This is a hard series to call, because all season it's been like the Grizzlies have been beating up on these older, established teams, especially out West. But in Golden State's defense, I don't think they ever played against Memphis at full strength, as the Warriors are now.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
They still remain my sentimental favorites, but this may be where the buck stops.
STARTING 5 MAKEUP
PG-SG-2G-SF-PF (point guard, shooting guard, 2guard, small forward, power forward)
That's based on the starting lineup the Warriors rolled out in Game 5 against the Nuggets, which consisted of all three Splash Brothers + Draymond and Andrew Wiggins. That's supposed to be their new "Death Lineup" or whatever, but it leaves much to be desired in terms of starting that combination.
BIGGEST STRENGTH
Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike are my favorite pair of announcers, after only Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. Mark and Jeff, being established in the NBA pantheon, don't give AF. But it's amusing listening to Bob and Kelenna, because you can tell they're real Warriors fan. Like if Golden State is down by even a point, they get nervous - like true fans, who want their team to lead throughout the entire game. In Game 5 the Warriors were down by like 10 in the third quarter, and dudes were panicking.
But like I said before, big leads, unless maybe you're up by 30, doesn't mean shit against the Splash Brothers. When Steph gets going, the threes and layups he makes are so unorthodox that there's nothing a defense can do. When Klay is hot, on top of making his own crazy threes he also attacks from the midrange, and there's nothing defenses can do. And Poole has like this slashing game in addition to a sometimes-hot threepointer, even though I fear at times he may break his own ankles.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS
I hope Steve Kerr doesn't start all three Splash Bros. like he did in Game 5. Steph was averaging nearly 30ppg coming off the bench(!) earlier in the series. And as outstanding as that was, of course when there's egos etc. involved, he wasn't going to remain on the bench for long. But if you have to start Steph out of respect, then that means Jordan has to go to the bench.
X-FACTOR
I'd like to say Jonathan Kuminga in this case, and maybe the Gauntlet. If there's one advantage the Grizzlies have over Golden State, it's youthful energy. And in matching that, there's may be no better player on the Warriors roster than Kuminga. Also, Gary Payton Jr. has the best chance of all defenders in locking Ja Morant down, even though he seems to play dirty sometimes.
KARMA ASSESSMENT
The Warriors appear to have really good karma in terms of supporting each other. Even some quality players who haven't been getting any burn during the Playoffs seem real supportive of the ones that are. But the thing is that if there's one team that perhaps has even better karma amongst its roster, imo that'd be the Grizzlies.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
The Grizzlies had a tough time against Minnesota, but that's understandable, because the Timberwolves are a really talented team to be a 7 seed.
STARTING 5 MAKEUP
The Grizzlies benched Steven Adams, perhaps after being incepted. But I think I finally figured it out. When Ja Morant is unable to play, Memphis is better with Adams. But when he's running around all wascally and shit, they're better off playing someone younger and faster at the 5.
So I would presume they'll continue to start Xavier Tillman at C, whose like a cross between a slower, traditional C and a younger, faster one. But of course Brandon Clarke, who falls more into the latter category, will end up getting more minutes.
BIGGEST WEAKNESS
I'm not inclined at this point to say the Grizzlies have a weakness besides the potential for injury. But if they had a hard time defending Edwards/Russell, than the Splash Brothers are prolly going to drive their perimeter defense crazy.
X-FACTOR
Dillon Brooks, who I never even heard of until like a month ago, has really grown on me. And he's like pretty big to be a SF.
KARMA ASSESSMENT
The Grizzlies be deadass partying before and after games. Sometimes I think it's foolish, or cocky to say the least, to do so beforehand. And of course, we don't really know what goes on behind the scenes. But these dudes look like they have each other backs. Also, it is possible that they have the backing of the NBA itself.
CONCLUSION
It makes me nervous to have the audacity to predict against the Splash Bros. and rather go with a team that has a questionable perimeter defense, but I think Memphis, if healthy, will take the series.
Ja Morant is a giant killer, the one player most responsible for humbling Lebron and the Lakers this season. He put up Magic-like numbers against the Timberwolves, and his pops still dissed him. And that may just be the additional fire he needs to pick the Warriors apart.
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