SERIES IN REVIEW: The Spurs and the Grizzlies

The Matchup

The San Antonio Spurs achieved what was likely the quietest, most underrated dominant season that I can recall. Achieving 60 wins is hugely successful, 65 wins is elite, and anything above that is rare-air. They won 71 times, including big winning streaks. The Spurs have built as the season progressed, winning every trade they took part in. As soon as they acquired Damian Lillard, the final stroke, the canvas became a masterpiece; all the players on the Spurs are now maximising their abilities while complementing their teammates, achieving god-like chemistry and arguably the best offensive ceiling in the league.

As a warning to all other playoff teams, they ran up a pitiful Houston effort for 172 points. A ridiculous total that I never thought I would see. Their offense is carried by Lillard but is buoyed by their elite defence, boasting as many or more lockdown defenders than any other team. They are versatile and adaptable and a scary fucking team. I really don’t have a lot of time for them because I have spent so much time on them. Nelso has performed at an elite level all season (god damnit). Congratulations on making the playoffs with such style.

The Grizzlies found rhythm as the last quarter of the season rolled around. The roster is talented and young, but chemistry and injury issues seem to have capped their upside and output all season long. Memphis finished the season winning nine of the last ten games, and then won the play-in game to secure the seventh spot. Rootsey has been cautious as always with his team building and tinkering, keeping the core mostly intact from the start of the season and continuing to maintain lots of draft picks and value.

Their small team showed promising signs, helping them achieve the winning end to the season, with a finally healthy JJJ at the SF position, OG at the PF position and Herro starting. This team took scalps of LAC, Washington, Phila, Indiana and Phoenix. Finding their best form at the right time, the Grizzlies strongly secured their playoff spot. However, a juggernaut second-seed awaits…
 

Game One

The Spurs jumped out early and started on fire as they tend to do, with the lead at 16 at the end of the first. This would remain the margin at the conclusion of the game, with San Antonio 133, Memphis 117. Mike Conley was the lone scorer for the Grizzlies with 34, whereas the Spurs had six score in double figures, with 25 from Holiday, 24 from Butler and 23 from Dame. 39 assists from the Spurs shows just how harmonious their offense is.

Game Two

Game Two required a spark from the Grizzlies to keep the series alive and what they brought was beyond shit in terms of effort and execution. It feels strange even typing this, but the Spurs were up 50 POINTS at the HALF. Mind-boggling. Conley went off for 44 points in vain, but the rest of the Grizzlies talent remained in the regular season. Final scores were San Antonio 146, Memphis 97. At this point, the series is over the Rootsey has gone fishin’.

Game Three

Game Three saw a better overall contribution across the Grizzlies team, but it was all for nought. A better scoring spread didn’t lead to better defensive efforts, and the benches were emptied early and often. The Spurs celebratory parade continued and they surely licked whipped cream off each other after this one, as the series is well and truly done. To really piss in the Grizzlies faces, Jamychel Green and Jeff Teague scored 27 combined. San Antonio 121, Memphis 80.

Game Four

In a game simply titled ‘The Mercy Kill’, the 417 fans in attendance at The Pyramid in Memphis got to watch the inevitable occur, with the Spurs cruising to an easy win and officially concluding the first round for each team. The Spurs barely broke a sweat and the Grizzlies broke some backboards, San Antonio 133, Memphis 107.

Conclusions
After the Grizzlies showed some grit in game one, the second game crushing was enough for Rootsey to turn the lights off at the gym and send his players off for nicely earned rest. The Spurs are on a mission and the Grizz never really stood a chance. The triumphant Spurs moved onto the second round to face the New Orleans Pelicans.

Five players averaged double figure scoring for Spurs, who cruised through the series. They lead in all the important statistical categories, and their veteran talent was just too much for the young Grizzlies. Damian Lillard can’t be stopped, it’s fact. Butler is the best on-ball defender in the game and it’s annoying. He’s so much better than, say, Kawhi in 2k, when it comes to defence. Butler gets on-ball steals at a higher rate than any other player I have seen and has physical intangibles that are rare in their form and impact. Noel is the perfect 2k big and I am envious of all the amazing trading the Spurs have done.

When Conley returned, he was great for the Grizzlies with his playoff experience. The Spurs height and strength was too much for OG and Favors. Does this put an end to the small-ball experiment? To be honest, I don’t think there was anything the Grizzlies could have done to win the series. So the future should remain as bright for them as it was before the playoffs began.

The Spurs are now positioned as true contenders and title favourites. No one can score like them and few can stop like them. God help us all. Seems inevitable that Spurs win it all.