What we learned about the Grizzlies in November

December 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (right) is one of four starters averaging in doubles figures for a Memphis team that took an NBA-best 12-2 mark into Saturday night’s game at San Antonio. The Grizz are coming off their longest homestand of the year that included a win over Dwight Howard and the Lakers. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol figured he might as well remind power forward Zach Randolph it was time to go back on the road.

After all, it had been two weeks since the Grizzlies last boarded the team plane.

“Hey Z-Bo, don’t be late for the team flight,” the 7-1 Spaniard jokingly told Randolph as he left the locker room after Friday’s game against Detroit in FedExForum. “I don’t want to have to call and remind you.”

Randolph, taking questions from reporters, seemed to relish that Gasol passed along a vital memo.

“I got you big fella,” Randolph said. “I’ll be there.”

Gasol and Randolph’s brief exchange, by all accounts, was indicative of the solid chemistry that has enabled the Grizzlies to manufacture the NBA’s best record after their longest homestand of the season. Memphis, which took a 12-2 mark into Saturday’s early-season Western Conference showdown at San Antonio, compiled a 4-1 record during its five-game homestand. The Grizzlies’ only blemish during that stretch came in a 97-92 loss to Denver to begin the series, a game that wasn’t decided until the waning moments.

“You can’t never believe the hype when we win some games and the national media is calling wanting to interview you,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said after the defeat to Denver snapped Memphis’ franchise-best eight-game winning streak. “There’s a responsibility that comes with winning. You can’t do much talking in between games.”

Whether Hollins’ suggestion was a direct message to his players after their setback against the Nuggets remains a mystery. Still, the Grizzlies responded superbly, reeling off four consecutive wins to close out their home stretch. That begs the question: What did we learn about this team after a pivotal homestand performance that Hollins hopes is a sign of things to come?

Consider:

The Grizzlies are legitimate title contenders

Sure, it is still early in the NBA’s first full season in two years. But if the playoffs began today, the Grizzlies would be a tough out for any opposition.

Among the reasons is that the Grizzlies have managed a number of key, gut-checking wins that could benefit them mightily come the postseason. Besides a lopsided home win December 11 over reigning NBA champion Miami and a colossal come-from-behind road triumph three nights later against NBA finals runner-up Oklahoma City, the Grizzlies latest homestand included a resounding victory over a new-look Los Angeles Lakers squad has underachieved and was forced to make a coaching change five games into the season.

That the Grizzlies’ early-season victories against championship-caliber opponents ultimately catapulted them atop the league standings served as an eye-opener, or sorts, for Lakers star Kobe Bryant.

“Memphis is a great team,” Bryant said. “They’re playing with the belief that they could win and come out of the West.

What’s even more astounding for a Memphis team that held a one-game lead over Miami for the league’s best record before Saturday’s 99-95 overtime loss at the Spurs is that the Grizzlies extended their undefeated streak to 7-0 versus Eastern Conference opponents after Friday’s win over the Pistons. Five of those wins against the East have come at FedExForum, where the Grizzlies have been mostly resilient, having won 14 straight before the loss to Denver.

Memphis hosts the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night at 7.

“We had a great month,” said Gasol, alluding to the Grizzlies’ 12-1 mark in November. “We had a great homestand. We still got a lot of room to grow.”

Randolph is slimmer and healthier than ever

On a number of occasions during the preseason, Randolph said he believes this will be his best year of an NBA stint that spans 12 seasons. Now we know why.

Randolph, who wouldn’t say specifically how much weight he lost in the offseason, appears to be a more mobile and versatile — not to mention vocal — player, given he’s having a viable presence on both ends of the floor. So much, in fact, that the 6-foot-9 Randolph owns an NBA-best 12 double-doubles, numbers, that, fortunately for the Grizzlies, are reminiscent of his postseason display two years ago when Randolph avaraged better than 22 points and 10 rebounds (in 13 playoff games) in leading Memphis to the Western Conference semifinals. That Randolph insists he is the best shape of his career means there will be less pressure on reserve big man Marreese Speights to produce big numbers. Speights, who was signed by the Grizzlies days after Randolph sustained a torn MCL the first week of the season at Chicago last year, has started 54 of 60 regular season games for Memphis. Although his presence benefited the Grizzlies’ late-season surge that included them solidifying the West’s No. 4-seed for the playoffs, Speights’ numbers never reflected that of Randolph’s.

“Health is very important in this league,” Hollins said. “(Randolph)has been playing. You can’t do what you do when you’re not out there. Usually what happens when a person is out is you have to adapt to a different identity. That’s why chemistry is so important.”

As Mike Conley goes, so does the Grizzlies

Despite all of the criticism Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley encountered early in his career, it is evident the Grizzlies’ success this year will depend largely on his ability to stay healthy and orchestrate the pick and roll offense. If nothing else, such was the case when Memphis welcomed Cleveland to FedExForum for its third of a five-game homestand.

For the first time this season, the Grizzlies were without Conley, whom Hollins dubbed the “floor general,” and it was obvious they were affected by his absence.

With Conley battling flu-like symptoms, the Grizzlies found it virtually difficult settling into its usual-reliable pick and roll and it nearly resulted in what would have been a devastating setback against an undersized, inexperienced Cavs team that brought a 3-10 record into the game.

The Grizzlies, whose offense appeared stagnant from the outset, registered their lowest scoring output of the season in an 84-78 win and didn’t effectively seal their second straight win until Jarryd Bayless’ two free throws with 13.8 seconds remaining produced the game’s final margin. Consequently, the Grizzlies’ narrow escape prompted Hollins to call out Conley’s critics during his postgame news conference.

“I’ve got to give a shout out to Mike Conley and all the haters of Mike Conley,” Hollins said. “He’s one of the most valuable players we have on this team. He’s not a flashy guy, not a big scorer, not a big name, but helps make us go and we missed him big time.”

The supporting cast is supportive

So much for the departed O. J. Mayo.

Quincy Pondexter is among the reserves who has been contributed to the Grizzlies’ early-season success and he’s become a fan-favorite in the process. (Photo by Justin Ford)

Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur saw action in last week’s game against Toronto for the first time since he tore his ACL last year. But long before Arthur’s much-anticipated return, Memphis was getting valiant contributions from a bench many sensed would endure a dropoff after Mayo — one of the NBA’s premiere sixth men last year — signed as a free agent with Dallas in the offseason. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

That’s because Speights, Quincy Pondexter, Wayne Ellington, and Bayless, among others, have demonstrated they could make the most of their minutes whenever Hollins deems it essential to give his starters a breather.

“We’re getting a lot of time off as far as our bench,” said Gay, “because they are playing so well.”

The only question, at least now that the longest home stretch of the season is over, is whether the consistency from the reserves can be sustained. Ellington who recently enjoyed his Grizzlies coming-out-party with a career-high 25-point outburst against the Heat, certainly thinks so.

“I have to think we have some guys who are really stepping up,” Ellington said. “Everybody had been saying our bench is inexperienced and our bench will be our weakness. I had been hearing that a few times on TV. We’ve just got to stay within our team concept and do our jobs to the best of our abilities and try not to get outside of that.”

So far, so good for a team that is making a strong case it could very well emerge as a tough out come the postseason.

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

 

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Marreese Speights has found his niche with the playoff-bound Memphis Grizzlies

April 20, 2012 by 2 Comments

Memphis Grizzlies power forward Marreese Speights would be the first to tell you that coming to the Bluff City wasn’t by accident.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Speights said. “God gave me an opportunity to come to a new team, a new opportunity. Sometimes it works out good and sometimes it works out bad.”

Fortunately for the 24-year-old Speights, things are holding up befittingly for the third-year pro out of Florida.

Photo by Justin Ford

Signed by the Grizzlies on Jan. 4, three days after Zach Randolph suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament to his right knee, Speights essentially has salvaged his career after struggling to find his niche in three-plus seasons with Philadelphia.

The 6-foot-10, 255-pounder has emerged as another viable scoring option for a Memphis team that clinched its second consecutive playoff berth Wednesday night against New Orleans. Heading into Saturday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum, Speights is expected to make his 52ndstart for the Grizzlies, although Randolph returned March 16 from what the team feared was a season-ending injury.

Speights is averaging 8.7 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, shooting 45 percent from the field, making 79 percent of his free throws, and averaging 22.2 minutes per contest for the Grizzlies. Arguably his best game with the team came in a double-overtime loss against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 13, when he erupted for a team-best 25 points and seven rebounds in 49 minutes.

Speights has scored in double figures in 23 games this season, including five consecutive outings in February, a stretch that included the Grizzlies winning four of those five games.

His versatility, by and large, has proven beneficial for Memphis, a team many believe is a dark horse to reach the NBA Finals.

“He’s been huge for us,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins said of Speights. “He’s really stepped it up. He brings scoring, rebounding and he brings something to the team that we didn’t have when Zach went down. And that is, he can play a little bit of the four and five.”

While Hollins admittedly didn’t know anything about Speights before the trade, Randolph said the Grizzlies’ landing a player of Speights’ caliber has not only taken some pressure off him as one the team’s formidable big men, but it has made Memphis a more bulky team as it prepares for the postseason.

“Man, that young fella has great,” Randolph said of Speights. “He’s been holding it down and doing everything he’s supposed to do. He’s having a career season.”

Something that seemed highly unlikely during Speights’ brief stint with the 76ers.

Philadelphia drafted Speights with the 16thoverall pick in 2008 following two seasons at Florida in which he played mostly in the shadows of Al Horford, Joakim Noah, and Chris Richard. Unfortunately for the St. Petersburg, Fla. native, he struggled to adjust to 76ers coach Doug Collins’ system.

While in Philly, he appeared in 205 games, making only four starts and averaging 7.2 points per game. However, he managed just 14.3 minutes of action, virtually half of the minutes he has generated since being acquired by Memphis.

Although he was a high draft pick who played sparingly for the 76ers, Grizzlies assistant coach Henry Bibby has always been fond of Speights’ game, particularly when was an assistant to Maurice Cheeks in Philadelphia from 2006-2008.

After Randolph’s injury forced to the Grizzlies to act swiftly in bringing in a big man, Bibby convinced management to take a strong look at Speights, whose height, weight, and skills, by and large, mirror that of Randolph’s.

The early-season trade, it turned out, has benefited the Grizzlies and Speights.

“When I got traded, people didn’t hear a lot about me,” said Randolph, whose 10-year NBA career includes stints with Portland, New York, and the Los Angeles Clippers. “But look at me now. Guys get traded all the time and get better. And it’s all about getting better.”

For Speights, however, joining the Grizzlies also was a golden opportunity to regroup, something he insist he’s had the luxury of accomplishing in his brief time with the team.

“I’ve just got to keep listening to coach (Hollins) and learning the game and getting better with every game,” Speights said. “This is a good team. We’re a great big family.”

A family that, according to Speights, he’s delighted to be apart of.

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


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Marreese Speights: Part of the Problem or Solution?

January 12, 2012 by 2 Comments

Based purely on numbers, one may think Marreese Speights has had a successful three games since being traded to the Grizzlies a little less than week ago. Delve a little deeper, however, and it becomes clear that while he’s putting up solid numbers, the Grizzlies need Speights to fill a different role.

Is Marreese Speights the right solution to the Grizzlies' frontcourt depth issues?

Through three games, he is averaging nine points and just shy of three rebounds per game while playing about 18 minutes per night. It’s not the amount of points Speights is scoring; it’s how he is scoring them. He has shown himself to be more comfortable playing away from the basket and taking jump shots instead of bruising down low.

The 24-year-old, who was the 16th overall pick out of Florida in the 2007 NBA Draft, seems hesitant to put his 6-foot-10, 255 lbs frame to work in the way the Grizzlies need him. With Zach Randolph out for the foreseeable future, Memphis needs Speights to play with his back to the basket and be on the inside battling for rebounds—leave the outside jumpers to the guards.

Against the Lakers last Sunday – the first night he saw extended minutes – Speights touched the ball 22 times. He shot 19 times and had two turnovers. What does that mean? He passed the ball ONCE. I wrote a story earlier this year about Rudy Gay being a ball-stopper and struggling to fit into the Memphis offense. Even on his worst nights, Gay doesn’t dominate the ball like Speights did against L.A.

Speights has been a classic underperformer in the league and saw his minutes decrease each year. Before being traded to Memphis, Speights had yet to see the floor in four games for a successful Philadelpha 76ers team, and it has been reported that he came into camp this year out of shape.

Memphis desperately needs Speights to transform himself into an energetic and physical player on the floor to complement Marc Gasol on the block. Gasol is one of the toughest players in the league, but it’s hard for him to battle alone down low. The lack of another physical big man could be seen last night against Oklahoma City as the Thunder – often playing small and with only one big man – outrebounded Memphis 51-39.

I don’t know Speights, and I’ve only seen him play in person once, so it’s too soon to make any judgments. However, his reputation before last week’s trade was that he was a lazy big man who preferred to jack up shots instead of battling down low. So far, he hasn’t done much at all to disprove that theory.

Preston McClellan covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. Follow him on Twitter @p_mcclellan.

- Photo by Justin Ford

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Oklahoma City Outlasts Grizzlies 100-95

January 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

In a game that saw eight ties, 13 lead changes and no lead larger than eight points for either team, the Oklahoma City Thunder (9-2) outlasted the Memphis Grizzlies (3-6) 100-95 Tuesday night at FedExForum. Russell Westbrook scored a game-high 30 points, and Kevin Durant had 22 as OKC registered its second victory over Memphis this season. Marc Gasol led Memphis with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Rudy Gay struggled from the floor, going just 7-of-21 en route to a lackluster 16 points.

Rudy Gay struggled tonight when Memphis needed him most, scoring 16 points on 7-of-21 shooting. Photo by Justin Ford.

The Grizzlies started hot in the first quarter, knocking down three early jumpers to take a 6-1 advantage. Oklahoma City responded with baskets from Durant and Westbrook, and came back to take a 12-10 lead midway through the quarter. The Grizzlies opened a 23-18 advantage after a jumper from newly-acquired Marreese Speights, but 12 first-quarter points from Westbrook coupled six from Durant allowed the Thunder to take a narrow 26-25 lead after the first period.

Depsite a James Harden triple to open the quarter, Memphis locked down on defense and used a 9-0 run to take a 38-33 lead with 5:54 to play in half. It would be the largest Grizzlies’ lead of the night. Oklahoma City fought back behind eight second-quarter points from Durant and took a 54-52 lead into the locker room after making four three throws in the final 12 seconds of the half.

Both teams opened the third quarter hustling and went back-and-forth before a fastbreak layup by Westbrook put OKC ahead for good at 67-66. Gay was blocked on consecutive shot attempts on the next Memphis possession, and the Thunder opened up the biggest lead of the game at 75-67 with 1:52 to play. Gasol brought Memphis back, closing the third with four-straight points and getting the Grizzlies within 75-71 with a quarter of basketball left.

Rudy Gay opened the final quarter with an old-fashioned three-point play that pulled Memphis with one point at 75-74. The Thunder then made a triple, but Gay responded again with a deep three to get Memphis back within 79-77 at the 10:35 mark. Oklahoma City pushed its lead back to as many as eight at 88-81 before a tough jumper by Gasol followed by an alley-oop from Mike Conley to Gat put Memphis within 88-85. This time, Kendrick Perkins answered for the Thunder, as the physical big man drove hard to the rim and finished the layup for a 90-85 OKC lead.

Trailing 95-89, Quincy Pondexter connected on a triple from the wing – his first bucket of the night – to close the gap to 95-92. Westbrook missed a contested shot on the ensuring Thunder possession, but a turnover by Gay on the next Memphis possession sealed the Grizzlies fate as Oklahoma City made its free throws and closed the game out 100-95.

As the game turned..

Memphis had several chances down the stretch to put pressure on the Thunder but squandered nearly every opportunity. With Memphis down four at 91-87, Gay missed two free throws and a Westbrook jumper on the next play pushed the OKC lead back to six. Gay had a chance to redeem himself later in the game as Memphis had the ball down three with under 30 seconds, but a double team forced a turnover and the Thunder polished off another victory with clutch free throws.

Grizzlies’ Grinder of the Game: Marc Gasol

As I saw many times on Twitter during the game, Gasol is developing his own phrase around the league: “No Call Gasol.” The moniker has been earned as Gasol seems to absorb way more contact without getting fouls called compared to other big men. Still, the Spaniard finished with a team-best 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Stat of the Night 

Memphis got outrebounded by 12, 51-39 against OKC. Though Memphis had 40 points in the paint compared to 34 from the Thunder, the rebounding differential is troubling. Speights finished with just one rebound and seemed more comfortable playing away from the basket and shooting jumpers than bruising down low. Memphis will need him and Cunningham to bring a more physical presence down low to complement Gasol.

Quotable: Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins

On Rudy Gay’s recent struggles: “I think the whole NBA is knocking rust off; I don’t think it’s just one individual. It’s a tough league. He played hard, and he did some good things, but he couldn’t make shots. Sometimes that just happens.”

On Gasol and Conley playing 40+ minutes again: “We just have to try to go out and win each game. You can’t worry about it being a condensed season. I look at the stats every night, and every team is doing the same thing – playing ball.”

Next

The Grizzlies will take on the New York Knicks for the first time this season on Thursday at 7 p.m. The game is slated to be televised nationally on TNT. It’s crucial that Memphis win Thursday, as New York will be playing a back-to-back after taking on the 76ers Wednesday night in Philadelphia. The Grizzlies would like to be 5-6 heading into Monday’s MLK Day game against Chicago.

Preston McClellan covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. Follow him on Twitter @p_mcclellan.

- Photo by Justin Ford

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Grizzlies Set To Acquire Marreese Speights from 76ers

January 4, 2012 by 2 Comments

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, Memphis has agreed in principle to a three-team trade with New Orleans and Philadelphia that would send Grizzlies’ guard Xavier Henry to New Orleans and bring 76ers’ center Marreese Speights to Memphis. Philadelphia would receive two future, second-round draft picks in the deal.

Memphis has needed increased front court depth since the beginning of the season, and that need has only been augmented by injuries to Zach Randolph (bruised knee; day-to-day) and Darrell Arthur (torn Achilles; out for season).

Speights is in his fourth season with Philadelpha after the 76ers picked him with the 16th selection in the 2007 NBA Draft. An imposing force at 6-foot-10, 245 lbs, Speights has not played this season. In his first three seasons with the 76ers, he averaged 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Henry played in 38 games for Memphis last season, averaging four points and one board per contest. Henry was expected to help the Grizzlies with outside shooting upon returning from his injury; however, the Memphis front office decided adding more size up front was more important.

Thoughts:

  • I think this is a good move by Memphis. Dante Cunningham has been underwhelming since coming to the team and didn’t look good at all last night when starting in place of Zach Randolph. Though Speights has mostly been a disappointment since being in the league, his physical size is something Memphis needs.
  • Henry may turn out to be a great player down the road, but Memphis is facing the franchise’s highest expectations ever this season and is more concerned with winning now than down the road. Because of that, Chris Wallace decided to sacrifice a better long-term prospect in Henry to fill an immediate need of the team.

Preston McClellan covers the Grizzlies for MemphiSport. Follow him on Twitter @p_mcclellan.

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