The NSL Playoffs are finally here and it is time to separate the Contenders from the Pretenders. In the first round, the Memphis Grizzlies and the OKC Thunder are looking to stake their claim as contenders and put the league on notice.

Memphis Grizzlies

Record 60-22

The Grizzlies who are coming off a second consecutive 60 win season have historically been a defense-first franchise. But this season they have mixed things up a bit and have moved on from defensive guards like Mike Conly and Marcus Smart in Favor of giving more playing time to sharpshooter Tyler Herro. Midseason they swung a deal for the off injured Bradley Beal who when healthy can get buckets with a craftiness very few can match.

With the slight change in philosophy, Rootsey has likely created one of the most balanced teams the NSL has ever seen. Jaylen Brown is the clear superstar of this team. But when surrounded by the likes of Herro, Beal, Bam Adebayo, and Jaren Jackson Jr. You have a team that can attack you from any position on offense and help intelligently on defense. What they lack in overall size they make up for with length and athleticism.

OKC Thunder

Record 50 - 32

The Thunder with a change in management has gone from a lottery team to a potential playoff powerhouse. After being in the lottery last year they were able to essentially flip their 50-loss record from last year and firmly secure a 6th seed in this year's playoffs. Oh, and the guy they picked in the lottery Chet Holmgren has yet to play a game. With what some would consider a more traditional blend of youthful exuberance and veteran leadership. The Thunder are probably slightly ahead of the usual projected curve of potential success.

Led by budding star player Anthony Edwards the Thunder will never be lacking in confidence and bravado. Veterans like DeAndre Jordan and lead guard Spencer Dinwiddie keep things tied together on the court at all times. With the defensive and rebounding excellence of Onyeka Okongwu and the sharp shooting of Kevin Huerter. You have a team that can either suddenly get hot on offense or suddenly lock an opponent down on defense. It's easy to see how they became a 50+ win team almost overnight.

Matchups

Center - DeAndre Jordan vs Jaren Jackson Jr. DeAndred Jordan is pretty much at the end of his prime. With Lob City days long gone he is not much of an offensive threat. But his size experience and athleticism allow him to remain one of the league's best rebounders and low post defenders. JJJ has above-average athleticism and a nice little midrange jumper he can pull out on occasion. His main strength though is his Neo-like defensive awareness in the paint. He chase down a block or put in an extra effort to push you off the spot you want on the block and still provide help where needed. 

Edge - DeAndre Jordan due to 2K Elite rebounding.

Power Forward - Bam Adebayo vs Onyeka Okongu This is a tasty matchup between a seasoned veteran and a young buck of similar skillset looking to make a name for himself. Bam is versatile if not slightly undersized post player. Capable of getting his own points depending on matchups and is one of the most hellacious defenders in the league. Locking down post players as well as perimeter guys. You would be hard pressed to find a better defensive anchor in the league despite his less than ideal rebounding ability. Onyeko Okongu has come as advertised. A young lanky pogo stick that can play above his height do to length and athleticism. Not quite the defender yet that Bam is but you can see it coming together for him with each passing game.

Edge - Bam Adebayo due to his experience and defensive versatility.

Small Foward - Bradley Beal vs Kevin Huerter Beal needs no introduction. As one of the most coveted scorers in this past Free Agency, Beal can get buckets at a relatively efficient rate even though he lacks the speed of other players of a similar skillset. He makes up for it with an underappreciated shot iq that allows him to take fewer bad shots and make more good ones which may not give you the highest scoring average but contributes nicely to the win column. Huerter is a classic role player that consistently gives you more than what you expect. A silky smooth shooter with deceptive speed, he can get to the rack as well as drain it from deep he can sneak his way up to 20 points before you know it.

Edge - Bradley Beal as a known near-prolific scorer, he is just capable of putting more pressure on the defense making things a bit easier for his teammates.

Shooting Guard -  Jaylen Brown vs Anthony Edwards - Brown is a perennial two-way all-star. Capable of big nights on offense and big nights on defense by locking down his assignment and making it tough for them to get comfortable. Jaylen is a high IQ player that is capable of filling different roles to some degree causing teams to have to account for him no matter what the game situation is. Anthony Edwards is likely a future scoring champion. With out the gym athleticism its only a matter of time before his IQ catches up with his body and he becomes an unstoppable offensive force. Like many young players that like to be on ESPN�s top 10 plays. The defensive parts of his game still aren�t quite there yet. The ball is in his court if he wants to be just a good player or an all time great.

Edge - Jaylen Brown although not too much older than Edwards just brings way too much to the table in his two-way ability and leadership.

Poing Guard - Tyler Herro vs Spencer Dinwiddie Tyler Herro is unquestionably a legend in his own mind. But somehow on occasion, he is able to back it up. More of a scoring guard than a playmaker. Herro has an ability to score from the perimeter that defenses have to respect and a near Reggie Miller level of confidence that allows him to keep shooting even on a bad night which allows him to help his team more as a scoring threat than a true playmaking guard. Spencer Dinwiddie could be one of the most under appreciated guards in the league. Something like a Rod Strickland kind of player he can get his own shot in a variety of ways and keep his teammates involved with playmaking and experienced leadership. Neither player is elite at what they do but they fill very specific roles for their team that are critical to their success.

Edge - Spencer Dinwiddie is just able to get more out of his available talent and situation giving him a slight win in this department.

Bench Depth - Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton, and Mitchell Robinson vs Kevin Looney, Tyus Jones, and Keegan Murray Both teams feature key versatile players as part of the depth chart offering a combination a nice cocktail of rebounding, defense, playmaking and scoring that most GM�s would dream of. 

Edge - Even, the fact that some of these players can start for a number of teams in the league speaks for itself. Its a potentially insane rotation that is hard for anyone to matchup against.

Prediction - Memphis in 5 Overall the Grizzlies are just a bit too seasoned and are a bit more consistent on offense and defense. As a 60-win team it's hard to bet against them in any first-round matchup. The Thunder and their 1st year GM James can look at the season as a positive learning experience and look to future success as they have Chet Holmgren waiting to make his debut next season.