New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Teams to monitor entering the 2021 season

A budding divisional rivalry between the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans makes the Grizzlies a team for all of next season

#2- Memphis Grizzlies

Without question, some of my favorite games from last season were when the Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the New Orleans Pelicans. Even in the NBA bubble, these two teams played a phenomenal and competitive game against one another despite what the score might suggest.

I feel like last year was indicative of what’s coming from these two teams for many years, and including this upcoming season. That’s just what happens when two teams with talented young stars play in the same division.

The games grow competitive quickly, and the familiarity of these opponents makes it each time they see each other more personal. I guess it also doesn’t help that these two teams feature the top two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft who have known each other since grade school too, huh?

Yeah, I went there. The Ja Morant-Zion Williamson rivalry within a rivalry also makes this matchup even more amazing to watch because sometimes fans can find themselves watching two games. One being the actual teams and the other being scoring who’s playing better Morant or Williamson.

When we then factor in how much additional young talent both teams have added this offseason it’s safe to say that both of these squads are competing for who gets to claim the second spot in the Southwest behind the elite Dallas Mavericks.

Given that competitive level and the fact that every game these two teams play could have postseason implications since they’re in the same division, the Memphis Grizzlies should have the eyes of Pelicans fans all season long

And here’s one more bonus team for you too that takes a little bit of a different perspective.