I'm wondering if I'm alone in thinking that this year's Grizzlies will be opening some eyes in the playoffs. You have a well-balanced team of mostly unknowns (come on - how often do you hear something about Pau Gasol?) w/o any real superstar and they just find ways to win. And after 8 seasons of being jokes, it seems like they're on track to be taken very seriously. Give Jerry West props for making this team credible.
So are they going to be this year's "plucky underdog" everyone is going to be sentimentally rooting for?
On KJR-AM the other day the interviewed Sonics' assistant coach Bob Weiss and he thought the Grizz were going to get drubbed in the playoffs. He said with no playoff vets on the roster they'd be in for a rude awakening come playoff time, which any young first-time playoff team will have to go through. Heck, the T-Wolves are STILL going through them, seven years later.
I'd love to see them win a couple of rounds though. David Stern's nightmare: A Wolves-Grizz Western Conference Finals. (Or Spurs-Grizz, but I don't think that can happen with the seedings.)
EDIT: CHICAGO?! I'd never heard that...is that because ever since MJ retired the city would like to have an ACTUAL NBA team, as opposed to those guys who wear black and red jerseys nowadays.
(edited by JayJayDean on 5.4.04 1503) “To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
If Memphis catches San Antonio in Round 1, they go out in 5. However, should they catch the T-Wolves, The Boys of Hubie Brown might be able to pull off a shocker and advance to the second round.
(edited by redsoxnation on 5.4.04 1804) I want you to know, I agree with everything I just said.
I've liked the Grizz ever since they moved to Memphis because it's the only team in the southeast (Atlanta and Florida don't count). It especially helped that they got Jerry West who i've always liked, he's probably my favorite old school player. Add to that Jason Williams and Mike Miller (a Gator from when we actually cared about the Final Four) and i've been on the bandwagon for a little bit now. I think i'll get past the first round, EVEN if it's the Spurs. But what do I know i had FLorida and Gonzaga facing each other in the Final Four.
Spurs-Grizz finals couldn't happen with the current seedings but there is still enough games for the the Spurs to move up into the 2 or 3 spot, which would make a Spurs-Grizz finals possible.
Originally posted by QuezzyBut what do I know i had FLorida and Gonzaga facing each other in the Final Four.
Thank God I wasn't the only one. I really like what the Grizzlies have done this year too, gives me hope for my Bulls.
/edit: Southern Comfortable tonight.
(edited by Whitebacon on 6.4.04 0152)
(Not Bob Kohm)
In the context of baseball, the use of drugs hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, the use of alcohol hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, womanizing hurts whom? Maybe the wife of the player? In the context of baseball, felonies are crimes against society, not against baseball. In the context of baseball, gambling is the only crime against baseball.
Gambling, in the context of baseball, is a capital offense and Rose has richly earned-- hell, he agreed to-- his death sentence. Let him hang.
Bob Kohm, co-owner of Rotojunkies.com (rotojunkies.com) , and a large market kind of guy.
HEY! I Know I have been praising Pau Gasol here, and at another board for a while now. (well only here recently, but anyway). I saw him two years ago, and he just was incredible.
Memphis should get credit for its decisions. They hire Jerry West and Hubie. They get Jason Williams to stop trying to be Jason Kidd, and he becomes somewhat productive, even if he couldnt stop my grandma from driving down the lane.
Memphis will be a good team in about 3 years. They are headed in the right direction and will be opening a new arena next season (so long pyramid, and your great five dollar seats!).
Oh, and it was St Louis that the Grizz were going to move to when the Wal Mart Family bought Savvis Center and the Blues, but the NBA balked at that idea.
(edited by StaggerLee on 6.4.04 0725) Thank you for your irrelevant opinion.
Oh, and it was St Louis that the Grizz were going to move to when the Wal Mart Family bought Savvis Center and the Blues, but the NBA balked at that idea.
(edited by StaggerLee on 6.4.04 0725)
I always wondered why the NBA didn't want a team in St. Louis. It is a bigger market than Memphis and has other major league sports teams that seem to do well there with fan support.
As much as I love the Grizzlies, I can't see them getting past the first round.
And you know what? That's fine with me. After 8 years of futility, I'm just happy to see them - well, top 35 wins, let alone make the playoffs. I'll worry about them bringing home championships in a few years.
Pau Gasol - The best player YOU'VE never seen play Mike Miller - possibly the best pure shooter in the league J-Will - Toned down his game since the Sac-town days, and is a great floor general for these guys Bonzi Wells - you already know about him James Posey - can score in bunches Stromile Swift - explosive in the middle
Hubie has these guys believing, and I would hate to have to face them in the 1st round...I regret not making the 190 mile trip to see them play this year...
SWEET 16!!!! Yeah, you read it right...next vs. the UCONN Lakers
Originally posted by JayJayDeanOn KJR-AM the other day the interviewed Sonics' assistant coach Bob Weiss and he thought the Grizz were going to get drubbed in the playoffs. He said with no playoff vets on the roster they'd be in for a rude awakening come playoff time, which any young first-time playoff team will have to go through.
I'll have to disagree with Weiss. The 1993-94 Nuggets had zero playoff vets on the roster and ended up shocking the Sonics in the first round (who had the best regular-season record, IIRC) and took the Jazz to seven games. So as far as the Grizz getting drubbed goes, we'll have to wait and see.
Originally posted by BroncolancheI'll have to disagree with Weiss. The 1993-94 Nuggets had zero playoff vets on the roster and ended up shocking the Sonics in the first round (who had the best regular-season record, IIRC) and took the Jazz to seven games. So as far as the Grizz getting drubbed goes, we'll have to wait and see.
1. You didn't have to go THERE.
2. That was TEN years ago. It hasn't happened since. History's definitely against the Grizzlies doing much damage.
“To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
Pau Gasol would be a star if he played anyplace else in the league. Well, maybe not Milwaukee. But any fair to large size city, and you would be seeing him on Sportscenter every night.
Originally posted by BroncolancheI'll have to disagree with Weiss. The 1993-94 Nuggets had zero playoff vets on the roster and ended up shocking the Sonics in the first round (who had the best regular-season record, IIRC) and took the Jazz to seven games. So as far as the Grizz getting drubbed goes, we'll have to wait and see.
1. You didn't have to go THERE.
2. That was TEN years ago. It hasn't happened since. History's definitely against the Grizzlies doing much damage.
Also, the first round of the playoffs is 7 games now, not 5, making it harder for the underdog to pull off an upset.
(Not Bob Kohm)
In the context of baseball, the use of drugs hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, the use of alcohol hurts only the player. In the context of baseball, womanizing hurts whom? Maybe the wife of the player? In the context of baseball, felonies are crimes against society, not against baseball. In the context of baseball, gambling is the only crime against baseball.
Gambling, in the context of baseball, is a capital offense and Rose has richly earned-- hell, he agreed to-- his death sentence. Let him hang.
Bob Kohm, co-owner of Rotojunkies.com (rotojunkies.com) , and a large market kind of guy.
I'm pretty far from an expert on NBA basketball so I don't have much to offer in terms of evaluating the chances of an upset, but I'll be pulling pretty hard for the Grizzlies. The Clippers aren't going to make it, so I guess Shane Battier is the only chance at a Duke alum winning a championship. Go Grizzlies!
Great....just what Dallas needs - getting upset in the first round. I don't know why, just instinct I guess but I really think this is going to happen this year.
EDIT: Is it too late for us to get Van Exel back for the playoffs?? :)
Actually, I think they are matched up with either the Spurs or Lakers (who are tied for 3rd right now)...The Grizz just overtook the 5th spot from the Mavs. I wouldn't want my two favorite west teams (Mem-Dallas) matching up in the 1st round anyways...
SWEET 16!!!! Yeah, you read it right...next vs. the UCONN Lakers
Originally posted by chuckc14Actually, I think they are matched up with either the Spurs or Lakers (who are tied for 3rd right now)...The Grizz just overtook the 5th spot from the Mavs. I wouldn't want my two favorite west teams (Mem-Dallas) matching up in the 1st round anyways...
Yes chuck is right, right now Grizz are fifth taking on either, San Antonio or LA. The only way Dallas and Memphis could face in the first round is if either... A.) Memphis and Dallas both move ahead of either SAN Anotonio or LA. Making it 3) Spurs 4) Grizz 5) Dallas 6)LA or 3) LA 4) Grizz 5)Dallas 6)Spurs B.) Either Memphis or Dallas moves ahead of both San Antonio and LA. Making it 3) Grizz 4)Spurs 5) LA 6) Dallas or 3) Dallas 4) Spurs 5) LA 6) Grizz
I doubt either Memphis or Dallas will catch either LA or San Antonio, they are 3 (Memphis) and 3 and a half (Dallas) games back with about five games left. LA and SA should both finish in the top four. And Houston and Denver (or Utah or Portland) are too far out to catch Dallas or Memphis.
So most likely the only change in Dallas and Memphis standings will be swapping places and as long as one finishes fifth and one finishes sixth they can't possibly meet until the Western Finals.
I've been a Grizz fan since their days in Vancouver (I was young, and I wanted to be a fan "from the beginning", and the Grizz were an expansion team, so I latched on to them). I'm surprised they've done this well this year, and Hubie deserves Coach of the Year honors. However, as much as I wish they could pull a Florida Marlin (didn't everyone say THEY wouldn't get anywhere because they didn't have many players who've been to the playoffs, too?), I don't think they'll get far.
But that's okay, they've gone above and beyond what anybody thought already this year, and they'll be a team to watch out for next year.