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The Answer to No Answer? Grizzlies Backup Guard Situation

With Allen Iverson reporting that he is likely to sign somewhere (Miami or Charlotte seem most likely) in the near future, it's becoming obvious to the Grizzlies that they still a different guard to fill out the rotation and serve, most likely, as the team's scorer off the bench. Jason Williams, while not a scorer, may have been a good enough passer to get less experienced bench players like Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll a few good looks. But now Williams has signed with Orlando

So who do the Grizzlies have left as options? The Memphis Commercial Appeal has the dirt:

The Griz have expressed interest in Ronald "Flip" Murray, Jamaal Tinsley and Tarence Kinsey, believing they could come to terms with one of those veteran players soon.

Shakedown on each of these players after the jump:

Star-divide

  • Ronald "Flip" Murray- Getting up there in age, Flip Murray is a 6'3" shooting guard who has a bit of a journeyman's resume. He was Division II Player of the Year in college, and started his career playing very little. In his third season, second in Seattle, Murray broke out averaging around 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in about 24 minutes per game. Throughout his career he has filled similar roles, besides Cleveland where he started for one season, and has always been valuable for his aggressive scoring. His main flaw, however, is also his aggressive scoring. Murray has a reputation of dominating the ball and taking too many contested shots for his skill level. He has a career FG% around 42%. Still he has been useful in some situations, particularly when trying to fill Josh Childress's shoes in Atlanta last year 
  • Jamaal Tinsley- What is there to be said about Tinsley that hasn't already been said about Zach Randolph? Extremely talented, often called a great guy, but always manages to end up on the wrong side of the law and be labeled a locker room cancer. Tinsley has the talented of a top-15 true point guard in the NBA, and always wracks up assists. Still his reputation is tarnished after being banned from Pacer's facilities last season. Like Jason Williams he would provide a spark not with his own scoring, but by facilitating for the youngsters. He might be too talented and too vocal to accept a role beneath Mike Conley, and also would probably like to sign with a playoff team to improve his image.
  • Tarence Kinsey- A former Grizzlies project, Kinsey played for the Cavaliers last season. In his rookie year Kinsey put up some gaudy numbers (almost 19 points per game, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) while starting in 12 games for the Grizzlies. Still Tarence went on to bounce from Europe to Cavaliers garbageman after his time with the Grizzlies ended. Tarence is 6'6" tall, which would add much needed size to our back court. He is considered a fantastic athlete and pure scorer, but is known to have very poor court awareness, especially on defense. Also Kinsey is still young at 25, and would likely continue to harness his athletic gifts and get more basketball sense.
By the way, full disclosure, I'm voting for Kinsey.
Poll
Who would you prefer to see the Grizzlies sign this off-season?
Flip Murray
16 votes
Jamaal Tinsley
10 votes
Tarence Kinsey
8 votes

34 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 8 comments |

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Do 2 cancers cancel each other?

Z-Bo and Jamaal: good combo

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.-1984 George Orwell.

by tomkanti on Aug 21, 2009 11:43 AM CDT reply actions  

Or do two cancers just make you more sick?

Ollerblueboy
The Growl- oller.weebly.com

by thegrowl on Aug 21, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions  

Strip Club Industry

Is lobbying for Tinsley from what I’ve heard. Does Heisley own any in Memphis?

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Aug 21, 2009 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions  

I’m not that concerned about Flip Murray’s age – he’s 30, but I don’t think that affects us for a likely short term backup point guard. I am concernd about the fact that he takes a lot of shots to get his points, and doesn’t really seem to do much else for the team.

Tinsley is an even worse shooter. He’s a true point guard, though – plays defense and gets tons of assists. I’m more concerned with his durability. Seems like he’s always injured.

That said, I still think they are both higher caliber players than Kinsey. Kinsey is younger, but that ‘s about it, and I just can’t put too much stock in 12 games as a starter for the Grizz. He hasn’t really done anything since then, has he? He is a better shooter than the other two. I just don’t know enough about him to push for him over the other guys. Plus, even if you think he has potential, and may still have upside, he’s another “project”. Don’t we already have enough people learning on the team? Seems to me if we’re adding a bench player, let’s get someone that can help mentor this super young team we have rather than someone who is trying to come into their own and offers no development to our young core.

by hueyproductions on Aug 21, 2009 1:37 PM CDT reply actions  

I like Tarence...

For mostly irrational reasons. Kinsey is just cool.

More rationally, he worked his way into Cleveland’s rotation over Sasha P and Wally Scz for a few games last season and then promptly injured his ankle. He’s not a great shooter, but is a top-notch athletic talent. There was a segment of Cavs fans who were strongly in favor of trying to re-sign him as a cheaper version of Jamario Moon. His size will be very helpful in Memphis’s way undersized back court.

Tinsley is a huge character concern, and I don’t know if Mayo should be learning from Flip. So while Tarence isn’t an optimal solution he looks like the best option by process of elimination.

Kinsey has Trevor Ariza-like upside. Tinsley and Flip are what they are, which really isn’t that impressive.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Aug 21, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

So much for Kinsey...

Signed with a team in europe. Agree that Tinsley and Flip are what they are, but again, we’re talking about bench players behind Conley/Mayo. I’ll take something serviceable at this point. can you imagine if Conley got injured and we were stuck with starting Jaric or Marcus Williams at the point??? Yikes.

by hueyproductions on Aug 25, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions  

True.

We really need a serviceable backup guard, but I want it to be a full-sized shooting guard so Mayo can get significant time at the point (and start there if Conley goes down).

Flip is a too small for that role. Trading down this year to take DeRozan, Williams, or Harden is beginning to look like it would have been wiser and wiser every minute.

Straight Outta Vancouver - The Memphis Grizzlies DO Still Exist

by djturtleface on Aug 25, 2009 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions  

how can you not vote for Flip?

his name’s Flip for god’s sake!

"Yeah this is my signature, big deal wanna fight about it?"

by pinkelposse on Aug 23, 2009 8:19 PM CDT reply actions  

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