BELIEVE MEMPHIS (25-22) REBUILD

[seanbright]

GAME 32



@DEN 76-100
N. Robinson 28 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 4 stls, FG 11/28
K. Faried 15 pts, 25 reb
M. Conley 21 pts, 5 reb, 8 ast, 1 stls, 2 blks

Robinson strikes again and Faried goes crazy on the board
"Nate Robinson proves again, that he deserves a starting spot in the NBA. He is the top scorer (19,0ppg) for the Nuggets this season and the only one on the team being reliable and consistant. It seems like he could finally have found a team, where his energy and explosiveness is highly appreciated. The same goes for Kenneth Faried who scores a career high of 25 rebounds, which has been a big factor for the blowout against the Grizzlies. Right now, the Nuggets are sitting on the 9th spot of the conference, but only one game behind the pelicans and there are still many games to play. If they can bring it all together on a regular basis, it should be possible for them to reach for the play offs.
The Grizzlies are struggling a bit since they lost 3 of their last 4 games due to problems at both ends of the court. Mike Conley was showing all star performances for the last few weeks, but their big men seem to be out of form. Marc Gasol doesn't make his shots and Z-Bo can't provide his playmaking skills we have seen in the last season and with the Nuggets getting stronger and the Clippers settling down, they should start to fix their issues down in Memphis sooner rather than later"

[mp3]

Faried is a killer to keep a body on, and Robinson cam get hot quickly!

[seanbright]

GAME 33



@DET 81-85
G. Monroe 21 pts, 10 reb, 3 stls, 1 blk
M. Conley 20 pts, 3 reb, 8 ast, 4 stls, 1 blk, FG 6/24

Gasol out for the rest of the season?
"As the Grizzlies lose again, Marc Gasol left the court with a broken ankle. The Pistons were overwhelming in rebounding and as the 28 year old center wanted to do something against that, he fell on Rodney Stucked and when he landed on the ground, he twisted his ankle so heavily, that it could be it for this season. 2014 couldn't have started worse for Memphis and its seems like Sean bright has the same oppinion: ''We're bummed out, but we have keep our heads up and look forward. I'm talking to Chris Wallace every day and even before Gasols injury we were discussing trade possibilities and now I really think, that we should make a move or two. We set the foundation for this team in the last few years and now we have to keep our eyes open for new assets to remain competitive. The next few weeks could be interesting and I hope that Marc can return as soon as possible!''"

[mp3]

Huge huge loss is Gasol is done!

[seanbright]

yea will be tough to compensate his scoring and defense abilities

[seanbright]

GAME 34



SAS 108-83
M. Ginobili 30 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast, 2 stls, 2 blks
M. Conley 25 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 2 stls, 1 blk

[seanbright]

GAME 35



PHX 94-96
Z. Randolph 25 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast, 2 stls
E. Bledsoe 23 pits, 1 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl

GAME 36



ATL 70-108
Q. Pondexter 16 pts, 6 reb, 2 ast
C. Martin 12 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl

[seanbright]

Grizzlies trading Z-Bo
"Right after the blowout against the Hawks Sean Bright, the GM of the Memphis Grizzlies, announced a big time trade including fan darling Zach Randolph. The fans are shocked and staggered that their team made a move with the 2-time-allstar and centerpiece of the franchise. In short terms it is definately a devastating setback, but it could be the right decision to build a team for the future.


the Memphis Grizzlies trade:

Zach Randolph and Jon Leuer


the New Orleans Pelicans trade:

Ryan Anderson, Al-Farouq Aminu, Greg Stiemsma and a 2nd round pick



The Grizzlies get rid of a $17mio contract and cut ties with Jon Leuer, who wasn't really getting any minutes in Memphis. With Ryan Anderson they get the best 3-point-shooter of the league (.470%) who can score from all over the court. The 25 year old big man is still young and got some talent to develop. He could be a nice fit to share minutes with Ed Davis to complement each other.
Aminu is a little bit underrated in the NBA, because of a non existing jump shot, but he provides remarkable defense and rebounding skills and brings a lot of energy on the court, which should make him suit to the Grizzlies perfectly. With Tayshaun Prince being back from his harmstring sprain, he has to fight for minutes but the fact that Prince is really struggling with injures this season, he should be on the court frequently. Aminu's expiring contract is restricted, so the Grizzlies can resign him or take the salary to make a move on the free agents market.
Greg Stiemsa is coming in, because of Marc Gasol being out. He is a solid benchplayer and will be the back up for Kosta Koufos. He also brings another expiring contract to the franchise, which makes them able to generate a lot of cap space in the off-season. And dont forget about the draft pick. In this fully loaded year, even 2nd round picks are pretty valuable!

The Pelicans get a player, who could help them to make the next step. Randolph's experience on and off the court will help the young roster to develop and with the play-off seeds not being far away, it could be the trade, that had to be done for the Pelicans.

Looks like a win-win situation."

[Vespasian92]

I actually like the trade. Save money, add some much-needed 3pt shooting, and get a quality young guy in Aminu.

[seanbright]

Welcome to Memphis

[seanbright]

GAME 37



OKC 111-92
R. Westbrook 34 pts, 1 reb, 7 ast, 4 stls
M. Conley 29 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast


GAME 38



@MIL 93-111
O.J. Mayo 17 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 2 blks
L. Sanders 11 pts, 22 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl
M. Conley 25 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk


GAME 39



@SAC 83-117
M. Thornton 25 pts, 3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl, 2 blks
M. Conley 17 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl


GAME 40



NO 96-89
T. Evans 19 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 2 stls
M. Conley 16 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 4 stls, 2 blks


GAME 41



@HOU 103-104
J. Harden 29 pts, 4 reb, 6 ast, 2 stls, 1 blk
M. Conley 36 pts, 4 reb, 8 ast, 1 stl


GAME 42



HOU 103-89
J. Harden 44 pts, 5 reb, 6 ast
M. Conley 33 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast, 3 stls, 1 blk

[seanbright]

if it really was the right decision to trade randolph ? tough times in memphis

[seanbright]

Meanwhile in the NBA...

17/1
Nets-Trade: Jason Terry
Rockets-Trade: Steve Novak, 2nd round pick

[Martti.]

Wow, the trade hasn't worked out at all. But I personally like the deal, let's hope it will work out soon.

[seanbright]

actually it is more fun to play now, because with anderson being outside on the perimeter, there is plenty of space for conley to go inside and make the plays. but i have to improve integrating anderson into the offense. he's getting guarded so heavy, that it's tough to get him an open shot. have to play more pick and pop!
ed davis is also getting more minutes now and it pays off. not really setting plays for him. just let him get the offensive board and put it in. easy buckets

not sure if i want to go into the next season with both of them. i might be looking who fits better into the rotation

[mp3]

I think whenever a trade is made it takes time to adjust to the new players style of play and how it fits in with the rest of the team, just like in real life i guess

[Chicago231]

Cap space for 2014 free agency is great to have. That 2014 free agency is loaded with impact players. So is the draft pool of 2014.

[seanbright]

GAME 43



@POR 98-93
A. Aminu 25 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast, 2 stls, 1 blk
D. Lillard 19 pts, 3 reb, 5 ast


GAME 44



@SAC 93-91
M. Conley 26 pts, 1 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl
A. Aminu 17 pts, 12 reb, 2 ast, 2 stls, 2 blks
I. Thomas 27 pts, 1 reb, 6 ast, 6 to


GAME 45



@MIN 102-91
M. Conley 29 pts, 2 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
K. Martin 34 pts, 4 reb, 3 ast, 2 sltls

[seanbright]

finally i was able to get on a little streak on the road with aminu playing pretty well. conley as the first scoring option is also getting it done!
unfortunately i'm having some issues with my internet provider and i have to post this with a friends computer. i hope i can fix that soon.

yes, i will have capspace, but i have to use it wisely. who do i want to resign? who do i want to let go? and who could i get in free agency? the grizzlies aren't a franchise that attracts stars to join. i'm pretty excited to keep going and i can announce, that i will make a trade after a few games later. i want to keep the rebuild going. maybe a little bit of tanking.. who knows?!

[Chicago231]

How much cap space do you have for the 2014 free agency? You don't need a big star, Conley and Gasol are your main pieces. Maybe you should get a better bench. This team is great you should sign a sixth man caliber player, or sign a Post up player at PF(maybe Pau Gasol? But he is already 30 years old). Maybe a shooting guard?

Maybe you can tank but don't trade Gasol and Conley, they are your core for the future. Maybe retool?

[seanbright]

GAME 46



MIL 98-89
J. Richardson 24 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 3 stls, 1 blk
M. Conley 22 pts, 4 reb, 4 ast, 1 stl, 2 blks


GAME 47

@OKC 96-107
K. Durant 22 pts, 10 reb, 7 ast
M. Conley 33 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 3 stls



"Right after the game versus the Thunder, it was announced that the Grizzlies made another trade. It looks like tanking, it smells like tanking and an insider told us, that it actually is tanking! Marc Gasol is injured, they gave away Zach Randolph and now they trade their starting center Kosta Koufos, who scored a double-double in their last game in Oklahoma. It seems, that they also join the race for the 2014 lottery picks.
Kosta Koufos was send to Portland in a package with Quincy Pondexter, who hasn't been a big impact on the court. In exchange, they get C.J. McCollum, Meyers Leonard and a 1st round pick for the 2014 fully loaded draft class.

the Memphis Grizzlies trade:

Kosta Koufos and Quincy Pondexter


the Portland Trailblazers trade:

C.J. McCollum, Meyers Leonard and a 1st round pick




Obviously there is no hope left in Memphis, that they could make the play offs without Gasol and Randolph and decide to ensure that with trading Koufos and Pondexter. They acquire C.J. McCollum, the 22 year old shooting guard out of Lehigh, who just came back from his foot injury. He's a very capable scorer with a high ceiling. When the 2013 rookie class convened for its annual photo shoot and filled out its NBA.com Rookie Survey, the class voted McCollum as the co-favorite 2013-14 Rookie of the Year.
Meyers Leonard is a tall and athletic Center, who wasn't really convincing in his rookie year, but he should have the skillset to become a solid roleplayer in the league.
Obviously Portland realize, that they are ready for a deep play-off run and they want to bolster their frontcourt defense. Koufos played really solid as a starter for the Grizzlies, so it was a little bit of overpayment needed to get him.
McCollum and Leonard are expected to play in the next game against the Mavericks."

[seanbright]

[seanbright]

meanwhile in the NBA...

26/1
Heat-Trade: Shane Battier
Spurs-Trade: Matt Bonner, 1st round pick

2/1
76ers-Trade: Jason Richardson, Lavoy Allen
Bucks-Trade: Luke Ridnour, Ekpe Udoh