One of many marquee matchups this yr 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 collection, followers have been prepared for the NBA’s subsequent rivalry. Not so quick, Andre Iguodala stated on the “Level Ahead” podcast:
“Ja loves the lights, and I believe you gonna see high-flying motion that evening. Like I stated earlier than, we talked in regards to the motivation that Memphis has coming into the sport the place they obtained Draymond’s quotes everywhere in the weight room. I believe the Warriors’ squad can be prepared, too!”
“It don’t matter what occur in that sport. It ain’t no rivalry. Identical to the Clippers-Warriors, they will speak about that as rivalry. Removed them boys.”
The yr earlier than, the Golden State Warriors fell to the Memphis Grizzlies in time beyond regulation within the play-in match. After the Warriors’ season ended, Steph Curry warned the NBA:
“You don’t wanna see us subsequent yr.”
The Warriors and Grizzlies met once more final season within the second spherical of the playoffs. There have been loads of subplots in the course of the collection 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 workforce ultimately eradicated the Grizzlies on their option to their fourth title in eight years. If for some cause each groups meet in subsequent yr’s playoffs, there may very well be one thing brewing. For now, Iggy solely sees Memphis’ risk as nothing greater than the LA Clippers’ heated video games towards the Warriors earlier than.
Through 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 yr, the Warriors and Clippers met in a mouthwatering collection.
The Lob Metropolis Clippers regarded like they might 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 collection.
18. Was Lob Metropolis chokers, had dangerous harm luck, or just not so good as we thought they have been? https://t.co/5mDCvCUzpi
The supposed rivalry didn’t pan out because the Bay Space workforce simply totally 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]](https://staticc.sportskeeda.com/editor/2022/08/03862-16612129344724-1920.jpg)
![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 the way to construct up a sport and milk it for no matter it’s price. 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 discuss right into a heavily-anticipated matchup, the hype couldn’t get any greater.
The 2 groups, nonetheless, can 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 could have a more healthy Klay Thompson, who could have a full coaching camp and preseason. Steve Kerr can even anticipate greater and higher issues from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole.
Coming quickly!
