5 Steps to a Championship in Memphis

by marialosmaria on Oct 1, 2009 10:15 PM CDT

Allen Iverson has made some audacious claims since coming to Memphis. The latest, in an extended interview with Scoop Jackson, involves Iverson claiming that even a playoff berth for the Grizzlies would not be enough to satisfy him — he wants a championship!

These aspirations have been generally received by the illustrious blogosphere as preposterous, the rumblings of a 34-year old mad man. However, let’s take Iverson at his word for a second. Is it, in fact, possible for this rag-tag bag of youngsters and selfish veterans to take home the Larry O’Brien trophy next June?

One of the 5 steps:

1. Hasheem Thabeet becomes a defensive beast

By beast, we’re talking Mutombo levels of beast.

If Thabeet were to become the best defensive big man in the game, he’d hide the glaring defensive weaknesses of Zach Randolph. If you take Zach’s inability and unwillingness to rebound out of the equation, he’s actually a solid contributor — 20/10, even if those 20 points are at a very bad clip for a big man (46.6% over his career).

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One of the 5 steps...

Claims that A.I. and Mayo playing together can’t work because of size problems.

It also claims that A.I. and Conley should be playing together.

You see where I’m going with this point? Not to straight up hate, but even for a whimsical article this is downright whimsical.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Oct 1, 2009 11:34 PM CDT reply actions

not sure what you think is whimsical about it. I agree that AI and Mayo can play together if they go very small with Mayo at the 3 but that’s going to be a monster mismatch. Yet they might just do it! with Rudy at 4 and ZBO at 5. Imagine Lebron James being guarded by OJ Mayo! or Rashard Lewis? Huge size problem.

AI and Conley should definitely be playing together. I agree. I don’t see what’s whimsical on that.

For a long time the Nuggets had a goal that was beyond making the playoffs. We have a better overall team (on paper) than they did when AI was there. So our goals should be higher too – at the least! :)

by xangoir on Oct 2, 2009 12:23 PM CDT reply actions

No way.

If Mayo and A.I. are together it’s in the guard spots. Conley will come off the bench. There is absolutely no chance the Grizzlies could go way undersized at the 1, 2, 3, and 4.

There’s nothing whimsical about A.I. and Conley playing together; what’s whimsical is the attitude of the article. Hasheem Thabeet won’t play like Mutumbo in his prime during his rookie year. Conley likely won’t win Most Improved Player because he won’t get enough minutes.

Sorry but no matter how bullish you might be about this team, setting a goal of NBA Champions is silly. Even the Lakers didn’t win their first year with Pau. The Cavs haven’t won yet. The Nuggets had Carmelo and Marcus Camby (DPOY) with A.I., the Grizzlies have talent, but not two other superstar talents.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Oct 2, 2009 5:24 PM CDT up reply actions

sorry, I was out of town for these last 2 weeks but thanks for elaborating on that for me!

by xangoir on Oct 19, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

respectfully disagree that ....

setting a goal for a championship is silly. it’s time for a new attitude in memphis. west got the thing started and i’m tired of the grizz and grizz fans accepting mediocrity. ai, like him or not, has a great “lunch pale” attitude and that’s one thing i think the media didn’t factor in when they ripped the grizz for signing him.

if we don’t have guys atleast saying that they are playing for a championship, what exactly are they playing for? why don’t we just throw in the towel b4 the season gets under way? let’s conceed that we are the nba team that IS NOT playing for a championship? that’s like somebody saying we’re going out to play well, but we’re not trying to win every FRICKIN game this season.

by razorbackrb on Oct 31, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions