You know how a lot of teams have a “big three” which consists of their three best players? It’s such a common concept that it’s wormed its way into front offices, where suit-wearking executives feverishly scribble on whiteboards in conference rooms, trying to figure out ways to improve their team’s “big three” or ways to assemble a “big three” that is worthy of the “big three” moniker. If you don’t have a “big three”, you’re nothing in the NBA.
But the Memphis Grizzlies are like “FOH outta here with that garbage”. They’ve taken the concept of the “big three” and taken it to the next level. Actually, it’s not even the next level, it’s the level after the next level. They’ve taken it to the NEXT NEXT LEVEL. Because they have a BIG FIVE.
Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, Jae Crowder, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Jonas Valanciunas are the components of the ‘Zlies BIG FIVE. Now, some people might counter that every team has a “big five” which consists of their entire starting lineup, and I would counter-counter with the fact that you’re a dumbass if you think that. Most starting fives have clear role-players and clear stars. The ‘Zlies don’t quite have that. Morant is sort of a star, and Crowder might be on a tier below the rest of the guys, but overall, its a very egalitarian starting five. That’s what makes it a “big five”. Everybody eats.
I would go so far to say as this “big five” is way more entertaining than the “big three” of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley. They haven’t had as much success yet, but those days are coming. And if those winning seasons never materialize, the ‘Zlies know what they have to do.
That’s right. A BIG SIX.