Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break

By Tamberlyn Richardson

FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
FEBRUARY 11: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the OKC Thunder handles the ball during the game against the San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings Week 14: Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during a game against the Phoenix Suns. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

211. . 28-26. Previous: 14th. Memphis Grizzlies. 14. team

Memphis Grizzlies:

Offense: (109.0) 18th
Defense: (110.3) 16th
Net: (minus -1.3) 17th

Results Week 17: (1-0) Won vs. Blazers: 111-104
Games Week 18: (2 games) Thurs at Kings | Fri at Lakers

The youngsters continue to impress. Unlike the Suns who came out of the gate hot or other clubs who’ve strung together win streaks only to go on losing skids this Grizzlies squad sure seems like the real deal. Are they in the conversation for the elite crews yet? No. But, it’s hard to deny they along with the Pelicans may have the most diverse young crew in the Association.

Better still, while Zion has the benefit of Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram (a young vet), Derrick Favors and E’Twaun Moore this Grizzlies crew is led by their rookie.

Jonas Valanciunas with seven years in the biz is their vet. Memphis jettisoned Jae Crowder to the Heat, a move that made sense since he was the one acting like a rook in New York while the 20-year old Morant came to his defense.

That factor is what makes this club so exciting. It sort of reminds of the young OKC Thunder days with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka, and James Harden. These Grizzlies seem destined to excel. Of course, there is the caution of what occurred this season to last season’s Cinderella crew (the Kings). And yet, there’s just something about Morant that screams – he’s got the right leadership DNA.

Memphis faces a tough stretch run with a road heavy schedule. Of their 28 remaining games16 are on the road, 18 are against current seeds and another five are against the three teams directly behind them.

That’s a bit daunting, but since December 9th they are 22-11 and have statement victories on the road.

Regardless if they make the playoffs or not this season was a win. But, with the Pelicans so far behind, the Spurs not beating the teams they should and the Blazers dealing with injuries you have to think they have a great shot of making the postseason.

And, of those four squads, it also feels like Morant wouldn’t be afraid of LeBron and even if they got swept it would only serve to fuel his (and his teammates) offseason preparation for next year.

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