Official Memphis Grizzlies 2011-2012 Season Thread

[bhzmafia14]

Like I said before....we will be ok if the team can rally the way they did when Rudy went down last year, if Marc can continue to play like an allstar center and if Rudy can play the way he did last night. Team defense and post play is what makes this team great. Conley, TA and Rudy were all in the top 10-15 in steals last year and they rarely were on the court at the same time. 
If Speights start, Memphis will have the biggest frontcourt in the league (I think) at 6'8, 6'10 and 7'1. I do expect us to be even better defensively without Zbo, but his rebounding will be missed. The West is so flat this year and the Southwest division isn't as good as previous years. 4 out of 5 teams can win that division this year. The X Factor will be OJ. He HAS to make up for the scoring of Zach. He needs to average around 14+ppg from here on out. We have enough players to play the stretch 4 in Pondexter, Sam, Rudy and Dante. 

The team's motto is GritNGrind. They overcome adversity each and every game, so I expect them to keep on working hard. 

 

[pmatic]

I'm pretty sure the Nuggets have the tallest starting frontline in the NBA.

Anyone know when Haddadi is eligible to play?

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by PMatic

I'm pretty sure the Nuggets have the tallest starting frontline in the NBA.

Anyone know when Haddadi is eligible to play?

Forgot about them with Gallinari. 
He has to get his Visa from Canada before he plays. I haven't heard anything about him going to Canada yet. He should be ready no later than the end of the week though.

 

[pmatic]

Quality win vs the T'Wolves.

Treat returning.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Good win on the road. That was a nice test game for how the team can play through adversity. 
@UTAH on Friday. Hopefully Speights or at least Haddadi will be available. We are not going to be able to get away with not having size for too long.

 

[Mound Raised]

TA 100% from da field...marc was wat? 3/13
Great road win...well fought battle

 

[bhzmafia14]

Well....OJ went what? 0-6 in the 2nd half? The team kept running plays for him and he kept missing. Momentum swing when the team got a stop, OJ dribbled down the court for a layup and missed it which would've gave us the lead. Never got within 1 point after that. Rudy only took like 2 shots in the 2nd half. Some parts was because he wasn't aggressive enough and some because the coach didn't run any plays for him. OJ was guarding Josh Howard for most of the 4th and Sam should've just been in the game to replace OJ. If a guy is having a bad game, just take him out.
Grizz had this game in the bag. The Jazz were very predictable and the Grizz just couldn't hit shots when it mattered. I was hoping to win this game and so Grizz could at least finish 4-4 after their first 8. Now, the team must win @LAL on Sunday.

I just noticed Conley was 5-18. He had more shots than Rudy and Marc. Marc could've shot more than 15 times, but passed up a lot of shots. Rudy just wasn't aggressive enough getting the ball. 

 

[henz0]

I cannot for the life of me understand why Hollins insists on playing this slow %+@ style of basketball

.. With the youth + scorers & athletes on the team the Grizz should b 1 of the highest scoring teams in the league. Not at the bottom

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by henz0

I cannot for the life of me understand why Hollins insists on playing this slow %+@ style of basketball

.. With the youth + scorers & athletes on the team the Grizz should b 1 of the highest scoring teams in the league. Not at the bottom

Exactly. 
Hollins is still thinking Zbo is out there on the floor. He has to get out of the "pound it in the paint" mindset because that's not our style anymore. We are not about to win games slowing it down because we don't have the halfcourt offense for that. 

 

[IATT]

how did speights do?

i only saw bits and pieces of you guys' game.. and the box score obviously doesn't tell the whole story

 

[pmatic]

Originally Posted by itsaboutthattime

how did speights do?

i only saw bits and pieces of you guys' game.. and the box score obviously doesn't tell the whole story

He lives up to his rep shooting the ball every time he touches it.

He was outmatched trying to guard Bynum out there but at least he tried.

 

[bhzmafia14]

He played well for his 2nd game. Definitely going to help out with our scoring and lack of length. 
He started out 1-5, but ended up 4-8 by the end of the half. As long as he continues to hit that midrange jumper and rebound, I'm fine with him. 

If we are going to continue to play halfcourt style basketball, Speights needs to start alongside Marc. Of course, we can't do this until Haddadi gets back. With Cunningham out there, we really lack in the rebounding department. But, just like henzo said, we have to start running.

I call it Grit N' Shine. 

 

[bhzmafia14]

OKC tonight. This should be another good game. I do expect a W since we've lost 2 straight and I just don't see OKC beating us twice on our home floor. 
There are definitely some things that have to go right, though....

- defend the 3

- keep durant off the line as much as possible

- we need a guy to go big tonight (probably about 25pts)

- play our style...forcing turnovers, scoring in transition, etc

Being 3-5 doesn't seem bad being that we lost to @CHI (no Conley/Zbo), OKC (no Conley), @LAL and @SAS. Add in trying to get a new rotation together with the different injuries and trading for Speights. This team will get better, I'm just hoping for AT LEAST a split at home. 

 

[henz0]

#POOR

Get rid of Hollins & Rudy

 

[pmatic]

I miss Z-Bo.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by PMatic

I miss Z-Bo.

I wish we had Gerald Wallace. 

I think we need to work Rudy back into the flow from the bench. Its an unfortunate situation that he's shaking off 10 months of rust, but he has to do it while being the alpha dog when he's more suited as a #2. Not to mention, he's closing games out of position at PF where he's never been comfortable. I'm willing to give him time, but I think you bring him off the bench and start OJ, Pondexter or Sam for the time being. He probably won't feel as much pressure and Hollins can slowly work him back in.

I think its a win-win situation. You give OJ the ability to be that #2 option in the starting unit since it seems like he's got his confidence back. Conley, OJ, TA and Marc have played more minutes together in the past than Conley, TA, Rudy and Marc. I think it would PROBABLY help out. 

 

[henz0]

I'm trying to figure out what Hollins has against OJ & what does he like so much about Rudy??
&

no way Gay would accept coming off the bench

 

[bhzmafia14]

$$@! that!
Brandon Roy had to come off the bench after his injury and played 28 minutes a night. Roy was making big money, but he didn't demand to start when he got back on the court. Yea, its a different kinda injury, but I think that's how the Grizz need to bring Rudy back in. If he's not ready, he's just not ready. What he's going to do if Hollins puts him on the bench? Pout? Tony Allen would knock his %** out. 

 

If he understands why he's coming off the bench, he really shouldn't have a problem. I think he knows that he's struggling and just isn't quite ready for starting minutes right now. His shooting touch is wayyyy off. The guy is a career 46% FG shooter and 35% 3 point shooter, but he's shooting 42% and 20% right now. Maybe Hollins won't do it though since Rudy is the "franchise player". I think that's protecting Rudy from a lot of things in comparison to OJ.

I'm willing to give him time though. I don't think its time to start the slander bus, but I'll give him til the end of this month. 

 

[pmatic]

Please don't embarrass yourselves on national television tonight.

 

[jpzx]

The majority of front offices and coaches wouldn't have the balls to put a max contract player on the bench, despite what type of injury he's coming back from.

Roy's and Gay's situations are different. Gay is just shaking off the rust like you said, Roy's play and health was actually inhibited when he played a significant portion of the game.

 

[pmatic]

Not sure what to make of the Knicks, but a win is a win.

Rudy finally played well. It helped that he was being "guarded" by Melo.

Juice been hooping lately too.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Originally Posted by JPZx

The majority of front offices and coaches wouldn't have the balls to put a max contract player on the bench, despite what type of injury he's coming back from.

Roy's and Gay's situations are different. Gay is just shaking off the rust like you said, Roy's play and health was actually inhibited when he played a significant portion of the game.

Well, you have a point. Looks like Hollins wouldn't want have to do it anyway because Rudy looked like the old Rudy tonight. 

Great game for Rudy to come out of his slump in. It was reported he had a minor hip injury from the last game and it was good to see him play through it. 

How about Marc Gasol? I think he's destined to make the ASG this year (coaches vote, of course). Another double-double tonight (10pts, 12boards), 4blks and 5 asts. This is a good chance to go on in a mini win streak. Hornets on Saturday without Eric Gordon. Come out with the same intensity and it should be a W. That would make the Chicago game huge to get back at .500.

 

[you big dummy]

ESPN

Memphis looked good tonight, Rudy Gay needs to step up like this every night.

 

[bhzmafia14]

Good W tonight even though we let them back in the game.
Marc with another day on the clock. 20pts, 11rebs, 3asts, 2blks. 

What do y'all think about the OJ trade rumors with the Nets? There were two deals being reported. 1) OJ for Morrow and a pick and 2) Farmer, pick and cash. 

 I like the Morrow deal, especially if its a 1st rounder. He's a pure shooter and would definitely fill that need better than OJ for this team. It would be nice to have the first 3 point specialist on the team since Mike Miller. 

 He's shooting 46% from downtown this year as well. 

 

[pmatic]

All for it considering the team likely won't be able to re-sign Juice this summer.

I'd like to welcome Greasy to the Kyle Lowry Club.