Halfway Through Season, Grizzlies on Pace for 24 - 58

Last season, the Grizzlies were a league worst 22-60. This year, they're on pace to make insignificant gains on that record. (Notably, two teams, Minnesota and Seattle, are vying for a worse record than either Griz squad.)

The Grizzlies' record doesn't demonstrate the improvements they've made. The Grizzlies are playing better basketball, and they have a bright future. Still, the Grizzlies are a terrible team, their record is below what I and I think a lot of folks - including national sports writers but especially fans and people within the organizations - expected.

Monday's game against the Bulls gives hope that the Grizzlies can be better than their record. They were fun to watch and clearly the superior team. They played team basketball.

Even Stromile Swift looked good. Almost everyone (save maybe Darko Milicic) put together a solid effort. They were able to win without playing the best game of their careers, and they didn't make some second rate bench player for Chicago look like Michael Jordan.

If I remember correctly, the season before the Grizzlies made their first playoff appearance, they began playing competitively with better teams. They lost many close matches, and they finished the season stronger than they started. There's reason to believe the same could happen this season. Their early schedule has been tougher than rest of the season, they are keeping many games close, and they're starting the become comfortable with Iavaroni's system.

Still, the bottom line is that halfway through the season, the Grizzlies are a disappointment, and they can't be complacent. They can't assume next year will be different.

The Grizzlies are Terrible

Sure, there are reasons to be optimistic. Yes, the Grizzlies have improved incrementally over last year.

But I'm sure as hell tired of waiting for next year. It's becoming an annual tradition. - hoping for a better future - waiting for that missing piece - longing for excitement to ignite the fan base.

The Grizzlies are a bad team. Being a fan is not fun. They don't play defense. They can't finish in the clutch, and they lose. Constantly.

So what the fuck is going to happen to change this piss poor excuse of a franchise? (I won't bother looking the record breaking losing percentages the Grizzlies own for the regular season and the playoffs.)

What are teams - the Lakers, Suns, Spurs, Jazz - doing differently to maintain playoff contenders with only slight interruptions going on two decades? All teams go through bad spells, but not all teams (though the Grizzlies aren't alone) consistently have bad teams.

One things for sure, the Grizzlies need to be actively seeking change. They can't fall in love with players at the expense of improving. When Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen become available, they have to trade away promising young stars, future draft picks, and salary cap relief.

Yes, there's reason for hope, but there's a shitload more reason to not give a fuck.

Conley Starts!

The Grizzlies are undefeated in 2008, and Conley is there starting point guard.

It seems that Coach Marc Iavaroni read this blog's request in deciding to start Conley who had an impressive stat line in his first start.

Conley had 7 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and only one turnover.



According to the Commercial Appeal, not only was Stoudamire benched, but he also was put on the inactive list despite being healthy enough to play. He seemed at peace with the move. Could there be a deal in the works to send Stoudamire to a contender?

It would be sad to see him go, though not as sad as seeing him fall two years ago. Also, it probably makes sense for both him and the Grizzlies is a deal can be worked out.

Regardless, this is a highlight of the season where highlights have been few and far between.

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.

Schmap Added to DavidLovesTheGrizzlies

DavidLovesTheGrizzlies.com is all about the user experience.

The folks at Schmap have designed the widget to help add value to site's like this one. Using the Schmap you can check out the Grizzlies' schedule, see game results, and check out Google Map imagery of the stadiums.

DavidLovesTheGrizzlies is helping to test this Schmap, and gather feedback to help make it more useful. So what do you think?

Feel free to post a comment with your feedback or send me an email.

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.