Rudy’s Return
Grizzlies fans looked forward to November 13th, last Wednesday, with great anticipation. It was Wednesday, middle of the week, hump day. The Grizzlies were playing. The Hawks were televised by ESPN, so Comcast failed to deprive fans of their beloved Grizz in local markets, such as Knoxville and Tuscaloosa. A new establishment, Club Fly, would be unveiled inside FedEx Forum. Yes, it was a Wednesday that broke the great malaise as we count down the days to Thanksgiving and the tryptophan coma that will undoubtedly ensue. Oh, and it was Rudy Gay’s return to Memphis. How would he perform as he visited the Forum for the first time in a jersey that read something other than Grizzlies across the front?
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Surely his motivation would be high, given the nature of his departure, although that characteristic was in question much of his time with the franchise. Sour feelings aside, it was a home game against a supposedly inferior opponent, and the home team needed a win. Well, I doubt I’m spoiling anything here…the Grizz lost. Toronto outscored Memphis in every quarter but the 3rd, and despite Mike Conley’s 29 point outburst, Rudy did what he hoped to do. Gay went Stat Sheet Stuffer Supreme, as Clark Kellogg would say, and filled out the box score to the tune of 23 points (4 of 6 on 3 pointers), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, and 2 blocks. I’ll mention the 4 turnovers for good measure.
It would appear that Rudy is doing well since his move to Toronto, scoring almost 20 points per game this season. A select few still believe Memphis lost out on the Rudy trade, focusing on the Grizzlies’ unattractive perimeter play. The paucity of offensive explosion is a legitimate issue at times, but I still believe that most fans interpreted the trade as mutually beneficial. In all fairness to those select few, Memphis does always seem to give more than they receive when it comes to trades, just call it southern hospitality. No one questions Rudy’s athleticism, it’s his decision making and inefficiency. Against Houston earlier this year, Gay went a whopping 11 of 37 from the field, attempting more field goals than points scored, and he had 29.
But, there are nights like Wednesday, when things click and Gay finds his groove. The Memphis offense has much better flow when a variety of players are scoring in double figures and taking attempts, versus when Rudy wants to play NBA 2K, but in real life. It’s fitting, in the end, that Rudy has been paired with Toronto. The Raptors are the one team he always played well against…this Toronto fan must be ecstatic with Rudy now on his side. The Canadian has a dirty mouth, viewer discretion advised:
Or perhaps he has developed a new opinion?…For now, he is probably happy, at least when they play the Grizzlies.
Recent Grizzlies
Rudy’s return made me reminisce of recent Grizzlies and ponder how they are performing with their new teams. Shortly after the loss to Toronto, I saw what looked like some impressive stats scrolling across the bottom line…Good Lord…Tony Wroten had dropped a triple double on Houston…in his first career start. 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds for the 6’6” 2nd year player out of Washington.
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Granted, Houston’s “Defense” has been listed as questionable for the remainder of the season.
Wroten seems to be developing nicely in an expanded role with Philadelphia. He has played in every game for the 76ers this year, scoring double figures in all but two of those contests. The backup point guard role has been a chronic issue for Memphis over the years. Once Mike Conley assumed the role of starter under Lionel Hollins, there has been habitual turnover at the position. Chucky Atkins, Keyon Dooling, Lester Hudson, and Ish Smith to name a couple, and now Wroten too.
On this same Wednesday night, another exported Grizz back-up PG surfaced. One Greivis Vasquez appeared with his first double-double of the season, in a 107-86 win over Brooklyn. Vasquez scored 17 points and assisted on 12 of his teammates’ scores. Apparently General Greivis (Star Wars reference anyone?) has landed in Sacramento, unbeknownst to me before hearing his stat line for the night.
I was fortunate enough as a sports fan and a Grizzlies fan to attend the bedlam that was the 3OT Loss to OKC in Round 2 of the 2011 Playoffs. If I had to remember Greivis for all of his moxy and confidence in one play, surely it would be his game tying shot at the end of the first overtime…a classic “NO! NO!…..YES!!!” moment (Click for Video). Vasquez is getting a chance in Sacramento, starting in all of the Kings’ games this year, along side Isaiah Thomas in the backcourt. Greivis is averaging just over 10 points and 5 assists per game, all while shooting close to 50% from the field.
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Now, I will give another shout out to Marresse Speights. Mo was one of my personal favorites in his short tenure with the Grizz. Yes, he was a loose cannon. However, he brought the kind of intensity that defines the team. He loved to get chippy. Not to mention, he actually looks like a Florida Gator. Who doesn’t remember his full court baseball passes, jump starting fast breaks when the numbers were absolutely not in the Grizzlies’ favor?…He played well when Z-bo went down with a knee injury, providing spacing with his midrange jumper. Now, he plays sparing minutes behind David Lee for Golden State, backing up another high caliber power forward as he did for Memphis. He has sniffed a double-double twice this season, going for 7 points and 8 rebounds in the season opener against the Lakers, and also against Minnesota going for 8 and 8. Good luck to you, Mo, you were a good Grizz.
LAKERS ROUND UP
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Toronto loss stung, but the Grizzlies responded with an encouraging win Friday night in “La Lucha de Gasol”. This game was different than the first 8. Joerger stuck with the starters deep into the first quarter, and continued to play them big minutes. Marc and Zach logged 42 and 36 minutes, respectively. Also, players avoided foul trouble. Mike Conley and TA had one each, and no starter committed more than Zach’s 3. The bench contributed a modest 14 points. Mike Miller took good looking shots that simply did not fall, otherwise the bench scoring could have been well into the twenties. He will hit them more often than not. But seriously, does it not seem like Miller grabs every rebound when he’s in the game? He snagged 6 against the Lakers, putting his 6’9” frame to good use on the defensive end.
This was a much needed win on the first extended road trip of the season. Zach finally showed good form as he worked hard on the blocks and found his midrange stroke. That baseline fader late in the fourth quarter was absurd. He finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and hit all 6 of his free throws. And for those of you who missed it, he had the ultimate Z-bound!
Not just the win, but the way the team played had to be satisfying for everyone. It was by no means perfect, but a lot more satisfying than Wednesday night, when Rudy popped back into town. Sunday, Memphis takes on Sacramento as the Grizz look to win consecutive games for the first time this season. The Kings are a young and ambitious team, not unlike the Pelicans and Raptors who have already shown such teams are to be respected. Then again, this is the NBA, no one should be underestimated, especially this early in the season. Having said that, the Grizzlies should be and are favored. Controlling the paint is key, as always, and the defense must contain DeMarcus Cousins. With a back-to-back on the horizon, look for Joerger to give bench players extra minutes. A Monday night renewal of Grizzlies-Clippers awaits. I’m going to make a completely uncourageous prediction and say at least 2 technical fouls will be called…. and also an ejection. Until then, however, the Sacramento game presents a great opportunity for a road win and the Grizz need to take advantage of it.
Tipoff 6:00 Eastern / 5:00 Central / 3:00 Pacific / 1:00 Hawaiin
Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento California
Travis Nauert
bears of beale 