NBA Power Rankings Week 2: The rise of the Atlanta Hawks

Last Week: Beat/OT Brooklyn Nets 116-111, Lost to Boston Celtics 126-107, Beat Charlotte Hornets 108-93

This Week: 1/3/2021 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1/5/2021 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1/7/2021 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 1/8/2021 vs. Brooklyn Nets

The involuntary tank may officially be on. There is no doubt the Memphis Grizzlies would have traded their first win of the season to reverse the injury that will keep second-year star Ja Morant out of the lineup for the next three to five weeks.

The win against the Brooklyn Nets feels good nonetheless but it may be a flash in the pan. The Grizzlies will be able to get wins against some of the lower-tier teams (as they did to end the week beating the Charlotte Hornets) but they were a fringe play-in team if they were going to be fully healthy.

With Morant, Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Justice Winslow (arguably their three best players) missing extended amounts of time, catching up in this Western Conference seems impossible.

Regardless, there are fun things to embrace about Memphis. Desmond Bane looks like a steal so far, even if he only maxes out as a talented role player. Tyus Jones is getting the chance to show what he can do filling in for Morant. Jonas Valanciunas and Dillon Brooks have been solid. Even Kyle Anderson had a career night this week. It is time to embrace the fun for this team and hope the youth they are missing can come back.