Memphis Grizzlies 2019-2020 Watch Thread (#14)

[GreenShooter]

Memphis are getting 2 injured players back this week (JJJ & Winslow) and Clarke is not too far behind. It's highly unlikely (more like NOT) they lose 16 of 17.
It's nice to see though that there are 4 teams that are 3.5, 4, 4 & 4 games back of Memphis, especially with some very tough game coming up. Portland just got back Lillard (hope he stays healthy) and Nurkic is due back Sunday (he'll back an asset but on a minute restriction for a few).
NOLA, Portland and Sacto, in that order, have the best chance of passing Memphis. San Antonio still have an outside shot as well.

[No Nickname]

It stinks when two of those four chasing Memphis play each other.  New Orleans and Sacto meet up tonight.

I guess I'll pull for New Orleans who has a better chance of catching Memphis. 

By the way I should have clarified that including last night's loss Memphis faces tough matchups in 17 of their last 18 games of the season.

The only gimme is the Knicks in a murderer's row of:

Portland (twice)
Utah
San Antonio
OKC (twice)
Milwaukee
New Orleans (twice)
Boston
Toronto (twice)
Dallas
Denver
Philly
Houston

[nickagneta]

It stinks when two of those four chasing Memphis play each other.  New Orleans and Sacto meet up tonight.

I guess I'll pull for New Orleans who has a better chance of catching Memphis. 

By the way I should have clarified that including last night's loss Memphis faces tough matchups in 17 of their last 18 games of the season.

The only gimme is the Knicks in a murderer's row of:

Portland (twice)
Utah
San Antonio
OKC (twice)
Milwaukee
New Orleans (twice)
Boston
Toronto (twice)
Dallas
Denver
Philly
Houston

I see very winnable games against Portland, San Antonio and New Orleans. That's 5 possible wins and a surprise or two type wins.

I think 4-8 wins in those 17 games very possible.

[GreenShooter]

Looks like we are stuck with the 17th pick as there may not be any more basketball.

[rondofan1255]

The last 1st round pick watch is presumably over... for now.

If so, bookended by the 2014 and 2020 #17 picks... 

Recent pick watches summary:

2014 #17 James Young (from BKN)
2015 #28 RJ Hunter (from LAC - Doc Rivers trade)
2016 #3 Jaylen Brown (from BKN)
2016 #16 Guerschon Yabusele (from DAL - Rondo trade)
2017 #3 Jayson Tatum (from PHI - Fultz trade)
2019 #14 Romeo Langford (from SAC via Philly - Fultz trade)
2019 #33 Carsen Edwards (LAC #20 traded to Philly for #24 and #33. #24 and Baynes subsequently traded for MIL 2020 1st)
2020 #17 (via MEM - Jeff Green trade)
2020 #30 (via MIL)

[jambr380]

Looks like we are stuck with the 17th pick as there may not be any more basketball.

Yeah, this is like a worst-case scenario for the Cs. MEM's schedule down the stretch was brutal and there are like 4 teams just 3 games behind in the loss column (with Zion making the Pels look like a juggernaut).

Add in that we are now scheduled to play a healthy, rested Sixers team in the 1st round and there isn't much to be happy about. I guess the only thing we can hope for his that the Lakers don't win the championship (should the post-season roll on).

[BringToughnessBack]

Big Bummer for 17th pick.

This might have been the perfect scenario for Golden State this year. Worst record, season over. Great chance to add a star to their roster for next year and potentially no playoffs this year as well.

[gouki88]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

[GreenShooter]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

Ball is pretty good. If GSW is stuck to pick him then I'm sure teams will come calling. He could fetch a good haul. They could also trade down a bit and pick up a Toppin, Okoro or Okongwu (all good fits for them). It's a win-win for them.
Also, that Dani Avidija guy is picking up steam with comparisons to Luka.

[nickagneta]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

Ball is pretty good. If GSW is stuck to pick him then I'm sure teams will come calling. He could fetch a good haul. They could also trade down a bit and pick up a Toppin, Okoro or Okongwu (all good fits for them). It's a win-win for them.
Also, that Dani Avidija guy is picking up steam with comparisons to Luka.

I am just glad GSW isn't going to be able to pull a San Antonio and draft a top 10-15 player in league history the one year they tank because their star(s) are hurt that year.

[GreenShooter]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

Ball is pretty good. If GSW is stuck to pick him then I'm sure teams will come calling. He could fetch a good haul. They could also trade down a bit and pick up a Toppin, Okoro or Okongwu (all good fits for them). It's a win-win for them.
Also, that Dani Avidija guy is picking up steam with comparisons to Luka.

I am just glad GSW isn't going to be able to pull a San Antonio and draft a top 10-15 player in league history the one year they tank because their star(s) are hurt that year.

Agreed. Don't need them cruising again for the next few years if they landed someone like Zion or Morant.
Edit: by no means am I saying either of the two are Duncan-type players.

[gouki88]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

Ball is pretty good. If GSW is stuck to pick him then I'm sure teams will come calling. He could fetch a good haul. They could also trade down a bit and pick up a Toppin, Okoro or Okongwu (all good fits for them). It's a win-win for them.
Also, that Dani Avidija guy is picking up steam with comparisons to Luka.

I don't know that Ball is actually good. I watched him in the NBL and was thoroughly unimpressed. Same concerns as Lonzo (can't shoot), but he's a worse defender. He is however bigger, and a better FT shooter. His scoring numbers aren't really anything noteworthy - many NBL scoring studs like Bryce Cotton, Casper Ware, Lamar Patterson, Melo Trimble and Mitch Creek (I could go on and draw old-time comparisons like Gaze) so I'm not too sure. I expect him to struggle a lot to begin with, which is why I don't think he'd work in Golden State.

A guy like Toppin next to Draymond and Paschall would be awesome for them

[GreenShooter]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

Ball is pretty good. If GSW is stuck to pick him then I'm sure teams will come calling. He could fetch a good haul. They could also trade down a bit and pick up a Toppin, Okoro or Okongwu (all good fits for them). It's a win-win for them.
Also, that Dani Avidija guy is picking up steam with comparisons to Luka.

I don't know that Ball is actually good. I watched him in the NBL and was thoroughly unimpressed. Same concerns as Lonzo (can't shoot), but he's a worse defender. He is however bigger, and a better FT shooter. His scoring numbers aren't really anything noteworthy - many NBL scoring studs like Bryce Cotton, Casper Ware, Lamar Patterson, Melo Trimble and Mitch Creek (I could go on and draw old-time comparisons like Gaze) so I'm not too sure. I expect him to struggle a lot to begin with, which is why I don't think he'd work in Golden State.

A guy like Toppin next to Draymond and Paschall would be awesome for them

I've said many times that this draft isn't good but Ball is at the top (top 3 or 4) of this no-good-draft.
I agree he wouldn't work in GS but he would be a good trade chip for them if someone wanted him. So they could still trade down a bit and get a player that would work.

[gouki88]

Huge bummer. Really hope Golden State's luck fails so they can't get Edwards or Wiseman. Would love to see them try and play Ball, lol

Ball is pretty good. If GSW is stuck to pick him then I'm sure teams will come calling. He could fetch a good haul. They could also trade down a bit and pick up a Toppin, Okoro or Okongwu (all good fits for them). It's a win-win for them.
Also, that Dani Avidija guy is picking up steam with comparisons to Luka.

I don't know that Ball is actually good. I watched him in the NBL and was thoroughly unimpressed. Same concerns as Lonzo (can't shoot), but he's a worse defender. He is however bigger, and a better FT shooter. His scoring numbers aren't really anything noteworthy - many NBL scoring studs like Bryce Cotton, Casper Ware, Lamar Patterson, Melo Trimble and Mitch Creek (I could go on and draw old-time comparisons like Gaze) so I'm not too sure. I expect him to struggle a lot to begin with, which is why I don't think he'd work in Golden State.

A guy like Toppin next to Draymond and Paschall would be awesome for them

I've said many times that this draft isn't good but Ball is at the top (top 3 or 4) of this no-good-draft.
I agree he wouldn't work in GS but he would be a good trade chip for them if someone wanted him. So they could still trade down a bit and get a player that would work.

Yeah, for sure. I hope no team gives them that though!

[footey]

Even the worst draft in last 10 years, going in (2013) produced the best player in the NBA (Greek Freak), in the 15th slot no less.

Each draft always seems to have one very pleasant surprise.

We have up to 3 shots in first round. Maybe we will get lucky.