Fast Times: Grizzlies Stun Nuggets 102-96

by djturtleface on Dec 20, 2009 8:57 PM CST Comment 5 comments

Remember what I said about the Denver Nuggets having a serious problem with focus? It showed tonight.

The Nuggets came out playing some seriously uninspired basketball, seemingly lacking any sort of respect for these upstart Memphis Grizzlies. After the Grizz took a 33-19 lead, the Nuggets quickly found some respect. After a little more effort in the 2nd quarter still kept the Grizzlies securely in the lead, Carmelo Anthony quickly realized that the Nuggets weren't playing in the FedEx Forum of old and turned on the jets.

And dang did Melo sure put on a show tonight in Memphis. He dropped 41 points, picking it up to make up for the absence of Denver's spiritual leader, Chauncey Billups.

But Carmelo's 41 weren't enough to net him Rockness Monster or the win. Get over the jump to see what our main man Zach Randolph got done, hear the Grizzlies side of the story, and to drop a line in the comments.

Rockness Monster: Zach Randolph- Zach Randolph had a season high in rebounds tonight -- not a personal season high, a league season high. He snagged 24 boards, including 9 offensive rebounds, even against defensive stalwart Kenyon Martin.

But Z-Bo didn't just hammer the boards. He scored 32 points also, including a set-play 3 pointer that seemed to stop the bleeding with under a minute left to go. The man just makes things happen for the Grizzlies. He keeps plays alive with his rebounding and has started to look like a legit leader. The Nuggets didn't have their spiritual leader tonight, but the Grizzlies might be finding theirs. By the way, that's terrifying.

U-Turn: The Bench- After a horrible, horrible, horrible, and terrible game last night for the bench, the Grizz bench played surprisingly nicely tonight. They might not have logged many, or hardly any, minutes out there, but they filled in nicely. Hasheem Thabeet and Jamaal Tinsley continue to be the most solid, consistent contributers -- yes, that Hasheem Thabeet.

Bitter Limon: O.J. Mayo- I can explain this one pretty quickly. O.J. Mayo: 5-19, 1-6 on threes. At some point you got to know when to start passing O.J. I've heard of shooting your way out of a slump, but in O.J.'s bad games it seems like he shoots his way into slumps.

Even with Chauncey Billups chilling on the sidelines, this is still another huge win for the Memphis Grizzlies. Yes, you're right, the Denver Nuggets were missing Big Shot and don't travel well, but this win was still every bit as momentous as those few against Cleveland, Dallas, and Miami.

The only difference is that all these wins against good teams are no longer shocking Grizz fans or even basketball fans across the country. Sound like pretty soon other teams are going to stop being so surprised too.

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Congrats from a Lakers fan

That things are looking up in Memphis. Who knows, at this rate, the Grizz might even be able to nab the 8th seed over Utah, Portland, or Houston.

Out of curiosity, is Thabeet looking like a bust? I know he’s a project, but still. No mention of the guy while Tyreke and Jennings are making big impacts.

And good job taking the risk on Randolph despite his reputation. The AI debacle, however, is just a sad story.

Also, would the franchise likely be moved if a new owner is found? The seats have been looking pretty empty in Memphis. I’m assuming Seattle and Vegas would be possible destinations?

by nilwnah on Dec 20, 2009 9:49 PM CST reply actions

I think...

It’s literally impossible to move the Grizzlies before 2012, and stays pretty difficult till about 2014. I think attendance is actually up this season, which I think is only the case for like 3 of 30 teams in the league.

And 8th seed is possible, but it’s going to be tough. We play our starters huge minutes and have almost no depth in case of injury. Things are definitely looking up though.

On the subject of Thabeet…

For a #2 when we could have had Tyreke or Brandon Jennings, yes, he is a bust. Tyreke would have made a mini-LeBron type stir in Memphis if he came straight from college to the Grizzlies, and he’s obviously proved that he can play in a backcourt with anyone. I think hindsight is proving that ’Reke was the pick to make.

But for a project center taken in the lottery, Hasheem Thabeet is starting to come along fast. He jumps out of the gym, tries hard, plays within himself, and is beginning to actually learn how to play basketball. Coach Hollins has openly admitted that he’s teaching Thabeet to play the way you would teach an 8th grader.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Dec 20, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions

Thabeet's a work in progress....

Thanks for the kind words, Nilwah.

You’re right about the empty seats. Memphis HAS to do better.

Thabeet is a work in progress. Realistically, he’s light years away. He needs your big man coach (fella named Abdul-Jabbar) to coach him up. But he’s getting better. Marc Gasol is teaching him as much as anyone. The game needs to slow down for him; he finds himself out of position too many times. He brings the ball down low after getting a rebound, and gets stripped. Marc, in contrast, keeps it high.

If he can keep altering shots, and getting rebounds, he can prove to be the defensive force in the paint that the Grizzlies have lacked.

By all accounts, he’s a good kid, bright, coachable. Reasonably good hands, quick enough. He just lacks experience.

As good as Tyreke is (and he’s that good..), 7’3" defensive game changers do not come along that often. I thought it was the right pick, and still think it was the right pick, given his progress. Memphis is a good spot for him; a young team with some talent, out of the limelight (He’d be getting ripped in NYC), and the final verdict will be years away.

I’m patient enough.

by jwoods1 on Dec 21, 2009 7:46 AM CST reply actions