Former NBA Finals MVP dismisses the notion of ‘rivalry’ between Golden State Warriors and Grizzlies
Former NBA Finals MVP dismisses the notion of ‘rivalry’ between Golden State Warriors and Grizzlies: The Christmas game between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated contests of the holiday season.
The National Basketball Association has ostensibly retaliated for the verbal sparring between Ja Morant and Draymond Green by scheduling a matchup between the two players.
Fans eagerly anticipated the next rivalry matchup in the NBA after the Warriors victory over the Grizzlies in a contentious playoff series. Andre Iguodala warned listeners of the “Point Forward” podcast not to get their hopes up too quickly:
“Ja adores the bright lights, and I feel that you will see some high-flying activity that evening. We discussed the motivation that Memphis has come into the game, where they have Draymond’s remarks plastered all over the weight room, as I mentioned before. I feel that the Warriors’ team will also be prepared!
“It makes no difference what the outcome of that game is. There is no competition here. They may talk about that as a rivalry like they talk about the Clippers and Warriors. Get rid of those young men.”
In the previous year’s play-in tournament, the Golden State Warriors were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime. The game went into extra time. After the conclusion of the Warriors’ season, Steph Curry issued the following warning to the NBA:
“You do not want to see us the next year.”
The Warriors and the Grizzlies played each other again in the previous year’s second round of the playoffs. Throughout the course of the series, there were several side stories that revolved around the “cracking the code” hype. Several players, including Dillon Brooks, Gary Payton II, Draymond Green, Brandon Clarke, Jordan Poole, and Morant, were involved in contentious interactions.
In the end, the squad from the Bay Area prevailed over the Grizzlies and went on to win their fourth championship in the last eight years. There is the potential for trouble if the two teams face each other in the playoffs the following year for whatever reason. Iggy doesn’t see much of a threat posed by Memphis right now since all he can think of is how the Los Angeles Clippers have struggled against the Golden State Warriors in the past.
When Blake Griffin and Chris Paul played for the Clippers, they were involved in multiple tense games against the Warriors, most notably in the playoffs of 2014. A fascinating series between the Warriors and the Clippers took place in the first round of the playoffs that particular year.
Behind CP3 and the athletic and intimidating pair of Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, the Lob City Clippers appeared to have the makings of a team that would be a consistent title contender. They prevailed against the Warriors in a gruelling best-of-seven series.
The projected competition never materialised because the team from the Bay Area went on to completely dominate the NBA while the Lob City Clippers went out of business in the end.
Christmas is the first meeting
The NBA is good at building up a game and then maximising its potential in whatever way possible. The next matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies won’t occur for another four months.
After Ja Morant and Draymond Green turned their trash talking into a highly anticipated matchup, the anticipation around the game reached an all-time high and could not increase much further.
The two teams, on the other hand, will be quite different after having participated in the playoffs. While De’Anthony Melton was sent to Philadelphia in exchange for Danny Green, Kyle Anderson has found a new home with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizzlies have strengthened their roster by bringing in a few fresh faces.
The Warriors, on the other hand, have continued to amass wealth. They get James Wiseman back and are banking on the continued growth of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. Also, they get some help. Even though they parted ways with Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr., the Warriors were successful in free agency, signing Donte DiVincenzo and JaMychal Green.
Klay Thompson will be in better shape for the Golden State Warriors and will be able to participate in both the training camp and preseason in their entirety. In addition, Steve Kerr should anticipate greater and more significant accomplishments from Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole.