My thoughts on Memphis

[Celtic Fan Forever]

Is it just me or could Memphis actually be a decent team this season??? Seriously, look at them.

C Hasheem Thabeet, Marc Gasol
PF: Zach Randolph, Hakeem Warrick, Darrell Arthur
SF: Rudy Gay, Sam Young
SG: OJ Mayo, Demarre Carroll, Greg Buckner
PG: Mike Conley, Marco Jaric

In all honesty, they look like a 35-40 win team. I like the up front combo of Thabeet and Randolph. Randolph is a nutcase, but also a 20-10 guy. And his lack of defense will be made up for by Thabeet. These guys are complete opposites but should play well together in my opinion. Not to mention, they have incredible frontcourt depth with Gasol and Warrick (still might have to resign) being terrific backups.

As for the wings, Gay and Mayo are both very good young players with star potential. Gay has the ability to slash and Mayo is quickly becoming one of the best pure shooters. Kind of remind me of a young, less talented Pierce and Allen. (Mayo can be as good as Allen in my opinion) As for the backups, Young can contribute right away. Buckner however is pretty mediocre. Carroll has the potential to be a decent player, and he is a 4 year college guy so he might be able to do some things right away.

As for Conley, he still has some work to do. He's still young though, and has shown he has what it takes to become a solid point guard in this league. I'm not so sure Jaric is the guy they want backing him up however.

When I look at this team, I honestly see a group of guys that can take Memphis out from the bottom and make them a pretty average team. Of course everything depends on Randolph's attitude, but his skill is still there.

The Grizzlies have tremendous front-court depth, and if they sign a wing and a back up point guard (I know...who's going to want to go to Memphis), they might even make a push at the 8th spot in the west. Yeah, I said it. Yell at me all you want, but don't be surprised if you see a new and improved Grizzlies for 09-10.

[beantownboy171]

I betcha marc gasol starts atleast for next season, or until thabeet proves himself. But yes, they do have a pretty darn good young nucleus. Although Zach Randolph is fools gold, he looks like a solid piece to the puzzle where ever he goes.

I just don't see him working out. But its not like they gave up anything to get him besides an expiring contract.

[cdif911]

do you really have faith in Wallace not screwing this up?

he'll trade gay, mayo and a future 1st for Vin Baker

[Change]

You forgot DeMarre Carroll. They'll be competitive, but nothing special. Zach will destroy their Chemistry, which means Rudy Gay signs with the Celtics in 2010.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

do you really have faith in Wallace not screwing this up?

he'll trade gay, mayo and a future 1st for Vin Baker

I wouldn't be surprised, lol. However this post is on what they have now, if things stay the way they are. Am I saying Wallace isn't going to do something stupid? No. But I am saying that what he has now is not half bad.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

You forgot DeMarre Carroll. They'll be competitive, but nothing special. Zach will destroy their Chemistry, which means Rudy Gay signs with the Celtics in 2010.

Very true, TP. He could be a decent piece for the future if he develops.

[Who]

I'm thinking 25 wins. A lot of one-dimensional scorers on that team. Looks a very poor defensive squad still too.

I feel sorry for Mike Conley, he's in for heck of a long season, just imagine trying to keep that offense in working order? Every possession one of those guys is going to break the play and go solo. Poor lad.

[RayRay4MVP]

33-49. Too many scorers.

[Celtic Fan Forever]

33-49. Too many scorers.

That's not a bad thing for an offense ranked 29th in the league last year in scoring.

[cdif911]

34-47 - 1 game will be cancelled because Elvis will come back and demand the name of the team be changed because gosh darnedit, grizzly bears in memphis, thats just crazy - the ensuing protest by elvis and his fans will lead to the grizzlies (foreverafter rechristened the Memphis Blues - orchestrated through a trade with the St. Louis Blues where they give up Mike Conley for Goaltender Chris Mason (sadly neither make it as a crossover athlete, Conley can't skate and Mason refuses to take his mask and pads off, leaving him hopelessly immobile)) not playing the also poorly named Utah Jazz.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) neither team qualified for the playoffs so decide not to make the game up.

[timepiece33]

I doubt Warrick resigns with them.  He would seem to be a decent target for a team looking to split it's MLE.