It's time for Nashville to pay attention to the Memphis Grizzlies. Here are 9 reasons why

The Memphis Grizzlies are the No. 2 seed in the NBA's Western Conference heading into the start of the NBA playoffs on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).

Memphis begins its playoff run with a first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum.

It's time for Nashville to embrace the state's NBA team. Here are some reasons why.

1. Ja Morant

The Grizzlies' point guard the preeminent young star in the NBA, and he hones his craft three hours away from Nashville. What else do you need?

2. Ja Morant!

More? Morant made the leap this season from 19.4 points per game in his sophomore season to 27.4 points per game in 2021-22. His Player Efficiency Rating is up to ninth in the league. He is a walking highlight reel with his daring drives and dunks — and a wild shot made every now and then. He is the centerpiece of the league's second-best record this season, and he's so fun to watch.

3. The West is set up for the Grizzlies to make a deep playoff run

Golden State does not know when it will have Stephen Curry available after the superstar guard injured his knee during the regular season. Phoenix is the best team in the NBA, but it is one Chris Paul playoff injury away from being mortal. Denver and Utah are very flawed. Dallas its own star in Luka Doncic, but not too much around him. 

The point: As long as Morant is healthy, the Grizzlies will have a fighting chance against every team in the West.

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4. It may remind you of another professional team in Tennessee

The Grizzlies have rarely been fully healthy, and it has not impacted their results one bit. Morant was out with a knee injury in March and April; the Grizzlies were 7-2 in that stretch.

Much like the Tennessee Titans, the Grizzlies have built an unassuming young and exciting roster that has incrementally gotten better. Memphis went from 22 wins in 2017-18 to 33 in 2018-19 before hovering close to .500 in Morant's rookie season. And in the last two seasons, the Grizzlies have earned postseason berths.

5. Jaren Jackson Jr. may be the best defender in the NBA

Jaren Jackson Jr. leads the league in blocks (177) and is 10th in defensive win shares and defensive rating this season, but those are just numbers without context. Memphis' record jumped in November and December as Jackson became one of the top rim protectors in the league. It continued throughout the rest of the season, and Jackson is on the shortlist for the league's Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Jackson still fouls too much for a top defensive player (22 games this season with five or more fouls, which leads the league). But his value on both sides of the floor has been critical to the Grizzlies' success.

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6. Like Titans and Predators, Grizzlies aren't going to be focal point of NBA 

Ja Morant may eventually change the amount of national buzz around the Grizzlies. But at the moment, ESPN shows aren't leading with the Grizzlies like the West's No. 1 seed (Phoenix), No. 3 seed (Golden State) or even the postseason-less Lakers. And look at NBA playoffs betting odds — the Grizzlies have the third-best odds to win the West and the seventh-best odds to win the title despite the second-best record in the NBA. Respect will be earned, but it's not to where it should be yet. Sound familiar?

7. The Grizzlies talk and talk, and they back it up

Dillon Brooks and Morant are not afraid to chirp opposing players before, during and after winning games. The most recent public feud involved Brooks and former Grizzlies roster spot filler Andre Iguodala, who decided two seasons ago that he was disinterested in being a part of the Grizzlies' rebuild.

Iguodala, back in Golden State where he won multiple titles and a NBA Finals MVP, reportedly threatened to sit out of the final months of the 2019-20 season if he was not traded from the Grizzlies. His disdain for seeing it through in Memphis was noted by Morant and Brooks, and Brooks displayed his irritation in February 2020 and again in March after a Grizzlies win against the Warriors.

"We all had the vision and he didn’t, which is perfect," Brooks said of Iguodala. "Send him back to the Warriors and let him do his thing over there."

8. They are only going to get better

The Grizzlies' top eight scorers are all 26 years old or younger, including Morant (22), Jackson Jr. (22), Desmond Bane (23) and Brooks (26). The Grizzlies can continue to cultivate their young core or trade for a second star to pair with Morant. Maybe Jackson Jr. or Bane will end up being that championship-level No. 2 option.

9. Once more, Ja Morant

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