The All-Star break is over and it’s time to get back to work as Phoenix (31-22) makes a trip to Memphis to take on a struggling Grizzlies team. Memphis (26-25) was one of the hottest teams in the league before losing six of its last seven heading into the break. However, if anyone can turn things around, it’s these Grizzlies. They started the season 1-8, and turned things completely around to get into playoff contention. Memphis is currently three games behind Portland for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West, and four behind 7th place Phoenix. This is the fourth and final meeting between these two teams, as Memphis leads the season series 2-1. With a win tonight, the Grizzlies would have the advantage if the two teams were to be tied at the end of the regular season. Read the rest of this entry »
Grizzlies vs Lakers 2_1_10
The Memphis Grizzlies had won a franchise best 11 straight games in front of the home fans at FEF before finally falling to a Chris Paul-less Hornets team Saturday night. Z-Bo and company are going to need to be on their A-game if they intend on starting up a new home winning streak as things won't get any easier Monday night.
Warning: this year’s Kobe show subject to change.
The circus is coming to town. The Grizzlies franchise-record 11 game home winning streak was snapped with a 109-102 loss to New Orleans on Saturday night. Now, Memphis must get back on track with the toughest game of the year coming to FedExForum–the L.A. Lakers.
Throughout this college basketball season I have been watching a lot of these great freshmen that have been making a name for themselves. You have Kentucky with thier three freshman that are making an impact, Xavier Henry who is showing his skills at Kansas, but one big time freshman that seems to have fallen a little bit under the radar is Georgia Tech’s big time freshman Derrick Favors.
1. John Wall
2. Even Turner
3. Derrick Favors: PF, Georgia Tech
At 6′10 246 lbs he has the size to be a real threat at the NBA level. He has great hands, and a great ability to score the basketball. His great touch, and quick feet makes him a defensive players nightmare. If thats not enough he has great athleticism, and can finish with contact. When the ball comes off the rim he knows where to be and gets a lot of rebounds. To go along with all that he is young for his class at only 18 years old.
Strengths Offensively: Great hands, excellent touch around the basket, great athleticism, large wing span, quick post moves, ability to create his own shot, runs the floor well, can finish through contact, great offensive rebounder,and has alot of upside.
Strengths Defensively: He’s a shot blocker, he can also alter a lot of shots, good rebounder, knows how to defend the pick and roll, can guard multiple positions, physical presence, great defensive quickness, and he works hard on defense.
Overall Weaknesses: Needs to work on his ball handling skills, better at backing down then facing up, jump shot could be better, and needs to be a little bit stronger although he has gotten stronger since college.
Overall Grade: 93
The last time these two teams met, it wasn’t even a game. The Rockets pummeled the Grizzlies 104-79 back on November 11. After that match up, Memphis was 1-8, and staring at another 20 win season. Houston, on the other hand, was 5-3 and off to a promising start after an off season full of questions. Today, nearly three months later, the Southwest Division foes have identical records (26-22) and are battling each other for a spot in the postseason. Memphis is coming off a tough 4 game stretch in which they have gone 1-3, with the win an impressive one at home against Kobe and the Lakers. Houston has struggled recently as well. Although coming off a win Tuesday against Golden State, they have dropped four of their last six. Memphis will try and continue their winning ways at home where they have won 13 of 14 and are 18-6 overall. Houston is a respectable 11-13 on the road this season but has dropped four of its last five away from Toyota Center.
CLEVELAND — It is no secret that the Memphis Grizzlies are a young
Photo by Tony Dejak/Associated Press
The Cavs, winners of nine straight, were led by a crafty veteran and arguably one of the most talented players to ever play in the NBA. Lebron James scored 22 points and dished out a career high tying 15 assists,while Shaquille O’neal dominated the paint, Blocking 4 shots, scoring 13 points and grabbing 13 boards in just 21 minutes of action. The Cavilers were looking to avenge an early season overtime loss to the Grizzlies in Fedex Forum and did so in convincing fashion. “We’re definitely conscious when we lose to a team,” said Lebron James.
Many believe the win over the Cavs back in December was the beginning of something special happening in the Bluff City. Memphis entered the night in the eigth and final playoff spot but were playing their fourth game in five nights and coming off an emotional win over the Western Conference leading Lakers.
Lebron James dominated the game and seemed to be on a whole different level than anyone on the court. James spent the majority of the evening setting up his teammates, in a role he has thrived in, since Mo Williams and Delonte West were sidelined with injuries. James has dished out double digit assist in his last 5 of 6 games.
The Grizzlies could never get things going in a lackluster performance, lacking the passion and energy that has led them to wins over division leaders on a consistent basis this season. Rudy Gay had 15 points as Zach Randolph was 13 points below his average,chipping in a pedestrian 8 points. O.J. Mayo did not help the cause on a 4-of-15 shooting night.
“I had an off night and they just dominated the whole game,” Grizz All-Star Zach Randolph said. “We had a tough game the night before, but this is the NBA. You have to come to play.”
One thing this Memphis Grizzlies team has been, is resilient. From the Allen Iverson debacle to losing closely contested games they should have easily won at home (New Orleans-Saturday night), this team has bounced back time and again this season and there is no reason to believe that they are going to stop now. The Grizzlies are winning over the city of Memphis with heart and hustle and they can’t stop now. Memphis needs the Grizzlies and the Grizzlies need Memphis.
Lionel Hollins and company will get two days off to right the ship before returning to the court for back to back games against Houston on Friday and Minnesota on Saturday. Two games Memphis will need to win to stay in the hunt for a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The Grizz will get a much needed boost inside, when Darrell Arthur looks to return from injury in the coming weeks but the baby Grizzlies will have to learn that there are no nights off in the NBA. The way things are shaping up, it looks like 1 or 2 games may determine who will be in the 2010 NBA Playoffs and who will be watching from home.
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As noted in my last post. John Wall is the overwhelming favorite to be the number one pick in the 2010 NBA draft; but the real debate is who will be the number two pick. So who will be the number two pick? There are a lot of great players this year that have a chance to lock down the second spot, such as: Ed Davis, Wesley Johnson, and Derrick Favors. But after watching a lot of the top players this year in college basketball, the player that caught my eye was Evan Turner.
1. John Wall: PG, Kentucky.
2. Evan Turner: G, Ohio St.
Evan Turner is a talented combo guard with a great basketball skill set. The 6′6 junior has continued to improve over his three seasons at Ohio State, and is averaging 18.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, and 5.5 apg. Turner is a play maker and has the ability to play multiple positions. After seeing Turner play several times, I feel his game will transition well into the NBA.
Strengths: Turner is a big combo guard that can play the point, shooting guard, as well as small forward. He is very smooth with the ball, and is a play maker. He has good size and can see over defenders. One of his best qualities is his ability to attack the basket. Not only can he break down a defender off the dribble, but he does a good job of coming off screens and getting to the rim. One of the things I like most about Turner’s game is his ability to score. When he gets to the lane he can finish with a dunk, he has the touch to shoot a floater over a long defender, and he gets to the free throw line at a remarkable rate. He has great ball handling skills and is very good at changing speeds. Defensively, he is pretty good. He averages 1.7 steal per game, and has the ability to block shots.
Weakness: Seems to be better off the dribble than catching and shooting. He needs to get a little more physical, I feel like players that get a little rough with him give him trouble, and at the next level he is going to have to get used to physical play. He is an average shooter, but I think with a little work could be good shoot because he has good form and a good release.
Overall Grade: 97
