The Grizzlies could be trouble for the Lakers if LA survives the play-in vs. the Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers will be facing a very depleted Minnesota Timberwolves team in the play-in tournament, which has many people believing that a first round series between the Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies is inevitable. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith recently spoke on the potential series, warning Los Angeles and the NBA world about these Grizzlies:
“The Lakers could end up home in the first round. Let's just call it what it is. We want to applaud the Lakers for what they have done this year. They've got a chance. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that they don’t have a chance, they got LeBron James... Anthony Davis showed up, we know what he's capable of when he's on the basketball court. And since the trade that ultimately led to [the Lakers] acquiring [Malik] Beasley and D’Angelo Russell and [Jarred] Vanderbilt and these guys, they’re the best team in the Western Conference at 18-9 since that trade… But we're talking about the Memphis Grizzlies here. I'll admit there's a cause to pause because Steven Adams is going to be out, Brandon Clarke is going to be out... but last time I checked, they got Ja Morant, and this brother is something special. And he’s on a mission... I look at [Desmond] Bane. I look at Dillon Brooks. I look at Ja Morant. I look at Jaren Jackson Jr.… If [Jackson] can find a way to get himself out of foul trouble, then let me be very very clear to you, America - Memphis is no joke."
Stephen A. Smith is very confident in the Grizzlies, and while he cannot rule the Lakers out, he believes Memphis has what it takes to send LA home in the first round.