When you think of the NBA, you might think of Lebron James or Kobe Bryant as current players. You may even think of the dominant Chicago Bulls of the ’80s lead by Michael Jordan. But one thing not many think of first is the Memphis Grizzlies. A small market team that is just now growing roots in a loyal community in Tennessee. The Grizzlies moved from Vancouver just 12 years ago, and were most definitely are not considered an NBA powerhouse, or are they? Check out this graph, this shows the top 10 teams in total wins through the last four seasons.
ESPN releases a franchise ranking of every professional sports team in the United States every year, ranking franchises on a number categories. Memphis celebrated the ranking of the #4 best franchise in America to date, the second best NBA franchise behind the San Antonio Spurs. This season the Grizz have fluctuated between the the number one and two team in the NBA, based on wins, shocking most analyst. The Golden State Warriors, who play a style of play on the exact opposite of the spectrum that the Grizzlies, are the team that the Grizzare fighting with. Kevin Yeung, writer for SB Nation blog “Grizzly Bear Blues“, compared the two teams. “Three-point shooting is fun to watch, and a streak of hot shooting can ignite a special kind of spirit in fans,” he said. “But the Grizzlies, in their own way, make ugly basketball fun to watch. In their own ‘some men just want to watch the world burn’ way.”
So what makes the Grizzles so affective? For one, they have an MVP candidate in Marc Gasol, that always helps. They also have done a great job as a franchise to keep their core players together, which is a quality many NBA teams lack. Strategy and gameplay-wise: the Grizzlies play defensive minded. Defense wins championships right? Not in the NBA. Scoring, and out scoring your opponent, is what the NBA has evolved into in this day and age. The Grizzlies have learned to counter that approach with fundamental defense while playing to their offensive strengths. Andrew Howell, another writer for the Grizzlies SB Nation blog “Grizzly Bear Blues”, said “The Memphis Grizzlies are the embodiment to what basketball should be; they do everything the right way…yea on paper or at first glance the Grizzlies aren’t the prettiest team, but if you look closer you might just see their beauty.”
When you doubt the Grizz and #GrizzNation reacts like this….https://t.co/x1SS6LsElI
— 3 Shades of Blue (@3Shadesofblue) December 14, 2014
#GrizzNation has really come to define the Memphis, Tennessee community as whole. Avid follower of the Grizzlies, Charlie Politi, says “I am proud to be a fan of the Grizzlies. We are the underdogs, yet we wins games. We aren’t glamorous, but the whole state of Tennessee loves our team.” Zach Randolph, the starting power forward for the team has grown to love the city and the heart of the people who live there. “Nothing comes easy for us, … we get it out of the mud, we grind and we’re underdogs,” he said about his team and city. “It’s what we do.” Another starter, Tony Allen, has developed into the coined “GrindFather” because of his tenacious defense and connection to fans during games. He has repeated through the Grizzlies success that it’s “All heart. Grit. Grind.”
Great Win Grizz! #GNG #GrizzNation
A video posted by Mitch Davis (@kentuckyboy183) on
Is Tony Allen (@aa000G9) The @NBA's best defender? Let's take a look – http://t.co/VVx5Wrwe6M. @memgrizz #GoGrizz
— Beale Street Bears (@BealeStBearsFS) December 13, 2014
