Fed Ex Forum was rocking like the Grand Ol' Opry Monday night in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, giving the Memphis Grizzlies a raucous home court advantage . At least we thought. Unfortunately for the upstart Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder played the most resilient brand of basketball that I've ever seen in the NBA, winning 133-123 in an Overtime thriller , tying the series 2-2. If the series goes a full 7 games, the Thunder will be hosting the deciding game 7 as well as Game 5, forcing Memphis to win at least one game on the road and one back home.
The first four games has been the most entertaining and even series yet, and both teams are making statements that they belong in the upper echelon of the league.A core group of young talent, PG Mike Conley, SG Tony Allen, C Mark Gasol, PF Zach Randolph, PF Darrell Arthur, SG O.J Mayo and PF/C Sam Young have made the previously unheard of Memphis Grizzlies look like a serious championship contender for years to come.
The consistency and ability of Randolph has been the most interesting story of the postseason. In previous years, Z-Bo was a nuisance and a uncommitted player who cared more about his own numbers and lacked any kind of discipline and growth as a player and human being. This year is different. A different Z-Bo has been the best and most consistent player in this years postseason, showing that the ladder was not his real identity. He has become a leader to a team of very young, raw, athletic, and skilled players and has taken the Memphis Grizzlies to heights the team has never reached. Randolph had 21 points and 21 rebounds in a dominating performance and win in Game 3. He continued to excel in game 4 with 34 points and 16 boards.
That didn't match OKC Guard Russell Westbrook and his Game 4 stat line. The incredibly talented guard out of UCLA put up 40 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds in the win. With the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated and the winner of the series facing Dallas, one of these teams will be in a Western Conference final after being perennial lottery pick recipients almost yearly. The time as championship contenders have arrived for both teams who have the luxury of up and coming players with loads of talent, such as Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka for OKC.
The young, great talent already mentioned for Memphis, deserves even more praise for accomplishing this without arguably their best player, Rudy Gay, who was injured throughout most of the regular season and all of the playoffs. This is an exciting and mesmerizing series that will surely have a great representative in the conference finals. I want Memphis in 7 games but more than likely, OKC will prove to be the better team and prevail in 6 games.
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