Ball or Nuthin' » Grizzlies

33-7 Fourth Quarter Puts Clippers Over Grizzlies

T Lamont — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:04:12 +0000

The Los Angeles Clippers have won 8 of their 18 games this season, but none have been as impressive as today’s 98-88 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Clips entered the 4th quarter trailing Memphis by 16 points, but Al Thornton and Eric Gordon each scored 10 points in the final 12 minutes to lead Los Angeles to a 33-point quarter. L.A. exhibited a suffocating defense as well, limiting the Grizzlies to 7 points.

This battle of teams labeled as long-term underachievers was punctuated by organizations that haven’t been noted for their precise execution down the stretches of ball games. And with the Grizzlies in firm position to secure their seventh win of the season, the Clippers’ display of aggression on both sides of the ball had to encourage coach Mike Dunleavy.

”I’m very proud of the guys. Our guys stayed with it and never gave up. All of a sudden, we came together and Eric Gordon got into that attack mode. We did the things we needed to do.”

Gordon's dynamic offensive ability is just what the Clips need.

Speaking of Gordon, he’s the main cog in a L.A. youth moment that has shown glimpses of potential. A one-year stud at Indiana, Gordon has shown that he has unlimited range and creative penetration ability. Al Thornton gives the Clips a player with both athleticism and versatility wrapped in one package. Center Chris Kaman (now a veteran at 27 years old) came into the game averaging 20 points per game. Deandre Jordan and Sebastian Telfair provide consistent energy off of the bench at key positions.

It’s games like this that indicate that Memphis remains a team in trouble. While they have dynamic talents like Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo on their roster, they have yet to begin stepping in the right direction. After the nightmarish Allen Iverson debacle, they’ve moved on to sign veteran point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Even though Tinsley is much more of a conventional point guard than Iverson, his stubbornness has hurt his former teams and we’ll have to see if the Grizzlies become adversely affected.

The L.A. Clippers were led in the game by Eric Gordon’s 29 points. Here’s Marcus Camby on Gordon’s potential:

”Eric’s a phenomenal player. I think he has the potential to be a special player like the LeBrons, the Kobes and the Carmelos. You’ll be mentioning Eric Gordon ‘s name for a long time.”

And that would be a first for the Clippers. A lottery pick that actually pans out.

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Iverson Leaves Another Team Hanging

T Lamont — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:44:21 +0000

A.I. has done it again.

After God apparently told him that he needed to go to Memphis, he has revealed his disgruntled side. Allen Iverson has been disappointed in his role (sound familiar?) with the rebuilding Grizzlies.

So what did he do about the situation?

The former NBA MVP took a personal leave from the team on Saturday. Yeah, he walked out on ‘em.

This is just the latest saga in the story of a player who has left a trail of dissent wherever he has played. He did not get along with Larry Brown in Philly. He did not play to the delight of George Karl in Denver. He couldn’t fathom coming off of the bench in Detroit.

But both Iverson and Memphis are to blame for this colossal mess.

Allen Iverson will watch the Grizzlies on TV for a little while.

So why would Memphis think he would want to come off the bench on their team? The Grizzlies were 24-58 last season. All the Memphis management had to do was look at what happened last season in Detroit. That would have been enough to make me say “I think I’m gonna stay away from this guy.”

The Grizzlies have a young nucleus – centered around their three outside / wing players Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay. And since the Grizzlies are rebuilding, there aren’t going to be many minutes for a 6-foot, 34-year-old, non-point guard who plays poor defense (at best).

Memphis should realize that sometimes if something looks too good to be true, stay away from it. It’s probably really bad for you.

And a little note to A.I….please realize that it is a privilege to play in the NBA, not a right. There aren’t many teams looking for a player with the following attributes:

- 6 foot tall, not a good shooter, not a good passer, not a good defender, 34 years old

So, remember that and choose your next contract very carefully – if you get one.

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Allen Iverson and Memphis – A Match Made at the Box Office

T Lamont — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:19:30 +0000

This is according to Allen Iverson’s Twitter account.

“God chose Memphis as the place that I will continue my career. I feel they are committed to developing a winner and I know that I can help them to accomplish that. I feel that I can trust them.”

The former young gun is now a seasoned veteran who would be supplying potential leadership for Memphis.

So much for the potential reunion with Larry Brown. A.I. looks to have agreed to a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies (as reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal) worth approximately $3.5 million and additional possible incentives.

The motivation for this move by the Grizzlies seems to be fairly straight-forward – they need all the help they can get bringing people into the FedEx Forum. Allen Iverson means more interested fans and more ticket sales.

Of course, this is only a short term ‘answer’ to a problem that will take a while to fix. If I were Memphis, I’d be more concerned with the development of a winning franchise. Fans always come out to support winning teams, even if they don’t have the greatest superstar attractions (prominent examples are the Pistons and Spurs teams from earlier in the decade).

Having Iverson hanging around for a year (and demanding a decent amount of minutes) will only stunt the progress of the Grizzlies future backcourt. It remains to be seen how Lionel Hollins plans to pair up his guards, but any combination involving A.I. will put either Michael Conley or O.J. Mayo on the pine. If the plan is to make the Grizzlies into winners, Conley and Mayo need as much time on the floor together as possible.

And no, Memphis wouldn’t dare talk playoffs – even with the addition of the dangerously streaky scorer.

But as the team’s two best SG’s, O.J. and A.I. will be tussling for P.T. – putting the Grizzlies in the NBA’s basement A.S.A.P.

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