Basketball Nonsense

Heading into the 09-10 season, people don’t really expect that much with the Memphis Grizzlies, even if Allen Iverson comes on board.

The Memphis Grizzlies has been a struggling team for most part of this decade and although they got talent, it’s always been overshadowed by youth (and being part of the Western Conference). With AI on the team this coming November, the Grizz would increase their ticket sales, become more popular and maybe get more wins. Ok enough talking, let’s break things down into pieces.

LAST SEASON STARS

The Grizzlies start the parade of their young squad with guys namely Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and OJ Mayo. Those three players averaged 80 games played  last season which is a superb thing. The problem that goes with it is that they still lost a ton of games even they are playing together. Gay and Mayo are both good scorers, but they have to prove that they are more than just that. The Grizz also turns the ball over a lot (with Mayo, Conley and Gay leading the way!) and they can’t win much games either if they still do the same. What I look forward to them next season is the balance and fluidity both in offense, consistency and defense.

NEW ACQUISITIONS (RANDOLPH AND A.I.)

If talent is the concern, I don’t have problem with it. But to see Iverson and Z-Bo together in same team is just a pain in the ass. Z-Bo played his last two seasons with scoring guards (Baron Davis and Stephon Marbury) and he was still able to deliver the goods 20 and 10 a game. But when talking about Randolph, the usual stuffs goes around his off and on court behavior. Hope he improves this time.

Allen Iverson had a great meeting with the Grizz top brass, GM and head coach Lionel Hollins. Allen Iverson has been saying always that “he would do whatever it takes to win” but that never really translates when in court. I really doubt it’s just fine with AI not to play his usual 40-48 minutes a game and vice versa with the Grizz who’s just expecting him to be in a backup role. It can really become as ugly as what we could imagine if both parties don’t go well with it.

OTHER PIECES

Hasheem Thabeet was pronounced by many as a draft bust and I am one of them. Thabeet is too raw, young and can’t just seem to even get past summer league players. Good thing is that Marc Gasol is there. Gasol is a traditional big man who loves to post up, alter shots and hustles for the loose ball. He can easily win the starting nod over the rookie Thabeet. With regards to other pieces on the team, I seriously don’t know what to say with their other players.

VERDICT

The Memphis Grizzlies SHOULD improve this year. They would yield better popularity, and hopefully it would translate into good number of  wins (based on their standards I must say!). Well if you look at their lineup, the starting 5 is a high scoring, not-much passing lineup while the bench is a mixture of ‘not-so known, not-so skilled, defensive’ squad so its really hard to imagine if Memphis can really make a reasonable climb to where they are last season. And yes we’re not yet talking about controversies and issues that may arise during the season. Regardless, I can say I would watch more Memphis games this season to better understand things (and prove myself wrong).

Related posts:

1. Allen Iverson to Memphis!
2. NBA Trade Rumor: Ronnie Brewer To The Grizzlies
3. Mayo scores 25 to lead Grizzlies over Suns 128-103 (AP)
4. Where Do You Want to See AI?
5. Clippers Sends Randolph To Grizz