All you negative nellies need to show some GRIT... maybe some Grind

[seshomoru]

cuz the Grizz still have the best record in the Association at 10-2 after sleepwalking through a home win over the Cavs. On his draft day, I couldn't have imagined Mike Conley would be this important to the Grizz, but damn they looked out of sync without him. At least Gasol, Randolph, and Gay ended up with decent nights, and more importantly a good fourth quarter. But honestly... Mike "LOOK AT HOW LOW HE DRIBBLES WITH QUICKNESS (tm Billy Packer) Conley is officially one of the best point guards in the league.

And while I'm off topic (read: not freaking out over whether we're a good 8-4, a bad 8-4, Mullen should be fired, given a raise, or Tyler Russell is a paradox of school records and worst qb ever), the Grizz have officially arrived. Know why? The Lakers were in town the Friday after Thanksgiving and there were precious few purple shirts in the arena. They've also got celeb fans now. Timberlake was there. And if you don't care Timberlake was there, might it interest you that Jessica Biel was also in attendance?

My pre-season dream prediction is probably gonna come true. 73 wins is a possibility if they break out of this 10-2 slump to start the season.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Remember when Conley's contract was called the worst in NBA history?

Now it's considered one of the best deals in the league. And Pera is bringing the wood. There's a lot to,like about the Grizzlies this year. ESPN has had them at #1 for two weeks now.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

The bench is what is makin the difference. Grizzlies always had decent talent but no depth. Now they have a great second team and it shows.

 

[seshomoru]

The biggest difference is a true back up PG

I don't even think Bayless is that good, but at the very least he gives you a competent ball handler. I don't sense the ability to calm a team down and get them back into the flow of the offense like Conley can do, but he's not the turnover machine OJ was. Of course, that's not really his fault since he's pretty much just a shooting guard. I liked him as an offensive sub for Allen with the starters, but he was inept when running point. It didn't help that Selby didn't do anything (and still hasn't) that warranted giving him minutes. I do think Bayless will get much better as the year goes on and he has more minutes with the offense. The benefits of little roster turnover are showing, and when Bayless and Ellington really start fitting in, the bench is going to be even better.

 

[seshomoru]

There really isn't a bad contract on the entire roster.

The three big contracts are Rudy, Zbo, and Marc. All completely worth it for what they do on the floor as well as the other intangible stuff. Zbo and Marc are priceless and Rudy is finally starting to show what has been expected of him all along. Maybe it's that he senses they really can win a title. Maybe it was the crushing series against the Clips. Maybe it was not making the Olympic team. He just seems to finally have that chip on his shoulder.

Then you've got Conley at $7mil, and you're right, it might be the best deal in the NBA. Everybody else is around $3mil or less. Q is "only" making $1.2mil. They are more than getting their money's worth out of him. The best part may be that the big four are locked up through the 2014/15 season. Allen is the only starter that isn't, and his contract is up this year. I have no doubts he'll get a little bump and stick around. The rest of the bench except for Selby, Haddadi, and Ellington are signed through next year.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

The question will be is the ownership willing to spend and keep it together. Currently the Grizzlies are going to be over the luxury tax line. That may predicate what moves are made in the offseason. I think Mo Speights is only a one year deal so he comes off the books.

 

[Seinfeld]

Actually, it looks like big Mo is on the books through 2014 according to Hoopshype. That guy cracks me up. If you ever pay attention to his facial expressions, he can put on a few "I will 17 you up" grimaces on in just about every game.

Other than Allen's contract ending after this season, it looks like the Grizz will have to make a trade or two if they want to shed salaries. You'd like to think that they could move one of their lower to mid-tier guys for a draft pick, but you may as well trade them for nothing if you're going to do that. For all the diamonds in the rough that Wallace has found via trade or the free agent market, the guy flat out blows at drafting. Yeah, I know Heisley had a lot to do with that but seriously... The Grizz have one home grown draft pick(Conley) on their entire 2-deep roster.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Hmm I could have sworn he was a one year. Yeah I agree they will have to do something after the season to get under the tax.

 

[Predestined]

Frank Burns?

Nertz to you!

 

[seshomoru]

The easiest way to get under the cap...

trading Rudy, has become a much more difficult decision with the way they are playing.