The Grizzlies are for real

[Optimus Prime 4]

That is all.

Pre-emptive: don't post that you don't like the NBA. We don't care. There will be a soccer thread soon where you can say soccer sucks.

 

[thf24]

I second. I thought the preseason predictions of 55+ wins were a little too optimistic, but despite being early I'm starting to think it will be a disappointment if not achieved.

 

[OzarkaNSW]

thanks stephen a. smith, 7 games in? ok

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Bench depth is great this year.

Just think when Darrell Arthur comes back. There's enough decent players now that if someone has an off night, others can pick up the slack. Pondexters goal in the offseason to improve his three point shooting is paying off big time. Add to that Bayless and Ellington and you have formidable bench and perimeter team.

 

[seshomoru]

A solid early in the season road win.

Those are the games that may make the difference in home court in the first round of the playoffs. Nice W there. Bayless is looking like a legit backup PG, and I don't know where in the hell Ellington got the stroke from the perimeter, but just keep it up.

I am a little worried about the fact that they really only play nine. Maybe Who's your Haddadi can add some fouls and minutes later in the year, but will Selby or Wroten add anything? Anyway, Mo has been crazy good so far, and there is a legit chance that Conley, Marc, Zbo, and Rudy are all all-stars. Tony is Tony, and Bayless + Ellington is is light years better than OJ. Q looks better and better and Arthur should be back soon.

in summation with some repeating of what I just typed...

So you've basically got a starting five with four potential all-stars, even though none would be considered elite. Who else can say that? The Lakers with Nash, Kobe, Howard, and Gasol.. but they might be a mess. OKC has Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka..... and... The bench got better with OJ leaving. Ellington provides the perimeter threat, Mo is just good from wherever you need him, and Q keeps getting better.

Griz over the Heat is 4!

Still.. I've seen enough Memphis fourth quarters to remain cautiously optimistic. But 17 it. On the other hand, I've never had as good a reason to be this pumped about the season.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

You won't see Selby or Wroten unless it's garbage time. Hollins doesn't play rookies an Selby hasn't cracked the rotation.

 

[seshomoru]

So the questions going forward...

Zbo is not gonna be around much longer. That's the first guy you gotta replace. Can they do it through the draft with what is going to be one of the lower 1st round selections? Who is trade bait to get an important piece? I realize Conley isn't near an elite PG, but is he vital to team chemistry? Is the three you hold onto Conley, Gasol, and Gay? At all cost? They are young, but is that a championship winning trio?

To be honest... I don't really give a damn. They are competitive, fun as hell to watch, and big Gay dunks, and little Zbo Clause moon shot fade aways are worth whatever your cable/satellite company overcharges you. #GRIND

 

[seshomoru]

Ticket side bar:

I'll be in Memphis the Friday after Thanksgiving.... anyone with an extra ticket? I will only discuss the formidable team in Memphis and the disastrous collection of name brand stars in LA. I'll even vote Republican for the next 5 elections.... well probably not, but I'll buy you some Huey's cheese fries before the game and keep you well marinated on Ghost River Blonde.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

We are going Friday night to the Knicks game and next friday to the lakers game unless my wife is in labor. I swore I would never go back to a lakers game but our 10 game pack came with it.

 

[Seinfeld]

Maybe we are all jumping the gun a bit, but blowing a team like the Heat out of the gym and then turning around and winning comfortably in OKC is impressive. It's nice seeing the Grizz in these prime time tv slots and not expecting to get blown out.

Hollins has done an outstanding job in getting Gay, Gasol, and Zebo to play effectively while on the court at the same time. He also seems to already have a great feel for his bench, and he's bringing the right guys into the game at all the right times. It's starnge to watch because the Grizzlies' bench has historically been a weakness for the team, but now it seems to be a significant strength. That's hard to do in a small market.

Big shout out to Rudy for last night. It's one of the first times in his 7 years in the league that I've seen him flat out put the team on his back in crunch time and carry them. He pulled a Kobe last night and for those who haven't followed him for long, I can't tell you how big that is.

Finally, I can't imagine what these guys could do if they got half of the phantom calls that Durant and co received in the 3rd qtr last night. Damn, some of it was awful...

 

[Bulldog Bruce]

So far I look forward to the 2nd quarter or late in first.

The bench has been such an advantage I sit there hoping the starters just keep it close at the beginning knowing the big advantage once our bench is playing their bench. That game last night really was the perfect example of that. The starters just started out a little cold. They were getting good shots, just not dropping them. Then Pondexter and Bayliss then Ellington get in and they take it from a 10 point deficit to a lead. With those 3, one of them is going to be on. When it was just OJ, it depended if he was on or not. And actually Speights and Arthur are also be able to score in spurts.

Now the starters heated up in the second half and maintained the lead. It was funny when the announcer realized the Thunder were still down 11. They announced the game like the Thunder were on a run, but the Grizz kept ahead of them throughout.

 

[MissStFan87]

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Didn't they trade Kevin Love for Mayo? What could have been...not to mention the wasted Thabeet pick

 

[hatfieldms]

Yes they traded Love for OJ

But I am perfectly fine with Randolph being here as the PF

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

Hakeem Olajuwon moves right there.

 

[Pimp Doggy]

Who da thunk it that ..........

........tonight's game would be the top record in the west vs the top record in the east?

The fact that we already had Zach, I was happy with the draft day trade for Mayo. He's scoring bigtime for dallas right now.

I love watching a team where everone appears to give the "Tony Allen" effort defensively like JB with that block on ray allen, that was a Beaut. I also love watching a team share the ball to ensure they get the best opportunity for a bucket. I was mad at #22 in the playoffs since he played more games than he had assists that series. He balled up bigtime wednesday and is sharing the ball too.

Screw the small sample size, this is awesome. I had planned to leave at 3pm today for the game tonight. Now I think I'm leaving at 11am....