NBA Rumors: Grizzlies Forward Warns Playoff Opponents Not To Take Them Lightly

The Memphis Grizzlies are currently at the eighth spot of the NBA Western Conference but are not yet fully assured of advancing to the next round. With 17 games left, Memphis needs to win as much as games possible to hold off teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and the Portland Trail Blazers. They are just four games ahead of these teams.

Right now, the Grizzlies are the only team that could be dislodged. However, that is the least of their concerns with some players already setting their sights on the next round. That includes Dillon Brooks who issued a fair warning that opponents should not take them lightly, Hoops Hype reported.

“We’re like that wildcard team. We feel like we’re underdogs this year. We’re playing free and we’re playing fast. We’re playing defense and we want to learn this stuff organically. We’ve got guys that work the same way as me. Our young guys work the same way. They want to feed off that. It’s a tribute to coming out every single day in practice and shooting and treatment and weights. We do it one hundred percent, which we always talk about,” Brooks said.

Those were big words for a team that could end up facing one of the top three teams in the Western Conference. But from the looks of it, they are on course to face the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers. Considering that they are a team most felt were on rebuilding mode, making the playoffs despite dealing away stars like Marc Gasol and Mike Conley is already an achievement of sorts.

A lot of credit goes to the young guys. Aside from Dillon, there is Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. But possibly against a team like the Lakers, pulling off a win or two would be fitting for them this season. As far as pulling the rug from under the surging Lakers squad, that could be wishful thinking.

For now, it would be best for Brooks and company to focus and win most of their remaining games. They are not safely out of the woods yet with teams bent on making the last push. The Pelicans are the ones making a serious run behind Brandon Ingram and phenomenal rookie Zion Williamson. Memphis would best settle the regular season first before thinking way ahead.