NBA

4 New Grizzlies Songs Every Fan Should Add To Their Playlist

May 24, 2013 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

Photo by Justin Ford

There is a newfound level of energy and excitement in Memphis, Tennessee, and its due in large part to the play of the Grizzlies. After all, the team has the Defensive Player of the Year in Marc Gasol, is in the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history, and is garnering more national media attention than ever before.

Believe Memphis flags are flying all over the city, there are more growl towels than regular towels in the Shelby County limits, and the grit and grind mantra has become a way of life for Memphians and Mid-Southerners all over.

Fan support for the home team is at an all time high, and city pride is at a feverish pitch. Even local musicians are showing their support for the Grizzlies, by coming up with Grizz themed rally songs, that highlight the uniqueness of the Grizzlies and the music scene in Memphis.

Thanks to artists like Al Kapone and Teflon Don, fans can listen to Grizz themed music to get hyped on the way to FedExForum. Even the homeless are rapping about the Grizzlies. Below is a list of new songs every Grizzlies fan should add to their playlist.

No true Grizz fan’s playlist is complete without these songs:

“We Don’t Bluff (Memphis Grizzlies Theme)” by DJ Paul ft Drumma Boy

“Whoop That Trick (Grizz Grindhouse version)” by Al Kapone (Click here to listen)

“Go Grizzlies” by Teflon Don featuring Rick Trotter (Click here to listen)

“Started From Bottom (Grizzlies Remix)” by Freesol (Click here to listen)

CJ Hurt covers NBA basketball for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from games.

Top 5 Sporting Events That Memphis Has Ever Hosted Besides The Western Conference Finals

May 24, 2013 by Terry Davis Leave a Comment

Memphis has a very strong sports history. For decades, the University of Memphis has been an elite team on the national stage. However, Tiger basketball is not the only big time event that Memphis has played host to. The St Jude Classic is an annual event that always has signature moments. But does anything come close to the Memphis Grizzlies hosting the Bluff City’s first ever NBA Western Conference Finals?

Here are a few events that have catapulted to the top of the Memphis sports scene:

Mike Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis, Heavyweight Championship, June 8, 2002 at The Pyramid.

World championship boxing matches always bring out the A-list in the entertainment world and this was no exception. Some of the celebrities in attendance were Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Britney Spears, Clint Eastwood, Ben Affleck, Hugh Hefner, Halle Berry, Richard Gere, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, LL Cool J. Wesley Snipes and many others.

This fight was originally scheduled for April 6, 2002 in Las Vegas, but Las Vegas and other states refused to issue Tyson a license to box. Tickets sales were slow at first because of the high cost of $2,400, but 15, 327 show to see Lewis defeat Tyson in eight rounds.

Memphis vs. Tenneseee, No. 1 vs. No. 2, February 23, 2008 at FedExForum.

The Tigers entered the game with a 26-0 record and the Vols were 24-2. Memphis was ranked No.1 in the country and Tennessee was No. 2. Justin Timberlake and Peyton Manning were among the stars to show up for this time. There was plenty of tension in the building for an in-state rivalry game on a national stage. John Calipari and Bruce Pearl were opening taking verbal jabs at each other. The Tigers had the longest home active winning streak in the country (47 games). The Vols won the game 66-62. Entertainment Tonight television show was in attendance with the 18,629 fans for the game.

Derrick Rose and Robert Dozier were not able to contain Memphis native J. P. Prince and Chris Lofton off in order to keep their undefeated record alive. The Tigers did go on to play in the National Championship game against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Illinois vs. Alabama, Bear Byrant’s last game, December 29, 1982 at Liberty Bowl Stadium.

After the 1982 season, the legendary coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide decided to end his coaching career. He announced his last game as coach would be at the Liberty Bowl. The Tide lost their final regular season game to the Auburn Tigers. Bryant stated,”This is my school, my alma mater. I love it and I love my players. But in my opinion, they deserved better coaching than they have been getting from me this year.” The Tide won the Liberty Bowl 21-15 over the Illini in front of 54,123 and and what was described as a media “circus” from around the country.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, The Triple OT Game, May 10, 2011 at FedExForum.

The Memphis Grizzlies were coming in off of upsetting the number one seeded San Antonio Spurs and came into this game with a 2 games to 1 advantage over the Thunder. Zach Randolph 34 points and 16 rebounds and Marc Gasol 26 points and 21 rebounds were not event to defeat the Thunder. This133-123 triple overtime thriller won by the Thunder was led by Kevin Durant’s 35 points and Russell Westbrook’s 40 points. The Thunder went on to win the series in seven games. It took three-hours and 52 minutes to play the game. This was the only sporting event ever held in Memphis to be nominated for a ESPY.

Andy Kaufman vs Jerry “The King” Lawler, April 5, 1982 at the Mid-South Coliseum.

Kaufman was a frequent guest on Saturday Night Live (SNL) were he would wrestle women as part of his skits. Kaufman came to Memphis and offered any woman $1,000 if they could beat him. Lawler became tired of his antics and they began a verbal feud. They finally fought and Kaufman won the fight on a disqualification, because Lawler used an illegal move (the piledriver).

The two would meet again on July 28 on the David Letterman show and Lawler would give Kaufman the slap heard around the world. During Lawler’s appearance on the show Kauffman threated to sue Lawler for injuring him in their match and got tired of listening to Kaufman babble and he slapped him. This confrontation between the two actually brought wrestling the national stage. This was the first time wrestling and Hollywood to crossed paths. Memphis was selling out the Mid-South Coliseum every week back then. Lawler vs. Kaufman has been featured in movies (Man on the Moon) and on various TV specials.

These are just a few of the top sporting events that Memphis has hosted. There are plenty of other events that the city has played host to. What are some of your favorite sporting events of all time that has occurred within the city limits of Memphis?

Terry Davis is a regular contriburtor for MemphiSport. Follow him @Terryd515.

Grizzlies players weigh in on state of franchise since team traded Rudy Gay

May 18, 2013 by Andre Johnson 1 Comment

The Grizzlies returned to work Friday afternoon for the first time since eliminating the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder and punching their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

THE DEBATE CONTINUES — Rudy Gay (right) spent six-plus seasons in Memphis after leaving UConn in 2006. Since his trade to Toronto on January 30, there has been ongoing debates as to whether the Grizzlies have become a better team since dealing their franchise player. (Photo by Chris Evans)

Still, despite all of the hoopla and the national buzz this small-market franchise has created this postseason, it seems that one proverbial topic continues to re-surface as Memphis prepares to take on the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of their best-of-7 series Sunday at 2:30 p.m. CST in the AT&T Center.

That is, are the Grizzlies a better team since trading franchise player Rudy Gay?

“We definitely are a better team,” said Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, who has become Memphis’ leading scorer since the team dealt Gay. “This team is more together. We understand. Our confidence is up. We play for one another, so we’re definitely a better team.”

That certainly didn’t appear to be the case after the Grizzlies, Raptors, and Pistons agreed to a six-player trade on January 30 that sent the star swingman to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Ed Davis, Austin Daye, and Tayshaun Prince.

For some, trading Gay was befitting, considering the seven-year veteran, at least at the time, wasn’t performing like a player who signed a five-year extension with Memphis worth a reported $82 million in July 2010. For others, they sensed that moving Gay after the team had gotten below the dreaded luxury tax threshold — after sending reserves Marresse Speights, Josh Selby, Wayne Ellington to Cleveland eight days earlier — wasn’t consummate, given Memphis was deemed a legitimate title contender before the start of the season.

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins, for instance, was among those who felt team officials’ decision to trade Gay was a questionable move. And, after a January 15 shootaround in FedExForum, Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who’s close friends with Gay, said “the Grizzlies would be crazy” for trading the former UConn star.

What a difference three-and-half months have made.

That’s because all the new-look Grizzlies have done since Gay’s exodus was emerge as arguably the hottest and most efficient team in the NBA, let alone pose as a serious threat to dethrone the Miami Heat in the coming weeks. Add to the fact that the Grizzlies have generated the league’s third-best record (34-14) since trading Gay and ousted two title contenders (the Clippers and Thunder) in eloquent fashion, and it’s no wonder why seasoned Grizzlies such as Randolph and Mike Conley don’t shy away from weighing in on a subject they believe is an afterthought at this stage in the season.

“We’re happy to be here.” Conley said of Memphis’ historical run to the conference finals. “But we’re focused on bigger things. You’ve

Among the reasons the Grizzlies have enjoyed success since trading Gay is that veteran shooting guard Tony Allen (right) has led a Memphis team that is considered among the NBA’s best defensive squads. Allen was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive first team last week. (Photo by Justin Ford)

got to have a vision. And even with Rudy being gone, it might have altered the vision a little bit, might have been a little bit tougher on guys to do it, but the vision stays the same. I still believed (after the trade) that we had a chance. I still believed that if certain guys step up, that we could be just as good, that we could be a good team.”

While Hollins publicly acknowledged he wasn’t in favor of the Grizzlies bargaining Gay, he said among the things he appreciates mostly about his team is the camaraderie his players have established in the aftermath of the trade, a key characteristic he feels has benefited the Grizzlies immensely in the playoffs.

“Well, that’s why they pay me the big bucks,” Hollins jokingly said. “That’s the hardest part of coaching…motivating, getting them to accept their roles, getting them to play together. You do those three things and you got talent, you have a good chance of winning. It’s a difficult proposition. There’s a lot of ways to go about it. I’m not going to tell you how I go about it because it’s not good for TV.”

The Grizzlies, appearing in the conference finals for the first time since the team’s inception in 1995 (Vancouver), have certainly been must-see TV this postseason, a trend this town has relished since Gay — whom many labeled an ambassador for the city of Memphis during his stint here — was sent north of the border.

As for whether Memphis is better off since trading Gay, it’s safe to assume the longest-tenured Grizzly is being careful to use his words wisely.

“I think it’s a different team without Rudy,” Conley said.

With a straight face.

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

10 Artists Who Should Sing The National Anthem At Upcoming Grizzlies Playoff Games

May 17, 2013 by C.J. Hurt 2 Comments

Photo by Justin Ford

For the first time in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies have advanced to the Western Conference Finals (Now only four franchises in the NBA have never made it to a Conference Final).

With their victory over the Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Grizzlies revenge tour is complete. In this year’s playoff run, Memphis has eliminated both of the teams that eliminated them in the past two postseasons.

It is hard to believe Memphis has made it within four wins of the NBA Finals, especially with the questions surrounding the team throughout the year. Like, what should be done to get the franchise under the salary cap? Should Memphis trade Zach Randolph (few things seem funnier than this notion now) or should they trade Rudy Gay (this is one of those things)? Will Mike Conley ever emerge as an elite point guard? What does grit and grind even mean?

These questions, and more, have been answered with the Grizzlies stellar play this postseason. However, one pressing question remains…

With the Grizzlies advancing and getting a chance to host at least two more home playoff games (possibly six if they advance to the Finals), who should the fine people at FedExForum get to perform “The Star Spangled Banner”?

Some famous people who have already sang the national anthem at a Grizzlies playoff game over the past few years include: Al Green, Ruby Wilson, Zach Myers, The Voice’s Patrick Dodd, Grizzlies PA announcer Rick Trotter

After having an interactive discussion on MSL with many Grizzlies fans, a list has been compiled.

Here is a list of possible national anthem singers the Grizzlies should consider:

1. Justin Timberlake (Get Andy Samberg there and have “Grizz in a Box” performed at halftime too)

2. Jerry Lee Lewis

3. Lisa Marie Presley

4. B.B. King (and Lucille)

5. Hologram Elvis

6. Star and Micey (The city’s No. 3 band performing for the Western Conference’s No. 1 team)

7. Amy Lavere

8. Alexis Grace

9. Muck Sticky (He wants to do it)

10. Cybill Shepard

CJ Hurt covers NBA basketball for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from games.

Lionel Hollins hints Grizzlies mirror 1977 Portland Trail Blazers championship squad

May 16, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

EARNING RESPECT — Grizzlies forward Tayshaun Prince soars for two of his eight points in Monday night’s 103-97 come-from-behind win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis closed out the best-of-7 series Wednesday to advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Lionel Hollins’ second year with the Portland Trail Blazers in 1976-77 is one in which he will forever cherish.

Coached by Hall of Famer Jack Ramsay, the Trail Blazers finished the regular season 49-33, a run that was comprised of a memorable postseason run and ended with the franchise’s first world championship after Portland’s defeat of the Philadelphia 76ers in six games in the NBA Finals.

As Hollins found himself on Thursday harking back on the memories of his second professional season, the Grizzlies coach was ultimately brought to smiles. Hollins, in fact, hinted at the notion that he likens the Grizzlies to the Blazers’ championship team of the late 1970s, a squad that, like his Memphis team that advanced to its first Western Conference finals in franchise history Wednesday night after eliminating the Oklahoma City Thunder, had to endure a cohesive mending process.

“I go back to when I came here in (2001) and then when I took over five years ago,” Hollins said. “The stands were empty. Nobody was talking about the Grizzlies. You didn’t see any Grizz apparel around town. Now you see flags on cars. You see posters in the windows of office buildings. You see signs up on office buildings. It’s wonderful. And as I told the team, we have to create the excitement. We create the excitement by going out and playing a brand of basketball they like to see. And when you do, the fans will definitely come out and take a part in it and embrace it.”

While the Grizzlies’ masterful display in recent weeks has made securing playoff tickets virtually hard to come by — there have been 14 consecutive postseason sellouts in FedExForum — and created a buzz throughout city that has been crippled by segregation since the 1960s, there are some who sense that Memphis’ historical run to the conference finals is erroneous, considering the Grizzlies emerged as favorites to beat the top-seeded Thunder after Russell Westbrook sustained a season-ending knee injury in Game 2 of the playoffs’ opening-round.

“Miami is the best team in the league,” ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd said Thursday on Mike And Mike In The Morning. “I don’t buy

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins on Thursday hinted with reporters that this year's Memphis team reminds him of the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers team that won the NBA championship. Hollins played for Portland from 1975-1980. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins on Thursday hinted that this year’s Memphis team reminds him of the 1976-77 Portland Trail Blazers team that won the NBA championship. Hollins played for Portland from 1975-1980. (Photo by Justin Ford)

into any of the teams in the West, the Spurs or Memphis. Memphis wouldn’t be here if not for injury to Russell Westbrook.”

Hollins discredited Cowherd’s comments, going as far as to compare the Grizzlies’ success to other teams who enjoyed lengthy postseason runs following the injuries to marquee players.

“If that’s the case, the Lakers’ series was flawed when Isaiah Thomas hurt his ankle and the Lakers won (NBA title in 1988),” Hollins said. “The Pistons have to say their championship (in 1989) was flawed because Magic (Johnson) and Byron Scott went down before the series started when both went down with hamstring injuries. Every year, every playoff, somebody gets hurt or doesn’t play as well as we expect them to, and you have to live with that, not being successful. And the winner, it doesn’t really matter.”

What’s essential in the meantime as the Grizzlies await the Golden State-San Antonio winner, Hollins said, is to ensure his players rejuvenate for the conference finals and, most importantly, refrain from becoming caught up in all the hoopla and national media attention they have acquired in recent weeks.

“I told them to stay focused,” Hollins said. “I told them, ‘You were the same person before they knew. You were the same team before they knew. So don’t get caught into what they’re saying.’”

Especially since they have proven on a national stage to be a team that’s destined to chase more history.

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

Thunder star Kevin Durant on his mother: ‘I’m just happy to have her’

May 12, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

While addressing reporters in the Grizzlies’ practice facility Sunday morning, Kevin Durant tried his best to sum up Saturday’s Game 3 loss to Memphis, he felt the Oklahoma City Thunder “let get away.”

“I missed shots,” Durant said, who registered a game-high 25 points and 11 rebounds Saturday. “No excuses. I missed shots…shots that I have to make for my team. It doesn’t matter the lineup on the court. So I felt bad because I didn’t come through my team last night.”

MOM KNOWS BEST — Despite managing a double-double (game-high 25 points and registering 11 rebounds) Saturday’s 87-81 loss in Game 3 against the Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant said Sunday his professional career wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for his mother, Wanda Pratt, with whom Durant has a well-publicized close relationship.(Photo by Justin Ford)

Though the Thunder were held to their worst scoring and shooting performances of the postseason en route to an 87-81 loss to the Grizzlies in FedExForum in a game that wasn’t decided until the final minute, Durant seemed rather sanguine as he and the Thunder look ahead to Monday night’s pivotal Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals best-of-7 playoff series at 8:30 CST in Memphis.

Exhibiting a slight grin, Durant even took the time on Mother’s Day to acknowledge to his mother, Wanda Pratt, with whom the 24-year-old superstar has had a well-publicized close-knit relationship ever since he was born in the Washington, D. C. area in 1988.

“It’s bigger than basketball, man, I’ll tell you that,” said Durant, when asked to describe his relationship with his mother. “To have family around is the most important thing in the world.”

Like many of his peers who grew up in a single parent household, Pratt developed a commitment to steering Durant and his three siblings (two brothers and one sister) in the right direction. Even without a father around, Pratt consented to the slim, lanky Durant playing competitive basketball when he was 11 years. Even during that time, Durant had lofty aspirations of playing professionally although his mother was basically allowing him to shoot hoops as an outlet to stay out of trouble and, perhaps, earn a full-ride scholarship to college.

Fortunately for Durant, his craftiness on the court didn’t go unnoticed by a neighborhood recreational center coach, who was responsible for helping steer him to the University of Texas and, ultimately, green pastures of the NBA.

While Durant spent countless hours in the gymnasium upgrading his mechanics, his mother for years worked the graveyard shift, loading heavy bags of mail onto postal trucks so she could care after her children. While at work, Durant’s grandmother and aunt looked out for him and his siblings.

As Durant, a three-time NBA scoring champion and four-time All-Star, tells it, witnessing the sacrifices his mother made to ensure her children’s needs were met and that they would be raised in a carefree environment prompted him to work harder to achieve his dream. There were times, in fact, that Durant admittedly wanted to skip practice and give up basketball all together. But Pratt, who didn’t allow Durant to go to movies and hang out with friends much, didn’t make quitting hoops easy for him.

It’s a good thing she didn’t.

The NBA’s second-leading scorer, Durant is considered one of the best basketball players in the world for a Thunder team is caught up in a brutal, physical series with the Grizzlies. Whether shorthanded Oklahoma City — which lost point guard Russell Westbrook to a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago — will reach the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year remains a mystery, although Durant said he is eager to get back on the court for Game 4.

Still, on Sunday, while trying his best to assess how Game 3 slipped away in the waning moments of regulation, Durant made it a point to pay homage to the woman whom he deems the mastermind behind his celebrity.

“Every step of the way, it’s such a blessing,” Durant said. “And I’m just happy to have her.”

A close-knit bond that, as Durant said with a smile, is bigger than basketball.

That’s for certain.

Andre Johnson covers the NBA for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

10 Ideas For New Grizzlies Growl Towels

May 5, 2013 by C.J. Hurt 4 Comments

The “We Don’t Bluff” growl towels were a huge hit with fans in the Grindhouse. (Photo by Justin Ford)

With their win over the Clippers in Game 6, the Grizzlies have advanced to the second round of the NBA Playoffs for just the second time in franchise history.

There are several reasons to be excited for their upcoming matchup against the Thunder. After all, it is a rematch of the 2011 series (the Grizzlies fell in seven games). The winner advances to the Western Conference Finals, and fans will get at least two more chances to get some of the best towels in professional sports.

Thanks to the uniquely Memphis phrases (and the passion of the people waving them), the growl towels have become as Memphis as Elvis and barbeque.

So far, during these playoffs we have seen towels with “Grit”, “Grind”, and “We don’t bluff.” All of which are great phrases to put on a towel, but are there enough sayings unique to Memphis to make up different towels for the possible 9 home playoff games remaining this season? Absolutely.

After having an interactive discussion on MSL with many Grizzlies fans, a list has been compiled.

Here is the list of possible growl towels the Grizzlies should consider:

1. I’ll beat Yo’ A$$

2. Made in Memphis

3. Grind Forth

4. United We Grind

5. Taking Care of Grizzness

6. Whoop That Trick (On the back it would say GET ‘EM)

7. Rudy Who

8. 901 (with the 0 being the Grizz logo)

9. Welcome To Memphis

10. GnG (Grit and Grind)

CJ Hurt covers NBA basketball for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from games.

Even without Westbrook, Thunder are a dangerous foe, Lionel Hollins says

May 4, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

The Memphis Grizzlies won two of three meetings this year against the Oklahoma City Thunder with point guard Russell Westbrook in the lineup.

Though the three-time All-Star is less than two weeks removed from a season-ending knee injury he suffered in Game 2 of the Thunder’s opening-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said he isn’t buying into the notion that his team has emerged as the favorite to knock off the Western Conference’s top-seeded team in a series that starts Sunday in Oklahoma City at 12 p.m. CST.

Marc Gasol and the Grizzlies will likely have their hands full trying to contain Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant (left), whose 28.1 points per game is second-best in the NBA. (Photo by Chris Evans)

“You know, you’ve got to go play,” Hollins said after the Grizzlies’ 118-105 closeout win in Game 6 over the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night in FedExForum. “That’s the thing everybody keep saying, ‘Oh you can beat them because he’s out.’ They just won a series with him out. They’re a good team.”

Like the Grizzlies, Oklahoma City needed six games to eliminate the Rockets in a series in which it seemed the Thunder would win easily before Westbrook’s injury. The Thunder, who own home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs, won Game 1 in a rout, 120-91, at Chesapeake Energy Arena, as Westbrook nearly registered a triple-double with 19 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.

Then in the Thunder’s 105-102 win in Game 2, Westbrook and fellow star Kevin Durant each scored 29 points. A five-year veteran, Westbrook played 37 minutes in that game, but unfavorable news would follow for the Thunder although they had taken a 2-0 lead in the series. Team officials announced that Westbrook would miss the remainder of the playoffs because of a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. Westbrook went down in the second quarter of Game 2 when Houston Rockets rookie Patrick Beverley went for a steal and ran into his knee.

Despite squandering a 26-point first-half lead in Game 3, the Thunder eventually prevailed and took a 3-0 lead against the Rockets behind Durant’s 41-point outburst. However, over the next two games, the Thunder appeared affected by the absence of Westbrook, the team’s second-leading scorer who averaged better than 23 points per game during the regular season. Also, the former UCLA star accounted for roughly a third of the possessions for a Thunder team that advanced to the NBA Finals last year.

Houston won the next two outings, including a 107-100 win at Oklahoma City in Game 5 before the Thunder ended the suspense with a 103-94 road win Friday night to close out the series.

Against the Grizzlies, one of the NBA’s best defensive teams that won a franchise-record 56 games during the regular season, Westbrook’s absence would provide Hollins with more resources to throw at Kevin Martin, Westbrook’s replacement. Still, he said upending a Thunder team that is the league’s second-most efficient offensive squad (110.2 points per 100 possessions) won’t come easily, considering Durant, the NBA’s second-leading scorer (28.1 ppg), is capable of catching fire at any given moment.

“They’re not just a one-man team,” Hollins said. “They’re a good team and we have to go play and earn whatever we get in this series. I feel good about our team simply because where we’re at mentally and physically we’re in good health. And we’ve been playing pretty decent. That’s why I feel pretty good about my team. I’m not worried about who they have or don’t have. We have to go out there and play according to our abilities.”

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

Filed Under: Grizzlies, NBA, The Big Features Tagged With: Daily Oklahoman, ESPN.COM, FoxSports.com, Kevin Durant, Lionel Hollins, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA.COM, NBATV, Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook, Western Conference Playoffs, Yahoo.com

Grizzlies hope Randolph’s assertive play is sign of things to come against Thunder

May 4, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

SHOWING OFF — The Los Angeles Clippers couldn’t find any answers for Zach Randolph (left), who led the Grizzlies to an opening-round playoff series win over the Clippers. Memphis, after dropping the first two games, reeled off four straight wins to take the series, 4-2. (Photo by Justin Ford

The Staples Center will be closed for business on Sunday.

Zach Randolph had much to do with it.

Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies’ leading scorer and go-to player throughout their opening-round Western Conference playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, continued to demonstrate why he is considered one of the NBA’s elite power forwards.

The 12-year veteran showed why earning his second All-Star appearance in February wasn’t a fortuity one year after battling back from a torn medial collateral ligament and witnessing his effectiveness significantly reduced in Memphis’ opening-round defeat to the Clippers.

The 6-foot-9 Randolph, to his credit, proved why many media pundits believe he’s still essentially in the prime of his career, considering his remarkable performance against the Clippers was reminiscent of his memorable postseason display two seasons ago.

So with Game 6 effectively out of reach with 1:57 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday night in FedExForum, Randolph, who had been involved in physical confrontations with Clippers power forward Blake Griffin throughout a majority of the series, was hit with his second technical foul for taunting, which resulted in his subsequent ejection.

“It felt good especially from last year until what happened to this year, so it felt good,” Randolph, exhibiting a smile, said when asked about his rare disqualification. “Like I said, it is over with. We won the series. Now we have to get back focused.”

Randolph, who staged yet another exuberant performance in what turned out to be a closeout game for Memphis, didn’t seemed bewildered that he was sent to the showers before game’s end. While walking off the court, Randolph removed his signature headband, hurled it into the stands behind the Grizzlies’ bench, then skipped through the tunnel as the raucous FedExForum sellout crowd cheered in wonderment.

For the first time in two years, the Grizzlies are headed back to the Western Conference semifinals, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder starting Sunday at 12 p.m. CST in a rematch of their 2011 postseason meeting. The Grizzlies, despite losing the first two games of the series against the Clippers, exhibited a wealth of poise and resilience in rallying to eliminate an L. A. team that won three of four meetings against them during the regular season.

The Grizzlies, in fact, ended the series with four consecutive wins, largely because the Clippers couldn’t find any answers for Randolph, who averaged 20.4 points and 8.6 rebounds in the opening round and scored virtually at will against the opposition’s post players. Memphis’ 118-105 win Friday not only erased the memory of last year’s playoff loss to the Clippers in seven games, but it denied L. A. a chance to host a decisive Game 7.

Yes, Staples Center will be closed for business on Sunday, and Randolph had much to do with it.

Randolph and Clippers power forward Blake Griffin had to be seperated after they were involved in a scuffled near the midway point of the third quarter Friday night. (Photo by Justin Ford)

“After the first game, we had to figure out that we were going to have to change where he was (on the floor),” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “They were doing a good job on double-teaming him. We showed him film, moved him to different spots, moved him to the elbow, moved him to the wing, and when he put the ball on the floor, he was able to see where they were coming from and that took the pressure off of him.”

That Hollins adjusted his offense after Memphis had fallen into an 0-2 hole in an attempt to get the 31-year-old Randolph more engaged ultimately proved perplexing to the Clippers’ post players. Such was the case Friday when Randolph and Griffin were involved in a third-quarter skirmish on a box-out underneath the basket with inside of seven minutes remaining. Griffin, who didn’t start and played less than 14 minutes because of an ankle injury coach Vinny Del Negro said was the “size of a grapefruit,” had a hand in Randolph’s face on the box-out, causing both players to become off-balanced. Randolph consequently broke the fall by hooking Griffin to the ground, but Griffin drove his elbow into Randolph’s throat before the players were separated.

The incident resulted in Randolph’s first of two technical fouls on the night. Still, the 260-pound Randolph admittedly welcomes the physicality, given he believes the Grizzlies will encounter similar rough play against Thunder, who ended Memphis’ postseason run two years ago.

“I don’t even know what happened,” said Randolph, when asked about his latest run-in with Griffin. “He was going down and tried to pull me down and I just tried to brace myself. (The Thunder) are a physical team. We’re just going to go out and play Grizzlies basketball and focus on ourselves and try not get into any altercations.”

If, by chance, Randolph and Co. find themselves quarreling with opposing players come Sunday, it won’t be in Staples Center, which will be closed for business.

The Grizzlies are moving on and Randolph had much to do with it.

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.

Chris Webber says Grizzlies-Clippers winner could be favorite to beat Thunder

April 28, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

BLOCK PARTY — If Tayshaun Prince (left) and Grizzlies advance to the semifinals of the Western Conference playoffs, TNT analyst Chris Webber believes Memphis could emerge as the favorite to upset Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are without point guard Russell Westbrook for the remainder of the postseason due to a knee injury (Photo by Chris Evans)

The season-ending injury to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook has changed virtually the entire landscape of the NBA playoffs, most notably the series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies.

At least that is how TNT analyst Chris Webber on Saturday assessed the injury of Westbrook, a three-time All-Star and one of the league’s premiere point guards.

The Thunder entered the postseason as the top-seeded team in the Western Conference and heavy favorites to make their second consecutive NBA Finals appearance. Such talks seem to have dwindled since team officials on Friday announced that Westbrook would be out for the remainder of the playoffs after a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee he sustained in Game 2. Westbrook went down in the second quarter of that game when Houston Rockets rookie Patrick Beverley went for a steal and collided into his knee.

The winner of the Clippers-Grizzlies series, which resume Tuesday night with Game 5 in the Staples Center at 9:30 CST, will play the winner of the Rockets-Thunder matchup. If Oklahoma City, which took a 3-0 lead in their best-of-7 series opening-round series, eliminates Houston, Webber said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Thunder become underdogs to advance to the Western Conference finals now that Westbrook is done for the season.

“You’ve still got to earn it, whether it’s San Antonio,” Webber said. “I do think that in the back of your mind, you’ve got to think you want to get out of this (Clippers-Grizzlies) series because you can believe you’re the favorite. It’s understandable. I mean, you had one of the best records in the league. And now you lose your point guard, so what you’re going to do?”

While the Thunder, who owned the league’s second-best record behind the Miami Heat, still boast the depth to make a run at the NBA Finals, Webber said it would certainly take some doing, given Oklahoma City is without Westbrook, its second-leading scorer who averaged 23.2 points during the regular season. The league’s sixth-leading scorer, the 24-year-old Westbrook had never missed a game during his five-year professional career, a streak that spanned 439 games before his injury.

“Yeah, it has brought more meaning to every series,” said Webber, who played 15 NBA seasons before retiring in March 2008. “When you lose one of the best point guards in the game, you’re going to have trouble shooting, scoring, facilitating, and doing a lot of things. So I feel bad personally for Westbrook, No. 1. But OKC is definitely going to be affected by it. How? It’s up to them to decide and make that point. When you lose a guy like Westbrook, you can’t be as good.”

In Saturday’s Game 3 at Houston, the Thunder didn’t appear affected by Westbrook’s absence until the third quarter. Behind Kevin

Chris Webber

Durant’s game-high 41 points, Oklahoma City led by as many as 26 points in the second quarter, but had to withstand a furious second-half rally by the Rockets before escaping, 104-101, to assume a three games to none lead.

The biggest concern at this point, Webber said, is whether Durant’s offensive prowess can be sustained without Westbrook in the fold.

“They’re going to have to figure out a way to get some scoring possessions,” Webber said. “I mean, (Westbrook averages) over 23 points. So how do you just find that? You can’t just say OKC is left for dead, but they’re nowhere near the explosive team they were when they had Westbrook.”

Zach Randolph (left) and Blake Griffin have been involved in a slugfest, of sorts, through four games of the Clippers-Grizzlies best-of-7 playoff series. Whichever team prevails could likely be the favorite to upend Oklahoma City following the season-ending knee injury to Westbrook. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Clippers veteran guard Chauncey Billups, meanwhile, contends the winner of the Clippers-Grizzlies series won’t necessarily have a clear-cut path to the conference finals. As Billups tells it, such talks are premature, given the Clippers and Grizzlies are deadlocked at two games apiece.

“(Westbrook’s injury) really has nothing to do with this series…nothing whatsoever,” Billups said. “I mean, I’m pretty sure if Russell was playing, whatever team gets through this (series) is going to fight just as harder. So that really doesn’t come to play in this series. When we get there, then we’ll talk about it. They’re obviously a different team without him. But we’ve got to worry about Game 5 to be honest with you.”

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Also, follow him on Twiter @AJ_Journalist.