It's Calethes time!
- Thread starter Optimus Prime 4
- Start date
I almost turned the game off when the "foul" was called on James Johnson on LeBron's 3. Glad I didn't. It's always hard watching a small market team play the Heat though.
Pretty clear cut from here out. Win out and we should be in, drop one and we're probably out. Here's hoping either the Mavs or the Suns fall on their faces over the next week.
Pretty clear cut from here out. Win out and we should be in, drop one and we're probably out. Here's hoping either the Mavs or the Suns fall on their faces over the next week.
It's a shame that they're in this position. There is no reason for a team full of vets like this one to start out 10-15 or to drop the countless games at home to weak opponents like they did this year, but it is what it is at this point. Somewhere, Lionel is grinning
While no one can argue with the fact that we wouldn't be in this position had we not started off so slow, you can't really fault anyone for it. It was inevitable with Joerger learning the ropes as a head coach, and so many newcomers arriving who needed time to gel. Not to mention losing one of our top two most important players in Gasol for most of the first half of the season. And while playing down to weaker teams is concerning, it's nothing new; Hollins's teams tended to as well.
If they can just take care of business and at least make the playoffs I'll be happy, and we should be back on track for next year.
If they can just take care of business and at least make the playoffs I'll be happy, and we should be back on track for next year.
The problem early was that Joerger was dead-set on putting his stamp on the team - he wanted them to play faster. They struggled with that right out of the gate, and Joerger saw that he shouldn't be trying to fix what wasn't broken. On a couple of separate occasions this year, the Grizzlies really started to get into a groove and play well, but then they would have a poorly-timed injury.
That said, the way they have played over the last couple of weeks is beyond inexcusable. They absolutely deserve fault for some of the ugly losses they've had of late - there's no excuse for it. There is way too much talent on this team for that to happen.
If Gasol hadn't gotten hurt they'd be a 4 or 5 seed. I think they'll be the first team ever to win 49 games or so and not make the playoffs. Only 3 have ever won 45 and not made it, so any other year this record would be in. I will say I like Lee, and Calathes and Conley play well together.
I agree
While the last few weeks have been inexcusable, injuries have absolutely killed this team
While the last few weeks have been inexcusable, injuries have absolutely killed this team
Not arguing anything that you or any other poster has said so far, but it's hard for me to blame losing 3 games(nearly 4) to the Pelicans this season on injuries and coaching changes. That just shouldn't happen when the core of your franchise is made up of grizzled vets like Prince, Zbo, Mark, Conley, and Allen. Should have been able to beat that team in our sleep...
So I guess my point and frustration from this season is that no matter what legitimate excuses we've had this year, there have still just been too many inexplicable losses that should never happen and now we're paying for it. Dropping a couple every now and then is understandable. Nearly getting swept during the season by the Pelicans is not.
I really do hope that they get back on track next year, though, because I have a bad feeling that the core of this team that fans have grown to love will not be together more than maybe 1 or 2 more years. Getting close to being on borrowed time
So I guess my point and frustration from this season is that no matter what legitimate excuses we've had this year, there have still just been too many inexplicable losses that should never happen and now we're paying for it. Dropping a couple every now and then is understandable. Nearly getting swept during the season by the Pelicans is not.
I really do hope that they get back on track next year, though, because I have a bad feeling that the core of this team that fans have grown to love will not be together more than maybe 1 or 2 more years. Getting close to being on borrowed time
When any league has a team that's 8 games under .500 locking in a spot for the playoffs while another one that is 14 games over may miss them altogether, something is definitely wrong. On top of that, the better teams from the East are essentially even further rewarded for their weak conference by having a ridiculously easy path to the finals.
I haven't even seen it mentioned anywhere yet as being on the table for discussion, but I wonder if we're heading down the path of NBA wild cards at some point. Top 6 from each conference and then 4 wild cards from the rest of the league might do the trick.
I haven't even seen it mentioned anywhere yet as being on the table for discussion, but I wonder if we're heading down the path of NBA wild cards at some point. Top 6 from each conference and then 4 wild cards from the rest of the league might do the trick.
I would like to see some realignment in the conferences after this year. Maybe move Memphis and New Orleans to the East and Milwaukee and Detroit or Cleveland to the West.
As it is the Heat have ridiculously easy paths to the Finals most years and the eastern playoffs are just not interesting at all.
As it is the Heat have ridiculously easy paths to the Finals most years and the eastern playoffs are just not interesting at all.
My hunch is they'll look at something like SEC baseball used to do
Top four of each conference then the next best 8, or something similar.
Top four of each conference then the next best 8, or something similar.
That's not a bad idea and this isn't some new problem. The East has been very top heavy for years.