Here we go on our second experimental quest to make things right for the have-not's, have-enough’s and even the piggy have-too-muches of the NBA. The Memphis Grizzlies were a playoff team last year, albeit a sorry one as a five seed getting ripped by Dallas 4 straight. This continued the ignominius streak of 10 consecutive losses without a win in their playoff franchise history. This year the Griz were seen as equal to or better than last year’s version, and these expectations turned sour after the team lost 24 out of its first 30 games. Mike Fratello took the fall for the disarray, but with ownership instability and lack of clear direction from GM Jerry West, current interim coach Tony Barone will not be able to make enough progress to salvage the season, even with the return of Pau Gasol from injury. So what would be the best course to pilot for these once successful, now hapless Grizzlies?
“Keep on keeping on” should be the mantra for this season, the draft, and the 2008 campaign. This means lowering expectations for this time frame, acquiring either Oden or Durant that Boston leaves on the table (based upon the draft lottery falling according to the odds of course), increasing the PT of their talented young players, and shopping the bodies that have current value, all in the hope of creating a championship contender with the 2009 or 2010 version of the Delta team. This of course would take a decidedly bolder course of action than West has demonstrated during his stint with Memphis, so I wouldn't hold my breath if I were a fan.
Gasol’s name has been a hot item lately in trade talks, and West would dearly love to dump the Spaniard’s wages on a team itching to make a run this year. Memphis doesn’t need players as much as cap room and high draft picks, so the argument here would be to make a move with the Knicks, perhaps pry away David Lee and a number 1 for Gasol. This gives them a nasty rebounder to build around. Without being a Mike Miller fan, I would still like to see the Griz keep their only top 25 player across all statistical categories for at least one more year to see if the chemistry becomes alchemy.
Here are the pieces of the puzzle that need to be kept in this brew that Memphis could conceivably concoct: Rudy Gay, a remarkable physical talent at shooting guard; Hakim Warrick, who reminds one of Rip Hamilton playing forward; Lawrence Roberts could settle in nicely as a 18 mpg backup center, and Chucky Atkins as the third guard in the rotation – physically undersized but with a lion’s heart.
The dumps are fairly obvious here. Stromile Swift has spared everyone to death for too long and needs to frustrate other team’s fans in the future. The entire bench, even one of my all time hustle favorites Brian Cardinal, could just stop showing up for games and it would barely be noticed. Damon Stoudamire probably didn’t deserve to make the team this year, and won’t be missed next.
Here’s a team that Memphis could conceivably put on the floor next year that would drive coaches insane with match up problems:
C- Greg Oden, PF – David Lee, SF – Hakim Warrick, SG – Mike Miller, PG – Rudy Gay
Remainder of eight-man rotation: PG – Chucky Atkins, C – Lawrence Roberts, PF – Channing Frye (obtained in hypothetical trade with Knicks along with Lee and draft picks for Gasol, Swift, Jones).
This would give Memphis the best of both worlds – an outrageously young athletic team that could play up tempo, score and play great perimeter AND interior defense.
The home of the blues would take on a decidedly peppier tone once this upgraded version hit the hardwood.
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