POWER RANKINGS: With or Without Ja Morant, The Grizzlies Are Going To Be A Problem
With Ja Morant, Memphis is really good. Without him, they're as good or better which is clear by their 19-2 record this season when he doesn't play. They are a team to watch in this week's Super 7.
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When it comes to the NBA numbers, there's no need to try and find one-size-fits-all metrics. Because whatever point you are trying to make, there's plenty of data for you to play with.
But there are some numbers that are just flat-out head-scratchers that make absolutely no sense at all.
Near the top of that list has to be the Memphis Grizzlies' record this season when Ja Morant doesn't play.
The third-year guard has been scintillating all season, playing a brand of basketball that's reminiscent of another lithe, high-scorer by the name of Allen Iverson.
You won't find a soul walking the face of this earth who thinks the Memphis Grizzlies are a better team without Morant in the lineup. And yet this season, the Grizzlies are 19-2 when he doesn't play.
The only two losses came to Portland and Dallas
Morant is without question their best player, so the idea of the Grizzlies struggling in his absence makes a lot of sense. But as good as he has been, there have been others who have stepped up their game all season.
So when he's not around, they have shown themselves to be extremely comfortable to the point where the expectation isn't to just compete when he's absent; but to win.
And it has worked all season, which is why they remain one of the top teams on this week's Super 7 countdown.
1. Phoenix (62-14)
Chris Paul is back and the Suns continue to steamroll their way through the Western Conference having already secured home court advantage throughout the playoffs, as well as having tied a franchise record for wins already, with 62.
2. Memphis (54-23)
Putting some distance between themselves and all other teams fighting for the No. 2 spot is huge, especially with the Grizzlies having the No. 1 strength of schedule for the remainder of this season.
3. Milwaukee (47-28)
About the only thing that's not working great for Giannis Antetokounmpo these days are those gawd-awful Dad jokes that are so bad that they're actually pretty good. On the court, he has the Bucks looking very much like a team built to get back to the NBA Finals and defend their NBA crown.
4. Dallas (48-29)
It's probably too little too late, but the Dallas surge towards the top of the Western Conference fueled by Luka Doncic's penchant for triple-doubles, won't be enough for him to make the kind of sizable dent to be a serious contender for the league's MVP award.
5. Miami (49-28)
Miami's Big Three of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Kyle Lowry are all starting to find their rhythm, while Tyler Herro's scoring punch off the bench continues to keep the Heat at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
6. Boston (47-30)
The loss of Robert Williams (torn meniscus, left knee) will keep him out for at least a month, which is good news for the Green Team all things considered. If they can manage to get to the second round or Eastern Conference finals without him, his return could be just what they need to get over the hump and get to the NBA Finals.
7. Philadelphia (46-29)
Don't be surprised if the Sixers find a way to leap-frog their way to the best record in the East, due to Philly having the softest schedule of any NBA team the rest of the regular season with their remaining opponents having a combined .404 winning percentage this season.
