Manu is probably out for Game 1. Grizzlies are hungry. If they pull off the upset, they could absolutely beat Denver or OKC. Wow, it would be crazy to see ZBo in the WCF.
I'm kind of torn about the Grizz. I would love to see Zach do well, but I hate to see tanking so they could get a lower seed pay off for them.
I doubt it. They have no experience. Most of their best players are young guys. They're in the same spot we were in two years ago.
Zach's most recent playoff experience was 8 years ago against Dallas. He has very limited playoff experience and has never won a series. Tony Allen and Shane Battier have a lot more post season experience, have been in the playoffs much more recently, and have been on teams that have advanced multiple times. That said, I don't see the Grizzlies making it to the WCF. It will be a tough series against the Spurs. Even if the Grizz get past the Spurs, I don't see them getting past OKC. BNM
In general, better teams win 7-game series. There have been notable exceptions, but I think that thinking the Grizz will pull off two of those exceptions in one year with a core centered around Z-bo, Mark Gasol and Mike Conley is, well....