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NBA Playoffs 2017: Power ranking all 16 playoff teams

By Chris Barnewall

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 9, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum. Detroit Pistons defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) and Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at FedExForum. Detroit Pistons defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Memphis Grizzlies

Talk about bleh finishes. The Grizzlies have been the least-impressive looking playoff team in the West to finish the season. They’ve failed to beat the good teams and their wins against the bad ones were few and far between. Perhaps they were just preparing for what really matters, the playoffs, or maybe they have some problems that can’t be fixed. Either way they need to figure it out soon, because their first round matchup is against a scary Spurs squad.

If there is one positive for the Grizzlies it’s that they might be the worst possible matchup for San Antonio. The Spurs’ most important advantage against a lot of teams is being bigger than them in the small ball era, but the Grizzlies are already very big and don’t have to worry about losing out to 3-point shooting. San Antonio is still a far superior team offensively and defensively, but San Antonio playing a style that Memphis prefers is good for the Grizzlies.

Unfortunately, they’ve been so inconsistent this year it’s hard to figure out which team is going to show up — the one that played the Spurs and Warriors tight all season, or the one that finished the year barely able to beat even the worst teams. This series has the potential to be one of those insane nobody-saw-it-upsets, but the Grizzlies have to start playing better basketball to make it happen. The way they finished the season isn’t going to cut it against a team like San Antonio.

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