Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:02 am
Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:04 am
06-07 Team Record: 22-60
Most Likely 07-08 Starting Lineup:
C: Darko Milicic
PF: Pau Gasol
SF: Rudy Gay
SG: Mike Miller
PG: Juan Carlos Navarro
Who To Have On Your Fantasy Squad: With Darko alongside him, Pau Gasol will probably have the best and most efficient season of his career this year. Expect him to get better looks which means better efficiency from the field. He might average rebounds in double digits and his assist numbers might rise back to the level of 4.6 a game like two seasons ago. He will get his fair share of blocks and should easily average 20 points a game.
Most Likely Team MVP: Pau Gasol is raring to go. After giving Memphis fans a scare, it seems likely that Pau will be staying and will be on a mission this season. He will be focused on helping his team win games and will get plenty of help from his roleplayers. But he is still be the leader of the pack.
Player To Watch This Year: Juan Carlos Navarro is going to have a brilliant year whether he starts in the five or not. One of the most talented scorers in the European game, he will quickly gain many fans with his seemingly unstoppable floater (ala Tony Parker) and his understanding of Pau's game (and vice versa) will hopefully translate to the NBA game.
Team Preview: The Grizzlies only looked so bad becuase Pau Gasol was injured last season. If Pau had played, they would have been a playoff side. With that said, many including myself had believed that the side wouldn't be a playoff side even with a healthy Pau this season. Reason being that the rest of the West looked as strong as ever.
However, the moves of the past Summer have been encouraging. Mike Conley Jr might not contributre right away but he and Kyle Lowry should be effective in spurts by forming a sort-of-a tag team. Europeans Darko Milicic and Juan Carlos Navarro are big signing coups for the Grizzlies. Milicic's athleticism and shot blocking will help Gasol in patrolling the paint on defence. His ability to score inside and out will make him and Gasol a tough frontcourt to guard. Navarro, as stated, will bring his scoring ability and also his leadership and experience to a young Grizzlies side.
One interesting thing to keep an eye on is for which PG will start for the side. Training camp will see Navarro, Conley, and Lowry battling for minutes and a starting spot. Damon Stoudamire would have been my choice to start but he has recently demanded a trade and will likely be shipped out.
It won't all be only Gasol, Milicic, and Navarro. Mike Miller played gallantly last season and should still be one of the team's leading scorers and a much needed shooter for Memphis. Rudy Gay played well in his rookie season and, provided he doesn't 'cruise,' he has skills and athleticism to play even better. Hakim Warrick, Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry, and even Casey Jacobsen will make their own impact off the bench.
They are going to play a fast brand of basketball allowing guys like Miller, Navarro, and Jacobsen to get open shots that they are more than capable of making. In turn, Gasol and Milicic can score inside and outside and will make defenders go crazy while Rudy Gay will be able to make the most of anyh open gaps in the key to throw down a big dunk. The Grizzlies are among the younger teams in the league and they are going to be one of the most underrated ones in the NBA.
Final Verdict: 8th in West, Eliminated In Playoffs In First Round
Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:18 pm
With Darko alongside him, Pau Gasol will probably have the best and most efficient season of his career this year. Expect him to get better looks which means better efficiency from the field.
Most Likely Team MVP: Pau Gasol is raring to go. After giving Memphis fans a scare, it seems likely that Pau will be staying and will be on a mission this season. He will be focused on helping his team win games and will get plenty of help from his roleplayers. But he is still be the leader of the pack.
Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:21 pm
Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:33 pm
Matthew wrote:WTF! What are you basing that on exactly? When has Darko ever made his teammates more efficent?
Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:39 pm
Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:27 pm
Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:13 pm
Fitzy wrote:durant at sg? wouldnt he be a sf and wally play guard?
Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:03 pm
Wed Sep 19, 2007 1:43 am
Jae wrote:I want to see your reasoning for Kendrick Perkins starting at PF and Garnett at C.
Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:52 pm
Silas wrote:I love your words, where do I get them?
Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:51 am