-= Memphis Grizzlies =- [Mike Fratello Q&A]

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Game: NBA Live 07
Platform: PC
Season Length: 82 Games
Quarter Length: 12 min
Playoff Format: 7-7-7-7
Difficulty: Superstar
Roster: Andrew's V 1.00

**I don't know when I will start the dynasty, but probably a few days after I get the game. I found a site that is shipping 07 on October 5th, and I plan to get it around October 10th. Just getting my dynasty up early so I can start working on it.**

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Head Coach: Mike Fratello (Montclair State)







None at present

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September 1, 2006 - F Pau Gasol injured left foot (broken fifth metatarsal) during World Championships

September 8, 2006 - F Pau Gasol undergoes succesful surgery on left foot (broken fifth metatarsal), expected to be out 4 months

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A recent survey found that NBA GMs around the league believe these five players will be the top candidates for the MVP award in 2006-07:

1. Kobe Bryant, SG - Los Angeles Lakers

2. LeBron James, SF - Cleveland Cavaliers

3. Dirk Nowitzki, PF - Dallas Mavericks

4. Tim Duncan, PF - San Antonio Spurs

5. Dwyane Wade, SG - Miami Heat







September 25, 2006 - Small Forward Rudy Gay will make his NBA regular season debut against the team that drafted him with the 8th overall selection, the Houston Rockets. GM Jerry West has said on multiple occasions that Rudy Gay is a player that could well be an All-Star every year of his career. Coach Mike Fratello pointed out that shooting guard Mike Miller will likely remain the teams sixth man, which in turn leaves a swingman spot wide open for Gay. Fratello also said he would likely start swingman Eddie Jones as a shooting guard and have Rudy Gay run the wing.

September 25, 2006 - Rookie point guard Kyle Lowry is expected to be the backup point guard behind starter Damon Stoudamire. Lowry has been described by GM Jerry West as "very tough, smart and quick", all the things essential for a point guard in the NBA. Fans have noticed the decline in Stoudamires game and the fact that PG Chucky Atkins will most likely just serve as a mentor playing limited minutes, so don't be suprised if Lowry starts more games than his competition this season.

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September 30, 2006 - NBA.com will be having an interview with Memphis Grizzlies head coach Mike Fratello today. Read what Mike has to say about his players, team and goals this year.

September 26, 2006 - The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that new rookies Rudy Gay and Kyle Lowry will be online to answer questions from followers and fans of the Memphis franchise. Lowry and Gay will stop by and answer 5 questions each. Post up your burning questions and see what the players themselves have to say!

September 25, 2006 - Before the draft, GM Jerry West sorted out a deal to bring ex-grizzly Stromile Swift back to Memphis, along with potentially the best player in the draft, for long time fan favorite and Team USA player Shane Battier. Swift, a player who has all the tools but so far has never put together a season that would back up his 2nd overall selection back in 2000. The Grizzlies gave up a solid, consistant, hard-working small forward willing to do all the little things for an under-achieving power forward and a college phenom that was yet to play a minute of NBA level basketball. That trade has already begun to pay off. Memphis star play Pau Gasol underwent sugery on his broken toe two weeks ago and most likely won't be back till at least November, however, had the Grizzlies not made that draft night trade, they would be without a real offensive threat and would have to start Jake Tsakalidis at C and 2nd year man Hakim Warrick at PF, hardly an intimidating frontcourt.

Swift will step in a play both frontcourt positions while Gay will start at the small forward spot and instantly become a main target on offence. Up until Pau gets back, rookie Rudy Gay may be the leading scorer. If the Grizzlies can stay around .500 until their star big man returns, it should be smooth sailing towards the playoffs from there, and hopefully onto Memphis' first postseason win.

[Marquis]

Simple, but great looking banners man. Good luck

[Jugs]

The Grizzshizzles! Good Luckdizzles.

[funk99]

Great Start Looks Great and Rudy Gay for ROY

[Mark.]

Yeah I really like those Banners I'm looking forward to this.

BTW ill add you to my MSN

[rongotai]

Sexy stuff man

Following

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thanks guys, I cant wait to get the game

[nets4life]

im loving it great layout, detail and depth

[Its_asdf]

If you give Dahntay Jones a decent amount of minutes I will love you forever.

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I was thinking about trading him along with Damon Stoudamire later in the season but we will see

[Mark.]

Im really liking these little articles you have going, I dont think you should put too much pressure on Rudy Gay so early though....... I would expect to see Miller and Jones pick up a lot of the scoring with Gasol out.....

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Jones will most likely start out leading the team in scoring, followed by either swift or miller. I need a post presence and i have a very quick and athletic big man in swift, plus i got 7-2 Jake Tsakalidis who should be good for around 7-8 a night, depending who the opposing center is. So yeah, im guessing Rudy will probably be the 3 option during the first 10-15 games, but if he handles that well enough, he could be the leading scorer by the time Pau is back. He is probably the most offensively skilled non post player on the grizz, or at least has the chance to be. thanks for the comments.

by the way, I hardly ever go on MSN so i might not be on for a while + i just restored my computer a few days back and i havnt bothered to download it again

[Fresh8]

Flite, ur presentation is great and I hope that Pau onl;y comes back in December Yeah, I think you should make Rudy Gay one of ur main options... I think the real Grizz wanna see him making the most of Pau being injured...

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Thanks.

The dynasty might be over already as i just found out u need a DVD drive to play 07

[Jing]

but... you play madden, and thats on dvd drive as well.... unless you downloaded it

[nets4life]

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/c_463.html?d=723

$36.90 (Lowest on pricespy) including gst but there will be some package costs
or you could get a rewritable dvd drive

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/c_217.html?d=6198

$56.23 (Lowest on pricespy) including gst but there will be some package costs

hope that helps

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but... you play madden, and thats on dvd drive as well.... unless you downloaded it

No comment.

hope that helps

I really wanna do this dynasty, i hope so. thanks man

[funk99]

U can get a DVD rom for very cheap man. Go get one its cheap as.

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New Grizzlies Rookies Stop By To Answer Fans' Questions


Q: Kyle, what are you hoping from yourself this season, and do you think you may be able to grab the starting PG sport come seasons end?

Kyle Lowry: All I want to do this year for myself is become a better player, learn more. Having a guy like Damon to mentor me through my rookie year is good, because we all know how well he adjusted to the NBA in his first season. About the starting job, I really don't know, we'll see what happens.

Q: I have a question for Kyle Lowry. How do you feel about having a dominant post man in Memphis, unlike back in Villanova?

Kyle Lowry: I'm very excited to play with Pau. Anytime you have a dominant post player on your team, a true big man, it opens up things for us guards. I'm really looking forward to this season.

Q: Rudy, Do you plan on entering the dunk contest this year?

Rudy Gay: Sure, I would love to enter the dunk contest. Its one of those things you dream about as a kid. I would love to go head to head with guys like Andre, Nate, Gerald and James. It should be alot of fun this season.

Q: Kyle, Lots of people are saying your outside shot is far too inconsistant, What do you have to say about that?

Kyle Lowry: I know its something I have to work on, and thats what I have been doing alot of since I got here. I know we don't have alot of deep threats going into the season, but one of my goals is to become one of them.

Q: Rudy, What were you thinking when you slipped all the way down to 8th?

Rudy Gay: Honestly, I didn't know what to think. I thought I was going at least top 4 or 5, but now I see it doesn't matter where your drafted, its what you do with your chance. I plan on making the 7 teams that skipped over me and Houston wish they never gave up the oppurtunity to take me. In the end, I wind up in Memphis, in a great situation for me. I'm happy to be here.

Q: Rudy, I know everyone around the country knows you can dunk, but whats the best you have ever pulled off?

Rudy Gay: Man, I don't know. Theres been plenty of dunks that I have put down that have been really simple but got me and the team fired up, so its hard to say. In terms of difficulty, I would have to say a windmill from the freethrow line during practice back at UConn.

Q: Kyle, Jerry West has said that you are one of his favorites, What does that mean to you?

Kyle Lowry: For Jerry to say that, as an NBA legend and one of the best GMs ever, is an honor. To know that I have a guy like him saying stuff like that during my rookie year makes that transition preiod easier, it gives me a warm welcome. I don't have that constant worrying of what the GM thinks of me... It's good to know that he wants me here in Memphis.

Q: Rudy, What has been the hardest thing to adjust to so far?

Rudy Gay: Probably just the style of play. It's a different brand of basketball. Back in college it was all about being smart with the ball, everyone played a major factor. It's still like that, but there is an added dimension, exploiting matchups. The amount of plays we have just to gain a matchup advantage are tremendous. I'm still learning my way, but I gotta say the style of play is the thing that has affected me the most.

Q: Kyle, do you have any predictions for this season?

Kyle Lowry: I don't usually do this, but we have all the pieces to go back to the playoffs and win a game, if not a series this time round. Plenty of people are not expecting a whole lot this year especially with the loss of Pau for the first few months, but I don't see why we couldn't go back and win.

Q: Rudy, how do you feel about having the starting role handed to you?

Rudy Gay: I feel honored, and I promise I will not let anyone down. People have been saying there is too much pressure on me to contribute with the loss of Pau, but I don't feel any pressure at all. I will just go out there and do my thing and help get my team the win. I want to win the championship, I want to win the ROY, I want to be the best I can be, and as long as I stay hungry, Memphis is in for a show.

Moderator: Thanks for coming in guys, and thanks to the fans for their questions. See these new rookies in pre-season action on Oct. 10th against Houston!