NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

. 16-16. Previous: 19th. Memphis Grizzlies. 16. team. 211

Last Week: Beat Houston Rockets 133-84, Beat Washington Wizards 125-111, Lost to Milwaukee Bucks 112-111

This Week: 3/10 vs. Washington Wizards, 3/12 vs. Denver Nuggets

All the Memphis Grizzlies do is compete. They have been dealing with injuries since before the season started, going beyond any of the health and safety protocols that have afflicted the rest of the league, though they have had to deal with those as well. Justice Winslow just came back in the last few weeks and Jaren Jackson Jr. has yet to return. So why are things working for the Grizzlies already?

No one told the Grizzlies that they were not supposed to be competing while they were waiting for the rest of the team to get back. Ja Morant is even better than last season, averaging 19.8 points and 7.7 assists per game. He needs to develop his outside game. When he does, everything will change for him again. He is already that good and that is the final straw.

Justice Winslow has shown flashes of the potential he showed with the Miami Heat. Health will always be the issue for him, but the pressure is completely off. Memphis is loading up with quality at every position. Dillon Brooks, Jonas Valanciunas, Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, Brandon Clarke and Kyle Anderson have all stepped up at different times. Hope is brewing in Memphis.