Fanhouse Previews the Grizzlies
They wrote first about the team as a whole, occasionally rarely complementary as well, in this little preview. Not unlike fellow SBN blogger Tom Ziller, Matt Moore seems unabashedly negative about the Grizzlies this season. He opens by writing that:
The Grizzlies are not a joke. They are the punchline.
Ouch. A little bit harsh considering that Moore closes by conceding that the Grizzlies do have a shot at the playoffs this season, though their worst-case scenario is certainly bleak.
Next Fanhouse focused on a singular player for each team, choosing Marc Gasol for the Grizzlies. Like most other media since camp opened, they focus on Marc losing weight. Though the feature does touch on uncharted ground, essentially claiming that Marc should be the focal point of this offense:
With Michael Conley's shooting improving and O.J. Mayo taking the next step (along with Allen Iverson zipping in and out of lanes, and if he miraculously decides not to absorb all the possessions), using Gasol as a lynchpin would provide a wrinkle that accentuates the strongest components of the Grizzlies' offense.
Not that I completely disagree, but Marc Gasol's passing game is somewhat overrated. Even the best passing big men in the game don't ever make a wow'ing impact, and Marc Gasol isn't among the best passers in the league. Well, take what you can get from these guys I guess
0 recs |
2 comments
|
Comments
Sigh.
First hey, love your stuff. Been trying to find an email for you with no luck. Would love to get in touch with you about a number of things.
Second, I really wish you’d take a look at my FanHouse work prior to the Zach Randolph trade. I defended the team all last year, and have even tried pitching the “They got what they needed out of the Pau Gasol deal.” The Zach Randolph deal was like getting kicked in the nuts after I stuck up for them, you know? And I’m not happy about them being the punchline.I feel like they have the pieces to actualy be quite good, but I can’t look at this squad and not feel like they’ve made poor decisions for the development of the franchise.
I have a mancrush on the Wendigo, Marc Gasol. No lie. Dude’s just a beast. I saw some flashes out of his post-passing last year, apparently you didn’t. I can see where you’re coming from, I just would have rather they invested in Marc’s potential and improved in other spots rather than trading for the untradeable and drafting the pogo stick.
It pains me that Memphis’ future looks so bleak because they’re honestly my favorite team, if I had one (i’m a nomad, sadly). I crave for this team to improve, I banged the drum for O.J. Mayo for ROY until very late in the season, and I think they have the best logo.
All this to say, yeah, I executed them a bit, but I gotta say, most of it was like getting back at an ex that fucked around on you. Not only that, but she fucked around on you with the ugly girl with the stache that wanders around doing things like this.
I don’t blame you for lumping me in with the haters, but please understand I never wanted to be here.
PS I still have hope for OJ-Gay-Gasol.
http://hardwoodparoxysm.com
by Ridiculous Matt on Oct 5, 2009 11:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ahh...
First: You’re right about Marc’s passing potential. I see it. But I also see passing potential in Hamed Haddadi, so I’m not sure I’m a fair judge. I mean Brad Miller was/is awesome, but he never broke a single game open with his skills. Also I’m slightly bearish on Marc because of the new haircut.
Second: Everyone wears multiple hats, and your points/metaphor are spot on. I’ve hated hard on the Grizzlies for lots of the summer too. When I did it you could feel the love under the pain, and I could in this preview too. I basically flipped shit for a few weeks over Thabeet to Randolph to no scouts; now I’m feeling a bit better mostly because I’m delusional since it’s my hat to write semi-positively about everything on here.
It’s OK to be a hater when you’re protecting something you love. I don’t shoot the messenger, I just incite my tiny fanbase to.
Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist
by djturtleface on Oct 5, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

by 










