Grizzlies stomping the Heat

[bocabull]

Total domination. That team is loaded when healthy. Ellington has 25 off the bench. They still need Gay to become a legit quarter to contend though.

 

[playmakr]

He's just not a quarter though. Memphis can be very difficult to deal with, but like you said you can't win with a lot of nickels and dimes. The three teams at the top of their league all have 3 quarters each, at least.

That's the problem with the Bulls right now, without Rose they are bunch of nickels and dimes and won't ever get past Miami with 3 quarters. And even with Rose, not enough. Rose needs another quarter to play with.

 

[stoops4pres]

He's just not a quarter though. Memphis can be very difficult to deal with, but like you said you can't win with a lot of nickels and dimes. The three teams at the top of their league all have 3 quarters each, at least.

That's the problem with the Bulls right now, without Rose they are bunch of nickels and dimes and won't ever get past Miami with 3 quarters. And even with Rose, not enough. Rose needs another quarter to play with.

Agreed. What's frustrating about Gay's shortcomings is that they are primarily mental; he not only has the ability to be a consistently-elite defender, but he also thinks too highly of himself on offense (he should never be leading the team in shot attempts). If he realized both of these aspects, he could make a greater impact for the team and be recognized as one of the elite small forwards in the league. With that being said, he's right on the cusp of being just as good--if not better than--a stud player like Andre Iguodala, and has improved in certain areas this season (e.g. actually utilizing his post-game). Hopefully he can enhance his game in some other areas that needs improving, but that remains to be seen.

The Grizz have two quarters with Gasol and Randolph, the best perimeter defender in the game (Allen), Gay, and an underrated point guard with Conley. Their bench has surpassed my expectations this season, and if they keep it up I think they can make a deep run in the playoffs.

 

[coolm]

yep, the Grizzlies scare me. Very talented group. I think their Gasol bro is underrated and I always just hope that Randolph is off.

 

[playmakr]

The Grizz have two quarters with Gasol and Randolph

We define quarters differently.

 

[gracefor24]

We define quarters differently.

Yep. It's tough to define. Also, it's hard as guys are aging. Garnett is no longer a quarter. Neither is Nash or Pierce. Randolph produces like a quarter but so you could throw him in and I wouldn't throw a fit but I just don't feel it with him. That said if Randolph isn't a quarter is Griffin?

 

[coolm]

Not sure how you classify Blake. But, he's at 15+ ppg and 8+ rpg while Randolph is 16+ ppg and near 15 rpg.

I know that it often feels like Zac just isn't there, but he's got some nice numbers.

 

[playmakr]

I could drop the quarter argument with ZBO pretty quickly, I like him a lot as a player and sometimes like Cool said you just have to hope he's off. I think to me that's what a quarter is, a guy you just have to hope is off. I'm not sure Blake is one. He's just so bad outside of 8 feet.

 

[stoops4pres]

We define quarters differently.

So what's your criteria for a quarter?

 

[stoops4pres]

Yep. It's tough to define. Also, it's hard as guys are aging. Garnett is no longer a quarter. Neither is Nash or Pierce. Randolph produces like a quarter but so you could throw him in and I wouldn't throw a fit but I just don't feel it with him. That said if Randolph isn't a quarter is Griffin?

It's splitting hairs, but at this point, I think Z-Bo (when healthy) is more of one than Griffin is.

Z-Bo is currently leading the league in rebounding, and the last full season he was healthy (2010-2011) he was one of the best 5 players in the playoffs. He took over some huge playoff games that season, and health-wise is looking like he has returned back to that form.

 

[gracefor24]

It's splitting hairs, but at this point, I think Z-Bo (when healthy) is more of one than Griffin is.

Z-Bo is currently leading the league in rebounding, and the last full season he was healthy (2010-2011) he was one of the best 5 players in the playoffs. He took over some huge playoff games that season, and health-wise is looking like he has returned back to that form.

Yeah, I agree with you. I think you could put Z-Bo as a quarter but you also have to factor in the defensive end where he isn't great. Not to mention I don't know if the guy has an assist in his life!

I think you have to define quarters a little more strictly or you end up letting everyone in and the definition no longer means anything.

Here are the definite quarters right now in my mind (when healthy):

Lebron
KD
Paul
Howard
Kobe
Wade
Dirk

 

[coolm]

I dont see how you put Wade or Paul there and not Kyrie Irving.

I know his "ascendance" is rather sudden, but that kid is one of the few best in the league. Without a doubt. And if I had to choose between Kyrie and CP3 I take Irving.

 

[bocabull]

Griz @ Thunder tonight. Will be interesting to watch them slug it out. Griz brute strength vs Thunder speed & shooting.

 

[gracefor24]

I dont see how you put Wade or Paul there and not Kyrie Irving.

I know his "ascendance" is rather sudden, but that kid is one of the few best in the league. Without a doubt. And if I had to choose between Kyrie and CP3 I take Irving.

I think Irving will be but I don't think he is right now. Notice I didn't even put Westbrook in there.

And taking Irving over Chris Paul is just silly.

 

[coolm]

I wouldnt put Westbrook in there either. BUT, I've been watching CP3 and Kyrie both a lot this season already and Irving is playing better than Paul.

 

[coolm]

Griz @ Thunder tonight. Will be interesting to watch them slug it out. Griz brute strength vs Thunder speed & shooting.

scary game for OKC. I think we're gonna get trounced.

That said, we have the firepower to beat them, but not sure if we can overcome our own turnovers and the offensive rebound advantage I think they will have.

 

[stoops4pres]

Yeah, I agree with you. I think you could put Z-Bo as a quarter but you also have to factor in the defensive end where he isn't great. Not to mention I don't know if the guy has an assist in his life!

I think you have to define quarters a little more strictly or you end up letting everyone in and the definition no longer means anything.

Here are the definite quarters right now in my mind (when healthy):

Lebron
KD
Paul
Howard
Kobe
Wade
Dirk

Shouldn't these guys be classified as half-dollars?

I see what you're saying. I guess it just depends to what extent a player is classified as a quarter.

 

[gracefor24]

Shouldn't these guys be classified as half-dollars?

I see what you're saying. I guess it just depends to what extent a player is classified as a quarter.

Haha. Yeah, that might be better because there should be something between quarters and dimes!

That's been my issue is you can't call Lebron a quarter and then call Blake Griffin one too. That's too wide in my opinion and doesn't give enough credit to Lebron.

I would say Lebron is a silver dollar!

 

[coolm]

I would say Lebron is a silver dollar!

F*** LeBron

 

[playmakr]

Lebron effects games more than any player to ever live.

As for the game last night, the Grizzlies bench was very impressive, didn't miss a shot. If that happens consistently, then them and the Clippers will run away in the West. I suspect they will correct to mean at some point (3 guys shooting over 50% from 3 off bench right now) and things will even out. But right now, they are definitely one of the 4 to 5 favorites in the West, at worst.