NBA Playoffs 2017: Power ranking the first round matchups
By John Buhler
7. No. 2 San Antonio Spurs (61-21) vs. No. 7 Memphis Grizzlies (43-39)
From a pure basketball standpoint, this is not a bad series. However, the No. 2 vs. No. 7 Western Conference playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs (61-21) and the Memphis Grizzlies (43-39) in no way resonates nationally.
These are two solid Southwest Division rivals going head-to-head. The upset potential in this series is better than average. Memphis matches up with San Antonio very well with their physical brand of slow-paced basketball. San Antonio is an outstanding team away from home, meaning the Spurs can drop a game at the AT&T Center and then pick up a win at the FedEx Forum likes it’s no big deal.
If Memphis power forward Zach Randolph was a little bit younger, he would be the must-see player on the court. His great low-post play and brashness on the hardwood has created a cult following in Memphis. The problem is that he is 35-years old and the best player on the court in this series (Kawhi) doesn’t talk.
We’re not going to get a ton of insight in a Kawhi Leonard post-game press conference. Then again, we’re probably only going to get like four words from Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the first quarter interview. However, those four words will resonate with us more than this small-market Southwest Division rivalry series.
Leonard should be the difference in this first-round series. His Spurs should be able to win in six games. However if FedEx Forum uses the Tony Allen pepper grinders like Grit N’ Grind faithful should, they’ll be grinding in Memphis with their feet 10 off of Beale Street. The taste of Memphis victory is 100 percent pepper. Otherwise, it will be Go Spurs Go! down by the Alamo.
Game 1 between the Spurs and the Grizzlies will be at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 15. ESPN will have the national telecast from AT&T Center in San Antonio.