I am? Because you should be. 

I don’t think many people expected them to be this good, this soon. 

I had an inkling that Ja Morant was going to be special and do awesome things this season. But I didn’t expect it from his team, as a collective, as well.

I’m honestly really excited to see how they do in the playoffs.

2. The Minnesota Timberwolves Playing Amazing Defense

Did you know that the Minnesota Timberwolves currently have the 15th best defensive rating in the NBA?

Now, that may not sound that impressive. But it’s a huge improvement from last season, where they were sitting in the bottom 3.

In addition to this surprise, another thing that caught me out of the blue was learning that D’Angelo Russell is the team’s defensive quarterback.

I know, you’re just as surprised as I am!

Russell, we all know, can score. He is a fantastic offensive player. 

But a defensive mastermind like Draymond Green (kind of)? A player who directs the defensive plays?

No one expected that.

And if you say you did, you’re clearly lying.

I will admit, however, that the Timberwolves still have a lot of work to do on the defensive end. 

They are only 15th (at the time of this writing).

But if there was an award for Most Improved Defensive Team, they would one hundred percent win it.

3. How well the Los Angeles Clippers are playing sans stars and how poorly the Los Angeles Lakers are playing with many superstars

Kawhi Leonard hasn’t played a single game this season. Paul George only played a handful of games.

But yet, the Clippers are eighth in the West. They’ve also beat some really good teams with their, essentially, second unit.

The Lakers, on the other hand, acquired Russell Westbrook in the off-season and still have LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

But they’re currently ninth in the West, one standing below the Clippers.

Is this not funny to you? It is to me! 

But then again, a lot of things are. I think I may have coping issues and that’s the reason why I can’t take serious things well.

Anywhoo…

There is a possibility that the Lakers will pick it up after the All-Star break and bulldoze all the teams above them in the standings.

Some of their stars were out for a portion of the first half of the season.

There’s also a chance that the Clippers decide to sit their injured superstars for the remainder of the season, tank, and get a high draft pick.

But there’s also the chance that none of those events happen.

So, there’s that.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the things that surprised me this season thus far. And there will absolutely be more and I will absolutely share it with you guys in this newsletter.

So, keep your eyes locked for when I send these out and subscribe if you haven’t done so already.

Anyway, what has surprised you this season?

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