Grizzly Bear Blues: for Memphis Grizzlies fans

IT'S PLAYOFF TIME!

Grizzlies. Lakers.

Parker Fleming has Harrison Faigen of SB Nation and SB Nation's Silver Screen Roll Lakers blog to talk about this first-round matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers.

- What stood out in the Lakers' post-deadline surge?

- Which role player from each team will be most crucial?

- Which role player from each team are we most "worried" about?

- The Dillon Brooks/LeBron James matchup

- How Jaren Jackson Jr/AD will decide the series

- How long will this series go?

Follow @sbngrizzlies, @GBBLive, @PAKA_FLOCKA, @hmfaigen.

Beats: Flemdawg1hunna, Graphics: Will Stone.

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Bryson Wright and Alex Winton are back this week and open with a conversation on the DPOY race. Evan Mobley has been gaining traction on Jaren Jackson Jr., so we decided to give a deeper dive into Jaren’s case. We also discuss the Grizzlies that could make All-NBA or All-defensive teams.

Next, we talk about Kenneth Lofton Jr. and his 42-point, 14-rebound game against the Thunder. Now that he has been added to a true NBA contract and is eligible for the postseason, how can he help the Grizzlies going forward? We also discuss the other players who could make an impact near the end of the bench in Ziaire Williams and David Roddy.

Finally, we discuss the play-in game and who we expect the Grizzlies to play in the first round. We discuss how the Lakers and Timberwolves can match up with the Grizzlies and how we would feel in either matchup. All that on more on this week's episode!

This week's Core Four covers the Steven Adams news, Kenny Lofton's contract, give their final NBA Title Contenders list, and end-of-season awards.

X's and O's: Steven Adams will reportedly miss the entire postseason. The guys discuss how the Grizzlies can fill the void left by the big Kiwi. Jaren Jackson has shown growth as a rebounder and now will have to prove it on the biggest stage. Can he overcome foul trouble that limited his effectiveness from last season?

Embrace Debate: Kenny Lofton Jr. has been signed to a new fully guaranteed contract. To make room for Junior, Kennedy Chandler had to be let go. Xavier believes Lofton has earned this contract but it could be an overreaction to the loss of Steven Adams. We didn't see much of Chandler this season but the door could be open for a return next year.

NBA Title Contenders Ranked by the College Football Playoff Committee: The guys go over their year-end aggregate top 10 based on their voting throughout the season. The top ten list has all the legitimate contenders....and the Hawks. This week's rankings are where the guys see the title landscape on the precipice of the postseason.

Trophy Case: Lizzo and Lovie Smith make an appearance in the regular season finale of the Trophy case. Xavier awards Kenny Lofton, Matt finds the thesis behind the Grizzlies' and Thunder's seasons, and Dave evaluates the Minnesota spiral

On this week’s episode, the Starting 5 began the show by discussing how the Grizzlies can operate knowing Steven Adams is likely out for the playoffs. With a first-round matchup with either the Los Angeles Lakers or Minnesota Timberwolves on the horizon, the Grizzlies cannot catch a break with the tough news cycle.

In the next segment, the Starting 5 discussed what their expectations are for rookie forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. After Kennedy Chandler was waived to create an additional roster spot, Junior was signed to the active roster following the news that Steven Adams is likely out for the playoffs.

Next, the Starting 5 predicted the NBA's play-in tournament winners. While Grizzlies fans are mostly focused on the Lakers-Timberwolves game, the guys predicted every play-in game including the final two that will determine the 8th seeds in each conference.

To close the show, the Starting 5 discussed their expectations of the Grizzlies for the entire postseason. Ja Morant said they are "fine" back in December before the injuries to Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke. Have their expectations adjusted or is it the same?

Follow @Starting5Mem, @DaOne_PShark, @_SKYLITO, @TheArtofTrevor, @ItsReallySheedy, @TevShakir, @sbngrizzlies, @BluffCity_Media

Beats: Tev Shakir, Graphics: Will Stone.

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Parker Fleming is joined by Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports -- also the author of 'Built To Lose: How the NBA’s Tanking Era Changed the League Forever’ -- to talk about the Grizzlies' aggressive at the trade deadline and how their postseason aspirations could trigger revisiting discussions, including OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. They also discuss Dillon Brooks' free agency into that equation, and the importance of his team. Finally, they close with how the Grizzlies are impacted by the new CBA.

Follow @sbngrizzlies, @GBBLive, @PAKA_FLOCKA, @JakeLFischer.

Beats: Flemdawg1hunna, Graphics: Will Stone.

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Parker Fleming has James Herbert of CBS Sports on the podcast to talk about Jaren Jackson Jr., his elite defensive versatility, and his Defensive Player of the Year case over Brook Lopez.

On this week’s episode, your hosts, Bryson Wright and Alex Winton, open by covering the Grizzlies' loss in Chicago. After blowing a 15-point halftime lead, how can the Grizzlies bounce back over the last week of the season?

Next, we discuss the upcoming questions for the last week of the season. How quickly can the Grizzlies lock up the 2nd seed, and should they rest players down the stretch? 2 wins and a Kings loss means the Grizzlies could have home court for at least the first two rounds.

Finally, we get to the biggest topic of discussion around the entire NBA right now, the Western Conference Play-in games. The Grizzlies will play the winner of the 7-8 matchup, which could include any of the teams between the 5th and 10th seeds. We also predict how the playoff bracket will look after this final week of the season.

Xavier, Dave, and Matt discuss Ja's shoe release, the Western Conference Playoff seeding, and their wishes for the Grizzlies' playoff run.

The much-anticipated release of Ja Morant's first signature Nike shoe has been delayed. Is this in response to his recent off-the-court issues? Nike has stood by other stars in the past amidst controversy but if he has fallen out of favor with Nike's biggest buyers, it could mean holding it off of shelves.

The Western Conference Playoff seeding race is heating up. Teams are fighting for those last few spots in the play-in while Memphis waits to find out their opponent for the first round. The biggest disappointment for the playoff stretch has been the spiraling Dallas Mavericks. One of the biggest surprises has been the teams potentially on Memphis' side of the bracket.

Ahead of the playoffs, the C4 boys give their wishlists for Memphis' postseason. Matt wants Jaren to shine, Dave asks for maturity and Xavier wishes for the Grizzlies to continue to be themselves.

To close out the show the guys dish out their hottest takes. Xavier thinks it's time the young talent in the league takes over. Dave is expecting some roster changes over the summer. Matt gives De'Aaron Fox his flowers.

In this week’s episode, the Starting 5 began the show by discussing what NBA award will most likely be won by a Memphis Grizzly. The choices were between Jaren Jackson Jr. winning Defensive Player of the Year, Talor Jenkins winning Coach of the Year, and Ja Morant making any of the three All-NBA teams.

In the next segment titled “Hustle Up” Memphis Hustle reporter, Parish Sharkey, gave an update on the Memphis Grizzlies G League affiliate. The Memphis Hustle season ended on Friday afternoon with a home playoff loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and P. Shark got a chance to interview Coach Jason March and Kenneth Lofton Jr. after the loss.

In the next segment, the Starting 5 discussed their key takeaways from the new 7-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the NBA and NBPA. Some new vital elements included an in-season tournament, 65 game minimum for players to be eligible to win awards, etc.

To close the Show, the Starting 5 predicted the Memphis Grizzlies' final regular season record and playoff seeding as the final week of the regular season is here. The Grizzlies are mostly locked into either the 2 or 3 seed.

Beats: Tev Shakir, Graphics: Will Stone.

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The Grizzlies matchup tonight against against the Clippers for a second time in three days, but will look much different lineup wise as some key players return to the court. Kawhi Leonard will also be back for the Clippers, so this is shaping out to be an exciting Friday night matchup in the Bluff City. We touch on bets including:

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