NBA Playoffs Favorite Quote So Far

My favorite quote of the NBA playoffs comes from the second best Barry brother, Jon Barry, doing color commentary in the 3rd quarter of Bulls-Celtics game 1.

Describing Derrick Rose's dominating play, Barry says, "Is this the Memphis Tigers vs someone in that conference? I don't even know who is in that conference..."

Other commentator: "Houston or UTEP?"

Jon Barry: "I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with the Conference USA."

Grizzlies vs Hawks

I wonder if the 2009 Memphis Grizzlies can beat the Hawks minus the Hawks' starters.

The Grizzlies, Where Tanking with Your Best Players in the Game Happens.

Maybe it's not fair to call it tanking when you're trying your best to win...

Spain: Land of Grizzlies

Last week I returned to San Francisco for Spain in time to see the Grizzlies sweep the Golden State Warriors and hear about "John Calipari's march to Kentucky".

While in Spain I searched far and wide for any sign of the Memphis Grizzlies. I didn't find Juan Carlos Navarro, Rickie Rubio, or any billboards featuring Pau or Marc from Madrid to Seville to Granada.

In Cortes Ingles (think Walmart laid out like Macy's), I did find Pau sporting Laker yellow on the cover of NBA Live:

Not quite as prominently displayed, I found something called NBA 08, featuring the leagues top 6 players from 2008: Lebron, Yao, Wade, Garnett, Nash, and La Bomba!

On my last night, I found Marc Gasol's jersey at the bargain price of 60 Euros. Don't worry, I checked to be sure if didn't say "Miller".

I also noticed they have a monument to the Grizzlies in the heart of Madrid. I can only assume that is the "Tree of Financial Flexibility" on whose fruits the bear is feasting.

Though I was sporting Grizzlies Blue, sadly no Spaniards approached me to discuss our shared admiration for really tall men with scruffy beards and mullets.

On Calipari

I have never liked former Memphis Tigers Coach John Calipari. He has an impressive record, but I don't like him in spite of his recent accomplishments.

During Calipari's first season in Memphis - my last year living in Memphis - I was a Tigers season ticket holder. I attended many games in the Pyramid, and I remember thinking, "Are we really paying this guy this much money to teach these players to pass the ball around the three point line for 25 seconds?"

Years later, I remember thinking "Are we paying him this much for annual appearances in the NIT?" People forget that it took Calipari 6 seasons to coach Memphis out of the 2nd round of the NCAA tournament.

He was charismatic, and a damned good recruiter. And he seems to create a good environment for the players.

But there was always something that rubbed me the wrong way. He was always too slick, and he never said anything that made me think he had a strong basketball mind.

In 2005, the NBA added a rule that forced the Amare Stoudemires and the Lebron Jameses to endure at least one year in college before entering the NBA draft. That season, Calipari's Tigers progressed to the Elite Eight and the coach's skills as a recruiter increased significantly.

With the best college player in the country, Calipari took the Tigers to the NCAA finals.

On the most public stage in college basketball, the Tigers then suffered the most miserable, embarrassing defeat imaginable, losing to Kansas after leading by 9 with 3 minutes left in the game. When winning the game was inevitable, the team choked on possession after possession for three excruciating minutes plus overtime.

That is the memory of John Calipari's Tigers that stands out most in my mind. When the team needed a leader to pull them together, Calipari was not able to do so successfully.

Now that memory is Calipari's legacy for me.

As for the Tigers, with Calipari gone, and the recruiting class decimated, the Tigers are just as close - at least two to three seasons - to relevance as they were when he arrived.

In fact, they may be further from relevance since CUSA has also been decimated since then.

You can't argue with Calipari's results. He almost won a championship.

You can't argue with his choice to leave. I would leave my job if I liked another opportunity better.

But when I think of John Calipari, I'm not impressed.

Who's your Haddadi?

I returned from Spain to see the Grizzlies defeat the Warriors in Oakland.

Little did I know, Hamed Haddadi would have his career best game. The highlight of the game was when I got Haddadi's attention as he exited the court after the game. I wanted to be sure that he knew the fans appreciated a job well done.

I also want to give a shout out to the other Grizz fan (there was only one other) wearing a Rudy Gay jersey who I met on BART. He represented White Station class of 1993. Go Spartans.

Did you know that the Grizzlies have only won 19 games this season?

Did you know that 4 of those game were against the Warriors?

Do you think that the work of Bay Area Grizzlies fan blog David Love the Grizzlies may be having an impact?

Something to think about...

Here I am dominating the Warriors:

Spain

I'll be travelling to Spain on Friday.

My goal: Become the first Memphian living in the Bay Area to have his photo taken with "La Bomba" on two continents.

I will also keep an eye out for any Gasol monuments / billboards.

Look for updates here.

Bear Hug

Watching the Grizz - Nugg game. Rolando Balkman just bear hugged Marc Gasol from behind, and the refs called a jump ball.

When I made that play on in my buddy's driveway, he always used to say it was a foul.

I will have to update him.