Time for a Change?

We're a third of the way into the second consecutive season where the Grizzlies have underachieved.

They're painfully close to finishing with the worst record in the league when expectations are that they should be improving with Pau Gasol healthy and a full compliment of up and coming players at every position.

It's probably time for the Grizzlies to make a significant change. In last month's poll, 18 of 32 voters said the Grizzlies should 'wait and see' instead of trading Gasol or even making minor adjustments.

I disagree. The Grizzlies should actively pursue deals with everyone on the table except Rudy Gay and Mike Conley.

The latest rumor has Mike Miller headed to Miami. I'm not sure who from Miami makes sense for the Grizzlies, save Dwayne Wade, but moving Miller probably makes sense for the Grizzlies.

His three point shooting, his ball handing, and his ability to score haven't out weighed Miller's defensive deficiencies and his penchant for passing first and shooting second.

From Miami, the biggest value for the Grizzlies would be an unprotected first round draft pick in next year's draft. Miami is likely to have a lottery pick, and two top picks in the draft would help the Grizzlies fast track their rebuilding process. Besides a draft pick, Udonis Haslem and Ricky Davis' expiring contract are the only two assets that make sense for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies shouldn't give up Miller or anyone else unless they get something valuable in return, but at this point the status quo isn't working. With 27 disappointing games already in the books, it's time for a change.

Please Play Conley

Now that it's clear that the Grizzlies are lottery bound this season, I have one request for Coach Iavaroni.

When Mike Conley returns from injury, put him in the game.

Last season was hell, and the one consolation we took from that hellish nightmare was that we drafted a promising young point guard - a point guard with the potential to be great.

Damon Stoudamire has certainly provided some quality minutes at times, but he has been streaky at best, and he's not going to be around when the Grizzlies make the playoffs.

Kyle Lowry is showing potential, but he's not Deron Williams yet, so there is still room for Conley to get 20 minutes minimum per night.

It's time to cut our losses and invest in the future.

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After all, with Andy Dolich resigning and a 5 game losing streak, who would want to comment on the Grizzlies? Is it time of the OJ Mayo sweepstakes?

Trade Pau?!?!?!

After 18 games, Pau Gasol is putting up the worst numbers of his career. There have been rumors that he Grizzlies might shop him for someone who better fits Iavaroni's new system. A writer from Chicago fantasized that the Grizzlies Chicago might reopen discussion with Memphis.

He even suggested that the Bulls might get Gasol for the bargain price of Andres Nocioni and Tyrus Thomas.

However, the Grizzlies can't trade Gasol for one important reason: La Bomba.

The Grizzlies need to keep Gasol to send Juan Carlos Navarro a message that they're committed to his future. Navarro is on his way to the All-Rookie First Team, and is one of the top three point threats in the league. He's also on a one year contract. The Grizzlies can't afford to let him walk next year for nothing.

Also, despite Gasol's numbers I still think he's not easily replaceable. The Grizzlies looked lost as soon as Gasol was removed from the game against Houston for Andre Brown, and he managed to match the best center in the league, Yao Ming, in productivity.

Gasol will never be the defensive presence that the Grizzlies need in the middle, but he has re-dedicated himself to winning with the Grizzlies, so I'm willing to give him and the Grizzlies more than 18 games to pull it together.