Well, your Memphis Grizzlies are looking to come back from an embarrassing loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. The Toronto Raptors come to town tonight high off a big win over Cleveland on Wednesday. Let's just say it doesn't look good.
I honestly don't see how the Grizz matchup in this one. The Raptors frontline features Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Hedo Turgoglu. Three skilled men who can stretch the floor. On top of that they've got one of the better distributors in the league in Jose Calderon. The Grizz, who are not none for the D, are gonna have a hard time guarding all those shooters. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph just are not quick enough to get out on Bosh and Bargnani. It ain't gonna happen.
That being said, there is a reason they play the games. I'd like to see the Grizz pound the ball down low to Randolph and Gasol early and often. While Bosh and Bargnani are skilled, they are not known as interior defensive stopper to say the least. The Grizz have got to get one of Bargnani or Bosh out of the game. Otherwise, the Raptors just have too many shooters. If that doesn't happen (and I generally don't like a gameplan in an NBA game that counts on getting someone in foul trouble. The refs generally don't let that happen.), look for the L-Train to go small and give DeMarre Carroll a lot of run at the 4. Here's to hoping DeMarre can live up to his preseason hype as a fan favorite.
Speaking of fan favorites, AI says he's ready to go. The Grizz are saying they want him to get in a little better shape before he comes back. Word on the street is they are targeting Monday. I say that's a load of crap. Let AI play 10-12 minutes tonight. It's a home game. He's Allen freakin' Iverson. I already got Turtle in my ear saying that she thinks he's faking. Let's get one thing straight, AI will play if you let him play. He'll play harder than anyone else on that team. If he's ready to go then give him some damn minutes.
Which leads me to the big question circulating Memphis... Is there any way AI doesn't start for this team? Unless a different Mike Conley shows up over the next couple games, I don't see it. I'm sorry, but I just don't see a way you tell a future hall of famer he is backing up Mike Conley. I wish there was. It probably would be better for the team. It just ain't happening. Nor should it. Mike Conley needs to earn his time for once. He's been given every chance to be the man. If he can't do it, let AI do it.
One last thing, I'm really liking this OJ-DeRozan matchup tonight. OJ needs to get rolling. He had a terrible preseason and had what may have been the worst game of his career on Wednesday. I really like DeRozan in last years draft and look forward to seeing him in the NBA. He's a freak athlete and has a sweet jumper. That being said, he's a rookie in his second game and OJ should be able to take advantage of that. If not, it is going to be a long night.
I'll be back with a post game wrap up either late tonight or at some point tomorrow. Unitl then... Let's go Grizzlies!!!
2 comments:
If AI says he's ready to go, play him because fans want to see him play. I'm not sure he can make a drastic difference in our eventual win/loss record, but he sure can make a difference in the amount of fans who show up to watch him/Griz play.
As far as Conley, the thinking was if Conley can play up to the level he was at the end of last year, he should start (Hollins has said he's confident in Conley's play, enough so to start going into the season). If he can't play at that high enough level, he needs to make way for someone else (short term is AI and long term is ?)
I like that Gasol is gaining more speed and quicker recognizition on defense. This was a weak part of his game and it seems like getting in better shape this offseason has done wonders for him.
OJ will find his shot again. If not, he needs to drive and score or drive and dish. He'll take some pressure off Rudy and Zach offensively if and when his shots start to fall.
The big key is the fact that the whole team needs better defense for sure. I'm not saying Hubie ball but they sure are athletic enough to do it. But we haven't seen the slightest glimpse of it yet counting the Pistons game and preseason. And they're going to need defense on the 11 day "6 away/1 home game" stretch starting Sunday because you can't rely on offense with that tough of a travel schedule.
Good stuff, Clay. I agree on all counts. Gasol looks like the truth. OJ will be fine. I doubt he forgot how to shoot. I'd just like him to come out tonight and crank it up against a rookie.
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