2015 NBA Playoff Previews: Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies
By Ian Levy
Apr 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 111-107. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The second round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs is here, and so we are here with some previews. These were done RTOE (roundtable over everything) style, and yes, those are Drake lyrics.
Golden State Warriors (1) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (5)
Oh my god, oh my god, if I die, I’m a legend: Who is the most important player in this series?
Zach Oliver (@ZachOliverNBA): Andrew Bogut. With Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph doing a lot of the damage for the Grizzlies, I think Golden State’s big men, especially Bogut, will be a big key if they want to win. Obviously we know how well their guards play, but I think this series comes down to bigs.
Matt Cianfrone (@Matt_Cianfrone): This is going to be a weird one because he might not play, but Mike Conley. If Conley can play, the Grizzlies have a shot at slowing down Stephen Curry. But if he doesn’t, they don’t. Pretty simple there.
Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg): I’m going to take the easy way out and go with Stephen Curry. The dude is about to win Most Valuable Player in the league so, of course, he’s the most important player in this series. Best player on the court = most important.
Jack Maloney (@jackhaveitall): Yeah, this has to be Steph Curry. He’s the MVP.
I’m not here to give out compliments, or boost nobody confidence, momma: Talk trash about a player or team in this series.
Zach: Nick Calathes, come on, man. You’re from my area, you went to high school at one of my school’s rivals, but man, you’ve got a hairline of a 45-year-old man. And when you get on the floor? You took a performance enhancing drug? Clearly that didn’t work out either. Go back overseas, bud.
Matt: Half man, half depressing. I remember when Vince Carter was good for highlights on a nightly basis. Now it looks like he deserves highlights for getting off the bench. How the mighty have fallen.
Wes: Klay Thompson looks like a toe.
Jack: Why Jeff’s last name Green when his shot chart is looking so red?
These days, I’m letting God handle all things above me. The things I can’t change are the reasons you love me: Which player in this series do you love watching despite their flaws?
Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) celebrates after a play against the Portland Trailblazers in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Zach: Tony Allen. How can you not love to watch the Grindfather play? I know he has his shortcomings on the offensive end, but he’s a ball of energy, get’s after it on the defensive end, and is the best towel waving cheerleader ever on the bench.
Matt: Tony Allen. The energy, the dancing, the hope that someone will mic Tony up one game and play the feed unfiltered. This answer wasn’t even close.
Wes: Marreese Speights is reckless, can shoot himself in or out of a game and is far from a perfect NBA player. But that’s why we love him. When Speights gets hot, look out, because it’s a helluva lot of fun.
Jack: Easiest question of the night. Trick-or-treat Tony Allen. I don’t even think Tony knows what’s going to happen when he gets the ball on offense, but on defense? Everyone knows exactly what’s coming, and it’s going to be amazing.
Pray the real live forever man, pray the fakes get exposed: What’s the most important matchup in this series, and who will have the upper hand?
Zach: Mike Conley vs Steph Curry. Outside of the big men matchup, I think this is the matchup that can really swing the series. A lot of it depends on the health of Conley, because we all know how tough of a matchup Steph is. It should be a very good one, should both be healthy and ready to go for seven games.
Matt: Tony Allen vs. whoever he defends. For the Grizzlies to win this series Tony Allen needs to lock someone up. My guess is the first attempt is Klay Thompson but depending on Conley I can see it being Steph too. I think this is a push but if I had to lean one way I go Warriors because they have hit tough shots all year.
Wes: Zach Randolph has a chance to take advantage of the undersized power forward rotation of Golden State. Z-Bo has a legitimate size advantage against Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes and, if he has a monster series, could make things interesting.
Jack: The frontcourt matchup. It’s going to be a chess match all series down low. How the Grizzlies respond when the Warriors go to their extra small lineup with Draymond Green at center will be very interesting. I’m going to give the slight edge to the Warriors due to their versatility and depth.