Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: NBA's Most Anticipated Games

Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: The NBA Season’s Most Anticipated Games

May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) last second shot in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center.Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 14, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) and Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) defend a shot by Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during the second half at US Airways Center. The Grizzlies won 97-91. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

I’m looking forward to Grizzlies vs. Suns on Wednesday, November 5
By Jeremy Conlin (@jeremy_conlin)

On Wednesday, November 5, the Suns host the Grizzlies at 9 pm Eastern. All things considered, it’s not the most important game of the season. With both teams mingling around the bottom half of the playoff bracket it could, by the end of the season, come to matter as a tiebreaker for playoff seeding or even a playoff spot itself.

But that’s not why the game is important.

The game is important, because at some point during the contest, it’s possible, even likely, that Phoenix will toss out a lineup featuring Goran Dragic, Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas, Marcus Morris, and Markieff Morris. That lineup figures to be a change-of-pace group that Phoenix could turn to a lot. Meanwhile, it’s possible — even likely — that Memphis will toss out a lineup featuring Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Vince Carter, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol. And it’s possible, even likely, that the two lineups will be on the floor at the same time.

How the universe acts in response to this is why the game is important.

Phoenix will be utilizing the smallest, fastest lineup in the league. Memphis will be utilizing the biggest, most physical lineup in the league. The two will clash, and what will happen? Will a vortex spontaneously manifest at mid-court? Will the team’s uniforms reverse colors? Will we finally be able to see the fourth dimension? Will our eyes malfunction and lose all depth perception? Will a wizard appear and grant us three wishes? Will the ghost of Walter Cronkite take over the PA announcer’s microphone? Will John Tesh teleport in and play “Roundball Rock” on a harpsichord and a glockenspiel? Will the Suns disappear from sight and be replaced clones of Stevie Nicks? Will the Grizzlies disappear and be replaced by Elvis impersonators? Will the arena be filled by thick fog and the 10 players on the court must fight each other to the death in the THUNDERDOME?

The possibilities are endless, and that’s why the game is important.

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