| Lottery Summit: Memphis Grizzles Authored by Andrew Perna & The RGM Grizzles Forum - May 14, 2008 - 1:52 pm
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The Memphis Grizzles:
2007-08 Record: 22-60
Difference From 2006-07: No Change
Chance Of Landing #1 Pick: 13.7%
Restricted Free Agents: Andre Brown, Juan Carlos Navarro
Unrestricted Free Agents: Kwame Brown, Casey Jacobson
The Verdicts
1. What could the team have done different to make the playoffs?
Cubboo: I'm not sure we could have done anything differently to have made the playoffs. Right now I don't think we had (have) the personnel to get it done. So from a personnel perspective nothing would have changed the outcome. I expected this season to be a time for our players to mature and grow together. Hoping to catch lightning in a bottle is probably not a reasonable expectation.
hptmatthew: Nothing would have really helped, although better defensive schemes and better defensive players in close games could have gone a long way. However, that probably still wouldn’t have gotten us into the playoffs.
GrizzledGrizzFan: Nothing. This team at best was a ninth/tenth place team, even if things had played out correctly.
2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Cubboo: Biggest strengths? Hmm, ability to lose in the clutch?
hptmatthew: The fact that we stunk, and that made it ok to give plenty of time to young and undeveloped players. Unfortunately, that just gave the world a chance to see that there are a couple of them who just don't belong in the NBA.
GrizzledGrizzFan: Youth. The Grizz have a few good, young players.
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Cubboo: Mike Miller is probably the most consistent and effective player we have now. But if I expected it, does that make it surprising? I would choose Kyle Lowry. I wasn't sure what to expect from him after his injury last season and wondered if he could be consistent all season. I was pleasantly surprised with his play and toughness.
hptmatthew: Hakim Warrick after the Pau Gasol trade. He extended his range and became an ever better scorer.
GrizzledGrizzFan: Rudy Gay. He exceeded almost everyone's expectations.
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Cubboo: Casey Jacobsen. He was brought in for his outside shooting and familiarity with coach Marc Iavaroni. His shooting was abysmal and I didn't see that his familiarity with the "system" helped us or him.
hptmatthew: Warrick, this time for his defense. Either he completely lacks the ability or the will, to learn to play better defense.
GrizzledGrizzFan: Iavaroni. He was supposed to bring an emphasis on defense that fed off of an upbeat offense. He was also known for working well with bigs. He failed miserably on all counts in his first season.
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Cubboo: I have very little confidence in the front office. I'm not sure who is calling the shots, Michael Heisley or Chris Wallace. I have a very small amount of confidence in Wallace at this point and zero confidence in Heisley. Seriously, we traded Pau for some magic beans and an expiring contract.
hptmatthew: Not very. We signed Darko out of desperation last year, and that's just horrible. If I hear the phrase "lightning in a bottle" from Heisley/Wallace/Iavaroni once between now and the draft, my confidence level will approach infinity in the negative.
GrizzledGrizzFan: I have no confidence in the Grizz's front office whatsoever.
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Cubboo: Interior toughness, rebounding and control the paint.
hptmatthew: A thug who can rebound and score.
GrizzledGrizzFan: We only seem to be set at point guard and small forward.
7. Assuming the lottery plays out true, who would you like your team to select?
Cubboo: Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Brook Lopez and OJ Mayo (in that order) depending on availability. Danilo Gallinari has an outside shot as well. If we fall outside the top-four, I expect us to trade down (or up if possible) and package our pick with a current player.
hptmatthew: If the lottery plays out true my answer for question six cannot come to pass at the fourth pick, and the Grizzlies will select Gallinari. I just hope he turns out better than Andrea Bust-gnani. If we take Brook Lopez, PhD. Griz(below) and I will be found picketing the day after the draft.
GrizzledGrizzFan: If the Grizz pick fourth, I'd like to see them take Anthony Randolph, Eric Gordon or Mayo.
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Andrew Perna is a Senior Writer for RealGM. If you’re a fan of one of the many teams that we have yet to feature, surf over to our forums and weigh in on what is happening within the organization. If you’d like to contact Andrew, shoot him an e-mail at Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
