::MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES SEASON THREAD: Grizzlies Waiting Before Offering Z-Bo Extension::

[henz0]

@ Gasol playing soft now

 

[dipsetgeneral]

Z-Bo made the All-Star team before?!?

 

[big j 33]

Wallace with the sick block on OJ

 

[henz0]

Wow

 

[big j 33]

And then OJ hits the 3

Also, the color commentator for the Grizzlies sucks

 

[henz0]

OJ

 

[al3xis]

Please win.

 

[big j 33]

Z-Bo should learn how to box out... he continues to mess up the Knicks even when he's not on the team

 

[henz0]

smh

 

[memphisboi55]

 

[henz0]

Like I said about 10 games ago, at the end of games zach should not be in on defense.

 

[bhzmafia14]

lmao zbo trying to get revenge on the knicks.

smh @ that boxout.

the opponent always go at carroll at the end of games. We shouldve had hunter in on that play.

 

[DsLee]

WOW... It's all good because the Clippers and TWolves, the Grizz HAS to get those W's...

 

[bhzmafia14]

I wonder how long the Grizz have been waiting on this game ever since that loss in LA.

 

[i nasmatic i]

Grizzlies' reserves a drag on team's playoff aspirations

Jamaal Tinsley hoisted all of the extra shots he deemed necessary after practice when he grabbed a basketball and went unconventional with an attempt to make baskets.The veteran point guard playfully tried over and over to catapult the ball into the rim off his bald head.
Tinsley missed every time. But the reserve could be on to something.

Memphis' bench players might want to try and score by any means necessary, given their combined offensive ineffectiveness this season. The Grizzlies' reserves haven't provided much offensive firepower to the team's success this season.

There is growing concern that little-to-no bang off the bench could hold back a Grizzlies team that has postseason aspirations. Memphis entered Monday's NBA action just two games out of the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff standings.

Their opponent tonight -- the Los Angeles Clippers -- is one of five other teams competing with the Griz for the final two postseason bids. It's difficult to argue that any of those teams rely on its bench less than Memphis does.

The Griz have made it no secret that they are actively looking for ways to improve their bench through trade.

"It's tough," Griz coach Lionel Hollins said. "It's hard to get consistency and know what they're going to do from game to game."

Memphis' reserves have averaged 20.3 points this season while opponents' benches average 33.3. The Grizzlies' bench outscored its counterparts just six times, meaning it's been rare when the reserves provided significant support for the starters or could be credited for winning a game.

Hollins has enjoyed a starting group that's accounted for roughly 80 percent of the team's average scoring. Upholding that rate and keeping the Grizzlies' winning pace might be compromised by wear and tear if their reserves don't shift into a smooth gear.

Zach Randolph barely spoke above a whisper following Monday's practice. He's trying to recover from a cold that's weakened his voice.

Marc Gasol and Mike Conley weren't even in sight. The Grizzlies' starting center and point guard were instead hanging out in the trainer's room to receive treatment for a bum shoulder and bad back, respectively.

"It'll be more important as we get past the dog days in late February and early March," Hollins said of the need for more bench productivity. "They've played well. It's just hard to play a whole group when you don't have enough offensive players in that group. You still have to score to maintain in the NBA. But it's not like they haven't played well."

Tinsley, and rookies Sam Young and Hasheem Thabeet have given the Grizzlies a lift on separate occasions. But they struggle mightily with chemistry and consistency as a unit.

Young leads the reserves with 8.1 points per game. From there, the drop-off is significant. Marcus Williams is the second-leading bench scorer (4.0 ppg.) and the third-string point guard isn't even a consistent member of the rotation.

Tinsley's 36-percent shooting in 17 minutes has been a disappointment. Hollins has been reluctant to use first-round draft pick DeMarre Carroll because he's mostly been an offensive liability along the perimeter.

Thabeet, the No. 2 overall pick, wasn't selected to bolster the offense. But even his performances have been random. He's had games when his shot-blocking or shot-altering were major factors. There have been times, too, when Hollins substituted for Thabeet after a minute because of his overall inactivity.

"We're trying to keep the same energy when we get in," Thabeet said. "We have a lot of young guys on the bench, and we're trying to get better. Sometimes matchups are a problem, but we're trying to produce as much as we can. I think we know we have to pick it up."

Often lost in the conversation pertaining to the Grizzlies' lack of depth is that they rely mostly on rookies in Thabeet, Young and Carroll. Tinsley is the only experienced reserve averaging more than 10 minutes.

The Grizzlies claimed guard Lester Hudson off waivers last week in hopes of adding more offense in reserve. Hudson, a Memphis native, was a prolific scorer in college and might emerge as a scoring option off the bench once he learns the Grizzlies' schemes.

But he's another rookie.

"Sometimes it's difficult because (the rookies) don't know the spots to get in," Tinsley said. "But I'm used to leading. Some games are better than others. It's hard sometimes. But I think we're deep enough."

Until and if the Griz make another roster move, color Hollins a bit skeptical.

He's not alone, either.

"I'm pleased with almost everything about the team," Griz owner Michael Heisley said. "Are there things that need improvement on this team? Absolutely. I talk to Chris (Wallace, general manager) two times a day about it. We're trying very hard to get better every day."

 

[h3at23]

bhzmafia14 , this has to be you from the chad ford chat:

[h6]Keyan (Memphis)[/h6]


Memphis gets no respect in the NBA can we at least get one question answered here Chad? Who is the "Real" team of the future between the Thunderand the Grizz. I see the Grizz having better overall talent and MUCH better big guys. Durant is great, and there are some nice pieces there but Gasol, Randolphand Thabeet to go along with OJ, Rudy, Young and Conley? We are better right?
[h6]Chad Ford[/h6]
[h6] (1:41 PM)[/h6]



Durant is a superstar. Russell Westbrook is the second best player on either squad. After that Grizz have a nice run with OJ, Gay (if the Grizzlies re-signhim), Conley and Gasol. But I'd take two great players and a great organization over a bunch of good players and a very questionable organization. So yeah,I like the Thunders future better. But I get your point. Grizzlies have a lot of potential if Michael Heisley doesn't mess it up.

 

[bhzmafia14]

I'm not a damn Keyan

. I told Nas it had to be somebody from theGrizz boards. I probably would've been asking the same question if I really went inside his chats.

 

[henz0]

8 of the 104 points from the bench

The bench plays excellent D, they just need 1 player besides young who can score.


I like how OJ & Rudy are gettin along now

 

[i nasmatic i]

Dope pic

.

 

[bhzmafia14]

I like how OJ did a better job defending Baron Davis than Conley did. It shows that he should be defending PG's more than SG's.

 

[memphisboi55]

WE THE BEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSTTT!

 

[i nasmatic i]

Game vs the T'Wolves just started.

 

[mourf83]

Lets Go Grizz

 

[bhzmafia14]

@ Hollins have all the starters out of the game.

 

[hood17]

Big Al with 21pts in the first half.

Rambis yelling at Pecherov