Hoops Habit
Fansided

What to watch for from every NBA team in the second half

By Daniel Lubofsky

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against Kyrie Irving #11 during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 23, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against Kyrie Irving #11 during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 23, 2020 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Memphis Grizzlies: A legitimate playoff push

At 28-26 on the season, the Memphis Grizzlies currently occupy the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Ja Morant is the Rookie of the Year favorite. Dillon Brooks‘ play earned him a $35 million extension. Brandon Clarke already looks like the steal of the draft and Jaren Jackson Jr. has taken a sizeable step forward following an impressive rookie season.

This young nucleus was expected to excite but is far ahead of schedule even by the organization’s standards. But with 28 games remaining, locking up a postseason berth will be anything but easy.

The Grizzlies hold a four-game lead on the Blazers and a five-game edge over the Spurs. According to Tankathon.com, Memphis the hardest remaining schedule of any team in the NBA, whereas Portland and San Antonio rank 25th and 20th in that category, respectively.

The organization finally parted ways with Andre Iguodala, but the trade left a hole in the starting lineup as Jae Crowder, who started 45 games for Memphis, went to South Beach with him.

Justice Winslow would be a good piece to help fill that void at small forward, but he’s played only 11 games this season, none since a short-lived return in early January.

This season can already be classified as a success for a Memphis organization that only just embraced a rebuild a year ago. Making it truly unforgettable, however, will require a level of play these youngsters might not have just yet.

Then again, to doubt them is to fall victim to the same assumptions they’ve completely ignored all year long to earn the right to control their playoff destiny.