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

[jpzx]

Ever since the Mayo/Love debacle, I've loved when Minnesota and Memphis match up.

Gomes and Flynn playing extremely well so far.

 

[jpzx]

Key three there for Gomes. Cut it to one.

Lets get our third.

 

[jpzx]

Wow Sessions...

 

[bhzmafia14]

hold this lead grizz

After two 5-game road trips out of 20 games, only 7 games at home, being the youngest team in the league and the A.I. saga, I can say that I'm pleased withthe way Memphis has played. The only games I was extremely disappointed in was the Clippers comeback win and a few of those road losses against the Kings andthe other Clippers game.

If Memphis can beat Dallas tonight and be 8-12 through their first 20 games, that will definitely be an improvement because the team continually looks good dayafter day.

They went 2-8 in their first ten and can be 6-4 with a win tonight in their second ten.

7 of the next 10 games will be at home where the Grizz play pretty well at.

 

[henz0]

 

[bhzmafia14]

tonight should definitely be a fun game. both teams are playing well and memphis is 6-3 at home, while cleveland is the winner of 4 straight.

 

[memphisboi55]

Too Easy.

 

[i nasmatic i]

http://www.youtube.com/v/LcAdMSCH-HM?f=videos&app=youtube_gdatahttp://www.youtube.com/v/LcAdMSCH-HM?f=videos&app=youtube_gdata

I will happily say ZBo has proven me wrong thus far.

 

[i nasmatic i]

From today's Daily Dime:

By hook or by crook, the Grizzlies are starting to come together. I know. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't seeing it with my own eyes. But after downing the Cavs in an all-out battle Tuesday night, the Grizzlies have now won three in a row and eight of their last 12, with wins over Portland, Dallas, and Cleveland in that stretch. What's more, the wins aren't coming from inconsistent, high octane offense or a random spectacular series of games from a star. Instead, these Grizzlies are hitting teams with a different attack each night.
They are, unbelievably enough, playing like a team, and surprising their opponents with their effort. And the surprises come from a wide range of sources.

Take Mike Conley, who most people had written off after a terrible start to this season. In the last three games, Conley has nearly doubled his points per game and only has five turnovers. Throw on top of that tonight's game-winning layup in overtime, dribble-hesitating to freeze Shaquille O'Neal (don't worry, Shaq will catch up on that pick-and-roll defense any day), and then bursting past for the win. This is a guy who the Grizzlies were so uncertain of that they brought in Jamaal Tinsley to put pressure on him. And finally the young point guard looks to be responding.

Or how about Zach Randolph? Constantly derided for his off-court antics and on-floor decision making, Randolph has been a rock for this squad. He was averaging just below the vaunted 20 and 10 mark coming into Tuesday night's 32-point, 14-rebound performance. But we knew he'd get the numbers. What we didn't know is how well he'd work in the flow of the offense with all these young guns, and how much of a floor leader he'd become. I was as much a preseason skeptic as anyone about Randolph being able to change his rather large stripes, but you could not ask for more from Randolph so far this season.

Then you've got O.J. "OJAM" Mayo. Mayo is starting to come into his own as the type of difference maker that the Grizzlies need. Tonight Mayo was lights out, blistering the Cavs from the inside and out, racking up 28 points on only 18 shots, with five rebounds and five assists. His progression has been phenomenal in learning how to run the offense. Mayo has become the trigger man for the Grizzlies, with his assists rising as the team comes together. Mayo was crucial down the stretch, nailing a huge three off a pinch post with Marc Gasol that gave the Grizzlies the lead late in overtime.

Maybe most impressive about tonight's Grizzlies win was that they did it without an impressive night from Gasol, who has been the Grizzlies' MVP this season. Gasol came into Tuesday 26th in PERs. Even on what was a tough night against a physical Cavs team, Gasol made his impact with two key buckets late on hook shots, along with eight rebounds and four assists. His all-around game is reminiscent of a nastier version of his All-Star brother, complete with manbeard.

The Grizzlies have been nothing but a punchline for the past two seasons, most often referenced as "that team that gave the Lakers Pau Gasol for nothing." But with a strong young nucleus coming into its own and Randolph providing, gulp, veteran leadership, the Grizzlies may be turning into a team you can no longer consider a speed bump. Now, about drafting Hasheem Thabeet ...

 

[bhzmafia14]

i'm definitely proud of this team. everyone doubted them and they continue to doubt them. its still early in the season, but its good to see them turningthe corner and winning close games. this reminds me of the 2004-05 season when the grizz started 8-12 and made the playoffs.

ok, maybe im getting ahead of myself.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Looking back at the 2003-04 season where the Grizz won 45 games, they were 9-15 in their first 24 games. It looking more and more like Memphis could be put inthe same situation due to talent of this team. They were also 9-15 last season at this time with a less talented team.

Memphis is 10-14 right now this season and got Atlanta Wednesday which I think will be a win honestly.

 

[henz0]

They need to make that switch at the end of games to thabeet over zach.. You know its gonna be Rudy or oJ with the last shot so he doesnt need to be in

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by henz0

They need to make that switch at the end of games to thabeet over zach.. You know its gonna be Rudy or oJ with the last shot so he doesnt need to be in

Thabeet was giving up alot of 2nd chance points too during the game. He played good, but he's going to have to box out a little better. The Hawks alwaysgive us problems due to their athleticism. Memphis has the firepower to match them though.

 

[bangdak]

^i dont think so, although that can be an possibility. i dont see the grizz being able to stop the hawks backcourt in bibby, JJ+jamal.


im still interested in seeing if Thabeet can play the starting 5 and move gasol to the 4.
defensively and offensively, it'll work well.


time to trade conley+gay while their value is high? more draft picks?

3 First round draft picks+1 more (imagine lottery,

) this teams future is bright, but dont cream your pants yet bhz

 

[i nasmatic i]

Originally Posted by BangDak

^i dont think so, although that can be an possibility. i dont see the grizz being able to stop the hawks backcourt in bibby, JJ+jamal.


im still interested in seeing if Thabeet can play the starting 5 and move gasol to the 4.
defensively and offensively, it'll work well.


time to trade conley+gay while their value is high? more draft picks?

3 First round draft picks+1 more (imagine lottery,

) this teams future is bright, but dont cream your pants yet bhz

Nah, Gay is staying through the end of the season. Conley will be shipped in the right situation for the right player.

 

[bangdak]

Understandable since Memphis loves Rudy, but i dont see why they cant a chance at Young starting at SF?
he might not be able to take such an huge role, but im sure with experience he MIGHT succeed.

 

[i nasmatic i]

The team needs another shooter and defender to be a legit playoff team. It would help if that player was a vet too. Maybe another team can be suckered intotaking Steven Hunter's expiring contract, Hamed Haddadi and/or the two late first round picks.

Young is a reliable back swingman, but he's a rookie and it be asking too much from him at this point.

 

[bangdak]

i feel you on him not being able to produce being an starter which was why i put an might, but when you're building for the future, the yougins gettin PTwould never hurt.
ill take haddadi+2 late first round picks for lee+jefferies+nate

buckets would fit great in memphis, thinking about it..

 

[i nasmatic i]

Originally Posted by BangDak

i feel you on him not being able to produce being an starter which was why i put an might, but when you're building for the future, the yougins gettin PT would never hurt.
ill take haddadi+2 late first round picks for lee+jefferies+nate

buckets would fit great in memphis, thinking about it..

BLOCKED!

 

[friscostylez]

What do you guys think about a trade of Bayless for Conley? A back court of Bayless and OJ seems intriguing, this can show whether or not OJ can play the 1 inthe league

 

[memphisboi55]

Enh... idk..

 

[henz0]

Bayless & OJ would be

 

[memphisboi55]

It would, but i'm actually starting to like Conley.

 

[DsLee]

Grizzlies are going to be solid even if trades don't happen, the team is real fun to watch. If/When they get their D together, things are gonna get realserious...

 

[bhzmafia14]

alot of people forgetting that we still haave artur coming backwho showed improvements in summer league. Bringing him back along with wafer would instantlyimprove our bench. Then we could make a deal to bring in another defender who can shoot. Memphis only made one 3 pointer against boston and the celtics madenine.