CHRIS PAUL

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.

Filed Under: Grizzlies, NBA, The Big Features Tagged With: BLAKE GRIFFIN, CHRIS PAUL, Chris Webber, ESPN LOS ANGELES, ESPN.COM, FoxSports.com, Houston Chronicle, Houston Rockets, Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Times, Los Angles Daily News, Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA Finals, NBA Playoffs, NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE, Oklahoma City Thunder, Russell Westbrook, TNT Sports, Zach Randolph

What must happen for the Grizzlies to even the series against the Clippers

April 26, 2013 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

A must win Game 3 saw Memphis come out in desperate fashion to ensure that this first round playoff series would not result in a sweep. So far neither team has been able to steal a game on the road, which is a good thing for the Grizzlies going into Game 4 in FedExForum. The Grizzlies are 32-9 at home this season, proving that The Grindhouse is one of the most difficult places for opposing teams to win in the NBA.

A big game from Darrell Arthur off the bench will go a long way in helping Memphis ensure the series will return to the Grindhouse for a pivotal game six. (Photo by Justin Ford)

A big game four from Darrell Arthur, off the bench, will go a long way in helping Memphis ensure the series will return to the Grindhouse for a pivotal game six.
(Photo by Justin Ford)

The last thing Memphis wants to do is go back to Staples Center down 3-1. A Game 4 loss would mean the Grizzlies would have to win twice in L.A. where they are just 2-8 against the Clippers the past two seasons including the playoffs (1-4 against the Clippers on the road in the playoffs).

Game 4 is another must win game for Memphis, and here is a look at 5 Things the Grizzlies must do to even this series up:

1). Contain Chris Paul
This is a feat that is easier said than done. After all, CP3 is a four time All-NBA selection, and capable of taking over a game during pivotal stretches (like he did in Game 2). However, Memphis showed in Game 3 that it is not impossible to slow down the six time All Star. He was averaging 19.2 points and 8.4 assists in five games against the Memphis this year, but he was held to just eight points and four assists in the Grizzlies Game 3 victory. It was the first time this year Memphis held Paul to single digit points, and rendered him ineffective for most of the contest. There were multiple defenders around him all night long, which disrupted the Clippers pick and roll offense (something that they were able to run extremely well in the first two games of the series). If the Grizzlies plan to even the series, slowing down Paul has to be at the top of their to do list.

2). Win the battle in the paint
No surprises here, especially considering Memphis is 0-3 against the Clippers this season when L.A. outscores the Grizzlies in the paint. Memphis is shooting a woeful 28.3 percent from behind the arc, and 43.5 percent from the field in this playoff series, which makes getting good shots from in the lane all the more important. In Game 3, the Grizz did a great job of dominating the paint, outscoring the Clippers by 14 points in that category. They were led by Zach Randolph who finished the game with 27 points and 11 rebounds, for his first double-double of the series.

3). Get quality minutes from the bench
The much maligned Memphis bench got a boost from Quincy Pondexter in Game 3, and they will need to replicate their overall effort to beat L.A. in Game 4. The Clippers have one of the best benches in the league, and outscoring them is not something that happens too often. However, nobody is asking the Grizzlies bench players to do that. The only thing they need to do is give Coach Hollins quality and mistake free minutes, so that the starters can rest and be ready for the inevitable late game push.

4). Continue feeding Zach Randolph
It is simple, he is the All-Star on the team, and the most dangerous scorer on the team, so your best option is to make sure he gets plenty of touches. Z-Bo had 18 field goal attempts in game three after having just 20 combined in games one and two. He has been extremely efficient in the series and is shooting 53 percent from the field, which is all the more reason to get him the ball in scoring position. Randolph has to do his part also and create scoring opportunities for himself in the form of offensive rebounds (He had six Thursday after having four combined in the first two games of the series). Another big game from Randolph would certainly improve the probability this series goes back to L.A. nodded up at two games apiece.

5). Hold the Clippers under 90 points
Memphis had the best defense in the NBA this season, allowing opponents to average just 89.3 points per game. However, L.A. is averaging just under 95 points per game against Memphis this year, which is well over the Grizzlies season average. In fact, the seven times these two teams have met this year, the Grizzlies have allowed the Clippers to score more than 90 points five times. All of these times have resulted in losses for Memphis (subsequently Memphis held the Clippers under 90 points in both of their victories this season). Holding the Clippers under 90 points means that the Grizzlies are controlling the tempo by not turning the ball over, securing rebounds (both offensive and defensive), and not giving up easy buckets in transition.

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

Grizzlies star Mike Conley having more of a vocal presence as postseason looms

March 24, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

As the longest-tenured player on the Grizzzlies' roster, point guard Mike Conley (right) has become more of a vocal presence of late, something that has benefited the team mightily since the All-Star break, coach Lionel Hollin said. (Photo by Justin Ford)

TAKING CONTROL: As the longest-tenured player on the Grizzlies’ roster, point guard Mike Conley (right) has become more of a vocal presence of late, something that has benefited the team mightily since the All-Star break, coach Lionel Hollins said. (Photo by Justin Ford)

When Mike Conley starts talking, his teammates make certain to listen.

Such was the case during the Memphis Grizzlies’ game Friday night at the New Orleans Hornets.

Conley, the Grizzlies’ point guard who, early in his professional career, had developed a reputation as one of the quietest players on the roster, surprisingly called out shooting guard Tony Allen during a pivotal stretch Allen described as a “shooting zone” for the five-year veteran.

“He told me to get my bleep (expletive) back,” Allen said.

When asked how he responded to Conley’s unorthodox command, Allen, displaying a smile, said, “Nothing…I got back. That kind of surprised me coming from Mike Conley. That goes to show he’s growing as a point guard and taking control of the team. I just like the feistiness he’s brought and I just want him to keep bringing it, man.”

Fortunately for the Grizzlies, Conley’s keen desire to refrain from remaining tight-lipped has proven beneficial to a Memphis team many essentially had written off before the All-Star break, given an assortment of midseason transactions that included trading former franchise player Rudy Gay to Toronto.

The 25-year-old Conley has since emerged as the catalyst of a Grizzlies squad that has generated an 18-7 mark, has twice gone from fourth to third place in the Western Conference standings and, in February, matched its season-best eight-game undefeated streak since the organization dealt Gay on January 30. His surge in recent weeks includes a season-high 24 points on 9-of-21 field goals in last week’s 90-89 home win against Oklahoma City.

“I think this is his best season,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said of Conley. “He’s grown in so many ways, as has our team. It’s just a normal maturation process that comes for good players. Every player doesn’t come in and become a Kobe Bryant or LeBron James. Some just have a nice career. You keep getting better and helping your team win. That’s what the NBA is about.”

The longest-tenured Grizzly, Conley, the team’s third-leading scorer, also has assumed a more assertive approach offensively. Since returning from the All-Star break, the former Ohio State star has managed to score in double figures in all except one outing (season-low five points on 2-of-13 field goals against Dallas Feb. 27) and has witnessed his scoring average increase to 13.9 points per game.

Add to the fact that Conley is second in the NBA behind Los Angeles Clippers star Chris Paul in steals (2.3 steals per game), and it’s no wonder he’s starting to earn mentions among the elite point guards in the league.

“In my eyes,” he’s a boarder-line All-Star,” Boston Celtics veteran forward Paul Pierce said of Conley following Saturday night’s 110-106 loss to Memphis in FedExForum. “He’s one of the most solid players in the league. He’s matured over the years and he’s shown he could be a leader of a ball club. It’s showing out there on the floor.”

Unlike in recent years, when Conley’s roles were comprised mostly of orchestrating the pick at roll offense and distributing the ball to the post players, the Fayetteville, Ark. native remains adamant his time has finally come to have more of an all-around impact for a Grizzlies team that clinched its third consecutive postseason berth with Utah’s loss at Dallas Sunday night.

“I think with the trades and everything that happened,” my roles changed,” Conley said after registering 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting in 37-plus minutes Saturday against the Celtics. “And I had to be a little bit more aggressive offensively. I have a little more responsibilities, a little more freedom. I had to become more confident and aggressive and so far, it’s working.”

Conley, Memphis' third-leading scorer, was one of seven Grizzlies players to register double figures in Saturday night's 110-106 win against the Boston Celtics in FedExForum. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Conley, Memphis’ third-leading scorer, was one of seven Grizzly players to register double figures in Saturday night’s 110-106 win against the Boston Celtics in FedExForum. (Photo by Justin Ford)

As Conley tells it, no one had to inspire him to assume the proverbial “marquee player” intellect.

“I kind of looked around (after the midseason trades) and I said, ‘Who’s going to do it?’ Conley said. “I knew JB (Grizzlies backup point guard Jerryd Bayless) has the talent to do it. I know I can do it, and I think as guards of this team, we have to pick it up in our backcourt and help the big guys out. I’ve been here the longest, so I feel like I’ve invested more to this team than anybody. You know, I speak my mind a lot more than I used to do.”

Allen, more than any other Grizzly, admittedly welcomes Conley’s newfound vocal approach. So much, in fact, that he hopes to see more of it as the postseason looms.

“Mike Conley has proven he’s in the discussion as one of the elite point guards in the league,” Allen said. “When you get through talking about (Chicago Bulls Derrick) Roses, (Brooklyn Nets) Deron Williams, Chris Paul, (Oklahoma City Russell) Westbrook, you’ve got to throw Mike Conley in there. I just like the fact that he has more of a sense of urgency, that he’s more of a vocal leader, more of a distributor and scorer.

“When he came back from the All-Star break, he was more of a dominant player guy. He was more in control, I believe, distributing the ball, getting Zach (Randolph) and Marc (Gasol) involved, g0t me involved. He’s talking on the bench. He’s vocal in the huddle. The quiet Mike that we once knew isn’t quiet anymore.”

Given his stellar all-around play of late coupled with his willingness to sound off, don’t expect Conley to revert back to mute anytime soon.

Andre Johnson covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. To reach Johnson, email him at andre@memphisport.net. Follow him @AJ_Journalist.

Chris Paul: Grizzlies would be ‘crazy’ to trade star Rudy Gay before season’s end

January 15, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

Chris Paul, who missed Monday's game at the Grizzlies because of a knee injury, said Memphis would be "crazy" if it trades Rudy Gay before next month's trade deadline. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who missed Monday’s game at the Grizzlies because of a knee injury, said Memphis would be “crazy” if it trades Rudy Gay before next month’s trade deadline. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Chris Paul and Rudy Gay go way back.

Never mind the two were involved in a rather intense opening-round playoffs series last year.

When asked Monday during the Los Angeles Clippers’ shootaround in FedExForum to assess the latest rumors surrounding a possible trade involving Gay before the February 21 deadline, Paul, as he customarily is with the media, was forthright about the subject.

“Rudy is one of my closet friends,” Paul said. “Rudy was at my wedding. His fiancé and my wife talk every day. So they’d be crazy to get rid of Rudy.”

Gay, now in his seventh seasons with the Grizzlies, missed Monday’s game against the Clippers to attend the funeral of his grandmother in his native hometown of Baltimore but is expected to return for Wednesday’s game at San Antonio. If nothing else, Memphis certainly appeared affected by Gay’s absence, given it shot a season-worst 30 percent from the field and suffered its worst home loss of the season, 99-73, against a Clippers team that boasts the NBA’s second-best record.

In dropping their second straight, the Grizzlies (24-12) also produced their lowest scoring output of the season, in large part because they couldn’t exhibit enough energy to atone for Gay’s team-leading 17.8 points per game.

During the Grizzlies’ recent struggles, particularly in December when they generated a 7-7 mark, talks surrounding a possible trade involving Gay increased. Team officials reportedly began talks with other franchises that Gay could be available via trade prior to next month’s deadline. And, according to various reports last week, the Phoenix Suns have shown serious interest in acquiring the 26-year-old small forward, whose drafts rights were acquired by Memphis from Houston in July 2006.

Though the Grizzlies have faced continuous luxury tax issues in recent years — the team reportedly is more than $4 million over the league’s tax line — Paul said moving Gay at this stage in the season could prove ruinous in the coming months for a team that is considered a threat to come out of the West.

“Rudy is a big piece to that team,” said Paul, who is listed as day-to-day after sitting out Monday’s game because of contusion to his right knee he sustained in Saturday’s loss to Orlando. “Without him, they definitely have to make adjustments. You can’t replace Rudy with any one person in their locker room. They’d be crazy to trade Rudy.”

Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford, who was the catalyst of Monday’s win with a team-high 16 points off the bench, said while trading Gay would be a premature move by the Grizzlies, his presence elsewhere would be a considerable upgrade for whichever team lands him.

“It happens,” Crawford said. “I mean, it happened to me and Zach (Grizzlies power forward Randolph) in New York. I mean, I’m not in their business like that, so I don’t know why they would do it. Rudy is a heck of a player and anybody would be glad to have him.”

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

Filed Under: Grizzlies, The Big Features Tagged With: cbssports.com, CHRIS PAUL, ESPN.COM, FoxSports.com, Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE, nbcsports.com, phoenix suns, Rudy Gay, San Antonio Spurs, Sports 56 WHBQ, Yahoo.com, Zach Randolph

Clippers point guard Chris Paul remains hopeful he will play against Grizzlies

January 14, 2013 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

Clippers point Chris Paul (middle) said after Monday’s shootaround in FedExForum he hopes to play against the Grizzlies, despite a knee injury he suffered in Saturday’s loss to Orlando in Staple’s Center. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Rudy Gay won’t be the only marquee player who will miss Monday night’s Western Conference showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers versus the Memphis Grizzlies at 7 in FedExForum.

During the Clippers’ morning shootaround Monday, team officials announced that point guard Chris Paul will likely sit out the game after a contusion to his right knee he sustained after bumping knees with Orlando’s J. J. Reddick in the fourth quarter of their game Saturday in the Staple’s Center.

The Magic eventually upended the Clippers, 104-101, and against Memphis in a rematch of last year’s first-round Western Conference best-of-7 playoff series, L. A. will be looking to avoid a two-game losing streak. Owners of the NBA’s second-best record behind Oklahoma City, the Clippers have won 20 of their last 23 outings, including manufacturing a franchise-best 17 consecutive wins before witnessing their undefeated streak end in a 92-78 New Year’s Day loss at Denver.

While team officials have said that Paul will be sidelined for Monday’s game, the seven-year veteran still remains hopeful he will play. Sporting a black jobbing suit and ballcap, Paul did not participate in the one-hour shootaround, but complained of slight soreness to his knee.

“It’s getting better, slowly but surely,” Paul told reporters. “I don’t know yet. If a miracle comes through…I mean, I want to play. No question, I want to play. But if I feel like I’ll hinder it, I won’t play.”

Without Paul — who registered 12 points in 4-of-10 shooting in a 101-92 win against Memphis in the season-opener for both teams October 31 — in the lineup, knocking off the Grizzlies for a third consecutive time dating back to last season certainly will take some doing. Paul is second on the team in scoring (16.9 points per game), and first in assists (9.7), steals (2.62) and minutes played (33.4). Most importantly, the five-time All-Star is credited for bringing respectability to a franchise that was among the NBA’s worst for years before he was acquired in a three-team trade by the Clippers in December 2011 from New Orleans.

“It’s a little swollen,” Paul said of his knee that he had wrapped during Monday’s shootaround. “I hope I can get it down by game time. During (Saturday’s) game, your adrenaline is running and everything like that. And when I came back in the game, (Orlando point guard) Jameer Nelson whispered to me. He was like, ‘It’s going to hurt in the morning.’ He was right.”

If Paul can’t go, second-year guard Eric Bledsoe, who averages 8.4 points and 18-plus minutes per game, will likely replace him for his first start of the season.

Like Paul, Gay, the Grizzlies’ franchise player and leading scorer, will miss tonight’s game. Gay, who has been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, is home in Baltimore to attend the funeral service of his grandmother.

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said after Monday’s shootaround that Wayne Ellington will replace Gay in the lineup. Shooting guard Tony Allen, meanwhile, is expected to see valuable minutes at small forward.

“Well, with Rudy out, we don’t have a three (small forward),” Hollins said. “With Rudy and Quincy (Pondexter) out (MCL sprain), we don’t have long, athletic, wing players. It’s a business. You just go with the group you have out there and try and play well.”

The Clippers eliminated the Grizzlies in seven games in last year’s opening round of the playoffs before being swept by San Antonio in the Western Conference semifinals.

Paul averaged 17.6 points in 11 postseason outings last year.

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

Filed Under: Grizzlies, The Big Features Tagged With: cbssports.com, CHRIS PAUL, Eric Bledsoe, ESPN.COM, J. J. Reddick, Jameer Nelson, Lionel Hollins, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE, NBA.COM, nbcsports.com, Orlando Magic, Rudy Gay, Sports 56 WHBQ, Tony Allen, WAYNE ELLINGTON

5 Must See Grizzlies Games on the 2012-13 Schedule

July 27, 2012 by C.J. Hurt Leave a Comment

Photo by Justin Ford

The Grizzlies announced their regular season games for the 2012-2013 season and it is full of intriguing matchups. Thanks to consecutive trips to the post season, Memphis has 15 nationally televised games, the most ever in franchise history. They get the annual MLK game, this year it is against the Pacers, and get to play every NBA team at home this season after not playing the Celtics and the Heat at the Forum last year. Here is a list of five games every Grizzlies’ fan should watch this year.

LA Clippers October 31^st @ The Staples Center
This is the Grizzlies first game of the year and it comes against the team that eliminated them from the playoffs in the first round, in a thrilling seven game series last season. The Clippers should be one of the West’s best teams and give Memphis a good gauge of how good they are at the start of the season. The masters of flop are down one phenomenal flopper in Reggie Evans and Nick Young. However, Chauncey Billups will be back and LA has added Jamal Crawford and Mr. Kardashian himself Lamar Odom, so they should be even better this year. A back court of Billups and Chris Paul with Blake Griffin at power forward is going to be difficult to matchup with, but will be an exciting first game for all Grizzlies’ fans.

Utah Jazz November 5^th @ FedExForum
This is the home opener for Memphis and it comes against a very good opponent. The Jazz were a playoff team last season, and while nobody is going to get any Jazz player confused with Karl Malone or John Stockton, they are very capable of ruining the festivities for fans during the home opener. Memphis is 3-1 the past two years against the Jazz at home, so a win is highly probable on opening night.

Miami Heat November 11^th @ FedExForum
A Sunday night game against the defending NBA champions is cause for excitement every year. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh return to Memphis for the first time since 2010 thanks to the lockout. The last time the Heat visited the “Grind House” Rudy Gay hit a last second shot over James to give Memphis a 97-95 victory. Add to it that this Heat team has former Grizzlies’ fan favorites Mike Miller and Shane Battier and you have a must watch scenario for Grizzlies’ fans.

Oklahoma City Thunder November 14^th @Chesapeake Energy Arena
Just three days after taking on the Finals Champion Miami Heat, the Grizzlies take a trip to Oklahoma City to battle the Western Conference Champion. The hated Thunder have several superstars including the two time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka a First Team All NBA Defensive selection. Perhaps the most intriguing player on the Thunder roster is former first round draft pick by Memphis, Hasheem Thabeet. He has been dubbed a bust in Memphis, and nothing would make Grizzlies’ fans more upset than seeing Thabeet play a significant role on a title contender especially OKC. This is also the Grizzlies first nationally televised game of the year.

Dallas Mavericks February 27th @ FedExForum
The Grizzlies are 5-2 against the Mavs the past two seasons. And this divisional rivalry has had some additional fuel added to the fire with OJ Mayo becoming a member of the Mavs this season. This will be Mayo’s second trip back to the Forum after averaging 15.2 points per game as a member of the Grizzlies. It will be an emotional game for Mayo and fans who have grown accustomed to seeing him put the three point guns in their holster throughout the past four seasons. It is also the regular season finale and playoff positioning might be on the line.

CJ Hurt covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. Follow him @churtj09 for live tweets from FedExForum.

Filed Under: Grizzlies, The Big Features, Web Exclusives Tagged With: Chris Bosh, CHRIS PAUL, dallas mavericks, Dwayne Wade, Kardashian, Kevin Durant, la clippers, Lamar Odom, Lebron James, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, OJ Mayo, OKC Thunder, Rudy Gay, Serge Ibaka, Shane Battier

Clippers guard Chris Paul loves playing in ‘hostile environments’

May 12, 2012 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

Clippers guard Chris Paul (center) has been a force throughout the opening round of the playoffs against the Grizzlies, but was limited to 11 points in Friday's crucial Game 6 loss in Staple's Center. The Clippers will need Paul to be more effective if they are to advance to play the Spurs. (Photos by Justin Ford)

Los Angeles Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro walked up to Chris Paul in the locker room after Wednesday’s Game 5 of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs at FedExForum, apparently relieved after learning that his star point guard’s injury that forced him to the bench in the waning moments wasn’t as serious as the team initially thought.

“That was good…better news,” said Del Negro while patting Paul on the back. “You’ll be alright.”

Paul, removing ice packs off both knees, agreed.

“Yeah, I’ll be alright,” he said.

Unfortunately for the Clippers, who were hoping to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 Friday night at the Staple’s Center, Paul appeared hampered by a right hip flexor strain for a majority of the game. His ineffectiveness ultimately led to the Grizzlies evening the best-of-seven series at three games apiece with a 90-88 win.

Heading into Sunday’s decisive Game 7 before what will be a raucous FedExForum crowd, the Clippers will need a much healthier and effective Paul directing the offense if they are to prevent from becoming only the ninth team in NBA history to blow a 3-1 lead in the postseason.

Paul, who averages a team-best 20.7 points in the playoffs, was limited to just 11 points on 4-of-9 field goals in 35 minutes in Friday’s game, his lowest point total and minutes he’s had the entire series. What’s even worse for the Clippers, who must now win in a hostile environment for a second time, is that power forward Blake Griffin wasn’t at full strength for Game 6 after sustaining a left knee late in third quarter Game 5.

After Game 5 in Memphis, Paul and Griffin insisted that their injuries weren’t a cause for concern and that they both would be fully prepared for Game 6 in Los Angeles.

“There’s a difference in being hurt and being injured,” Paul told reporters after Wednesday’s game. “I just felt a little slight pain in my leg. “No pressure. We’re going to be okay. Obviously, we didn’t want to go back home (for Game 6), not right now anyway. But it is what it is.”

At the time, Paul also spoke about the importance of the Clippers needing to win Game 6 in their arena, given the FedExForum crowd hasn’t been too kind to them. Throughout much of the series, the Clippers have endured their share of rants and taunts from Grizzlies fans, who have routinely chanted “Beat L. A.” and booed Griffin each time he touches the ball.

One fan went as far as to hold up a big head of Paul wearing a baby bonnet draped over his head, while sucking a pacifier featuring the Clippers logo as a way of suggesting that Paul has spent much time whining and complaining to officials and the media about the Grizzlies’ aggressive play throughout the series.

Paul, however, admittedly welcomes the trash talk and constant scoldings he’s getting from Grizzlies fans.

Throughout the opening round of the Clippers' playoff series against the Memphis, Grizzlies fans haven't been too kind to Paul and Co.

“In a way, I love playing in hostile environments,” Paul said after the Clippers erased a 27-point second half deficit to win Game 1. “That way, I can take the crowd out of the game.”

Even if the Clippers don’t advance to the play the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, it’s clear that Paul’s presence has greatly impacted a franchise that has been the subject of constant jokes and endured decades of futility. After commissioner David Stern rejected a proposed three-team trade that would have sent Paul to the Lakers on December 8, the Clippers and New Orleans Hornets agreed to a trade that sent the five-time All Star to the Clippers.

Although Lakers guard Kobe Bryant has publicly labeled the Clippers “the other team,” it seems they are now being mentioned in the same breath as the Lakers, in large part because of the buzz Paul has created throughout the organization in his brief time with the team.

“He’s brought respect to that franchise,” said former NBA player Chris Webber, now a commentator for TNT. “I think the thing with him and Chauncey Billups is that everybody took them seriously because they won everywhere they’ve been. What they’ve done is come in and take this franchise seriously. He’s brought with him some respectibility to L. A.”

Still, the Clippers, one of the NBA’s youngest teams, have a long ways to go to catch up with their Staple’s Center counterparts.

“They’re going to be the little brothers to the Lakers,” Webber said, “But you’ve to work your way up the ladder.”

They can take yet another huge step with a win Sunday in Game 7. It certainly will take some doing, considering the injury-plagued Clippers will be up against a more experienced Grizzlies team that appears to be as healthy as it has been all season.

Fortunately for the Clippers, though, they have Paul, whom many believe has been the best player on the floor throughout this series.

“Chris Paul has been a force everywhere he’s been,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said. “He’s a point guard with the ball in his hands. He’s going to have it 95 percent of the time. He’s made some big shots in this series. The Clippers are not a factor without Chris Paul. Without him, they wouldn’t have been up 3-1.”

Paul realizes the Clippers will need him to be an even bigger factor Sunday afternoon if they hope to earn more respect, particularly among Los Angeles fans. However, if the Clippers manage to shock Memphis again, Paul contends they wouldn’t have done anything more than winning a brutal opening-round series.

“Nothing,” said Paul, when asked what would advancing past the Grizzlies mean for the Clippers franchise. “It will just mean we won a series against a tough team. We’ve got to stick together and grind it out.”

Something the Clippers have been able to do since Paul’s mid-December arrival to L. A.

Andre Johnson is a regular contributor for MemphiSport. Follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.

Filed Under: Grizzlies, The Big Features Tagged With: CHRIS PAUL, FedExForum, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA Playoffs, The Grindhouse

Grizzlies reserve O. J. Mayo ‘sleeping well,’ producing big numbers in the postseason

May 7, 2012 by Andre Johnson Leave a Comment

Grizzlies guard O. J. Mayo (right) assumed much of the blame for Memphis' Game 1 collapse to the Clippers. He responded by scoring 20 points in 27 minutes off the bench in a Game 2 win. (Photo by Justin Ford)

O. J. Mayo couldn’t sleep a wink.

Hours after the Memphis Grizzlies squandered a 27-point second-half lead to the Los Angeles Clippers en route to a 99-98 loss in Game 1 of the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs, Mayo didn’t pay much attention to what was being said or written about arguably the grandest collapse in franchise history.

Instead, the Grizzlies shooting guard took home video footage of the game and watched the fourth quarter repeatedly until he couldn’t bear to see it anymore.

“It was tough, really,” said Mayo, “watching that fourth quarter over and over again, four times.”

But watching repeats of the Grizzlies’ colossal meltdown against the Clippers, by and large, proved beneficial for Mayo, the team’s top reserve, who was dismayed so much by the loss, he went nearly two days without sleep and assumed much of the blame for Memphis having allowed a golden opportunity to slip away.

Unlike in the first game, when the Grizzlies became too relaxed after building a sizable cushion, Mayo exhibited more assertiveness in the pivotal Game 2, particularly in the game’s crucial stages.

He finished with 20 points on 6-of-16 shooting and played 24 minutes in helping the Grizzlies even their best-of-7 series against the Clippers at one game apiece. Ten of Mayo’s points came during a critical stretch in the fourth as he played all 12 minutes.

“I wanted a little bit bigger guy on (Clippers shooting guard) Mo Williams,” said Hollins, explaining his decision to play Mayo the entire fourth. “He did a good job on him. O. J. can play the one and two (guard positions), which is why Gilbert Arenas didn’t play.”

If the Grizzlies, who trail 2-1 in the series heading into Game 4 Monday night at the Staples Center, are to recapture home court advantage in what is shaping up to be an intense matchup against the Clippers, they will need more offensive contributions from their reserves.

That shouldn’t be such a hard task to accomplish, considering Memphis boasts one of the NBA’s deepest benches, with four players averaging double digits in minutes.

Mayo, a third-year pro, leads the Grizzlies’ reserves with 27 minutes per game.

Not bad for a player who, after last year’s postseason run that ended with the Grizzlies losing to Oklahoma City in seven games of the semifinals of the Western Conference playoffs, wasn’t sure if he would be back with the team this year.

After losing his starting spot to former Memphis and current New Orleans Hornets guard Xavier Henry last year, the 24-year-old Mayo was the subject of trade rumors midway through the season, in part because many believed that he and Hollins couldn’t co-exist after the coach benched him in favor of an unproven rookie.

Fortunately for Mayo, though he conceded that he handled losing his starting job in an immature way, he eventually took Hollin’s decision in stride. The midseason demotion, it seems, benefited Mayo considerably, much like the video footage of the Grizzlies’ disheartening Game 1 defeat.

That’s because Mayo witnessed his scoring average increase to 20 points per game as he helped the surging Grizzlies to a 32-22 record and wrap up the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Now that he has adjusted comfortably to his sixth man role, the Grizzlies will need more of Mayo’s offensive heroics if they are to remain in position to advance to the Western Conference semifinals for a second consecutive year.

“O. J. hit some timely shots,” Clippers point guard Chris Paul told reporters after their Game 2 loss. “Me and (Eric) Bledsoe didn’t do a good job of keeping him out of the lane. Me and Bledsoe slept on him a lot tonight.”

Fortunately for Mayo, the Grizzlies’ performance in Game 2 enabled him to catch up on much-needed rest, something that was virtually difficult to acquire after their playoff opener.

“We definitely, after Game 1, learned that our focus for the entire game was to stay focused,” Mayo said. “The great thing is that we had two days to prepare (for Game 2). I took a lot of that blame that we blew that lead.”

Which explains why he stayed awake long enough to ensure that he doesn’t repeat such costly mental mistakes.

Andre Johnson is a regular contributor for MemphiSport. Follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.

Filed Under: Grizzlies, The Big Features Tagged With: CHRIS PAUL, O.J. Mayo

Clippers star Blake Griffin is more than just a great dunker

May 2, 2012 by Andre Johnson 1 Comment

Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin was named the NBA's Rookie of the Year last year. Now he is starting to make a case for becoming one of the league's top power forwards. (Photo by Justin Ford)

No one seems to hang around the rim better than Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin.

Ask Kris Humphries, Lamar Odom, Mario Chalmers, Channing Frye, Kendrick Perkins, and Pau Gasol, all of whom have been posterized by Griffin, arguably the NBA’s most enthralling dunker.

“He’s a good, young player…very athletic,” Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol said of Griffin, whom he will often be assigned to guard when the Clippers and Grizzlies meet for Game 2 of their opening round best-of-7 Western Conference playoffs series Wednesday night at FedExForum.

Of these players, Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers power forward seemed to have been dealt the most humiliation while trying to defend whom his younger brother, Marc Gasol, described as the best finisher in the league.

Less than two minutes into an April 4 game at the Staples Center, Griffin caught a perfectly-timed miss by Randy Foye in mid-air then threw down a thunderous two-handed slam over Pau Gasol, sending the 7-foot Spaniard tumbling to the floor while drawing laughs from fellow teammate Andrew Bynum.

Later in the game, Griffin added yet another captivating highlight to his YouTube video repertoire.

After fielding a bounce pass from Caron Butler near the lane, the 6-foot-10 Griffin penetrated hard toward the basket then converted a one-handed slam that knocked Pau Gasol off balance as he plunged toward the floor.

Though many rated Griffin’s dunks over Pau Gasol among his best high percentage field goals this season, Marc Gasol dissented all of the hoopla surrounding the plays.

“I mean, it’s no big,” said Marc Gasol, who admittedly watched footage of Griffin’s dunks over his brother. “It’s two points.”

Two points that, on numerous occasions, have drawn continuous rave reviews, particularly among opposing fans whenever Griffin is left unguarded in the open court or is seen hanging around the basket.

While fans and opposing teams have come to embrace Griffin’s flamboyant style of play, the former University of Oklahoma star is steadily making a case for emerging as one of the young bright power forwards in the NBA.

Now in his second full season after a broken left kneecap sidelined him for what would have been his rookie campaign in 2009-2010, Griffin finished the regular season ranked tenth in the league in scoring at 20.7 points per game, fifth in rebounding (10.9 per game), fourth in double-doubles (42), and seventh in field goal percentage (.556).

After a disastrous first half showing in Game 1 in which he was limited to just two points on 1-of-3 shots against Memphis, Griffin played a pivotal role in the Clippers’ memorable 99-98 comeback win that was highlighted by them overcoming a 27-point second-half deficit.

He managed 15 of his 17 points after intermission, including 10 points during a key 26-1 spurt that translated into the Clippers’ first of the contest.

Besides producing four dunks in the contest, Griffin scored on close-range and jump hooks in the lane, a far cry from a first half against the Grizzlies in which he appeared mostly out of sync after missing badly on a number of open and closely-contested shots. What’s even worse is that he heard scattered booed by Grizzlies fans each time he touched the ball.

“For every 20 people that say something positive, there are going to be 20 people to say something negative…40 really,” Griffin said.

Among the Griffin’s constant struggles is his inability to make free throws. In two-plus seasons, Griffin is shooting 53 percent from the free throw line, something that, according to USA Today national NBA writer, J. Michael Falgoust, will continue to set the reigning Rookie of the Year apart from other elite power forwards.

“There are still some things he doesn’t do well,” Falgoust said of Griffin. “I look at his height for a guy his size, he doesn’t block shots well. I mean, right now, I’d take Kevin Love over him. He’s a liability on offense. He’s averaging 22 (points) a game. If he hits his free throws, he’s averaging 30 points a game.

Luckily for the 23-year-old Griffin, the 2009 No. 1 overall draft pick, his best days in the NBA are well ahead of him.

“It comes with a little bit of seasoning,” Falgoust said. “I still make Griffin a top five (power forward), but it’s roughly about fourth or fifth. When you consider 32 teams and all of the power forwards, that’s not so bad. He’s not fully maxed out and that’s the scary thing. When he develops more as a defensive player and hits 70 to 75 percent of his free throws, his numbers are just going to be completely explosive.”

Fortunately for Griffin, after the Lakers’ attempt to acquire Chris Paul fell through, the Clippers’ management was able to land the veteran point guard days before the start of the condensed regular season to help complement his game.

So far, it’s safe to assume that Griffin and Paul have managed to co-exist, especially given the immeasurable roles they played in what was a historic comeback for the ages in Game 1.

“I think everybody knows that Blake needs Chris and Chris needs Blake,” Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay said. They’re a great tandem.”

However, in what has now become a must-win situation for Memphis in Game 2, the Grizzlies realize they can’t afford to allow Paul to become comfortable orchestrating the offense, particularly if the game is hanging in the balance.

Also, the Grizzlies must devise ways to prevent Griffin from hanging freely around the basket, a gambit that’s been virtually difficult to achieve this year, considering Griffin finished with an NBA-best 192 dunks during the regular season.

“Right now, I’m just trying to become a better overall player,” Griffin said.

Especially since it’s obvious he has gotten this dunking thing down pat.

Ask Pau Gasol.

Andre Johnson is a regular contributor for MemphiSport. Follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist.