After satisfying offseason, Grizzlies are ready to roll
Marc Gasol held the shoes. Massive shoes. Bowling shoes. “What size?” I asked. “They’re 16,” he said. “But I have size 17 feet.”
This is what passes for a problem for the Memphis Grizzlies as a new season approaches. There’s not much else to worry about.
The team isn’t moving. The owner isn’t being cheap. The talent is deep and experienced. The season tickets are up again.
“We’re up about 1,200 over last year,” said Greg Campbell, the Grizzlies president of business operations. “There’s a lot of good happening these days.”
Gasol and Campbell were among those who gathered Saturday for Mike Conley’s annual bowling tournament to benefit Methodist Healthcare’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center. The mood was optimistic, almost ebullient. It has not always been thus.
Remember how Andy Dolich, the Grizzlies former president of business operations, used to talk about how important it was for a pro franchise to become a part of the “community’s DNA?”
It has taken a dozen years, but it feels like it that has finally happened here.
Memphians really like this team. They like the players and the staff. They like Chris Wallace, the wildly accessible GM. They like Lionel Hollins, the sometimes irascible head coach. They like Gasol, who grew into an All-Star in Memphis. They like Conley, who everybody accepts is running the show.
They like the whole under-
dog image, the idea that the Grizzlies are a bluecollar reflection of themselves. They like that Zach Randolph, Tony Allen and Mo Speights all found a home in Memphis. Maybe Wayne Ellington will be next.
“The community knows the players and likes the players,” said Pete Pranica, the television voice of the Grizzlies. “Except for Tony Allen, whom they love.”
Pranica flew into the Memphis airport recently, returning from the annual preseason broadcast meetings. When he stepped into the shuttle bus that would take him back to his car in long-term parking, he was greeted like Z-Bo himself.
“Pete Pranica, my hero!” said the driver.
Said Pranica: “That never happened before.”
In Oklahoma City, the team took root from Day One. In Memphis, it’s been a longer, harder pull. But have you ever been more optimistic about the Grizzlies? Both on and off the court?
The new owner should be approved in the next few weeks. The locals are jumping back on board. The offseason additions include Jerryd Bayless and Justin Timberlake. Tony Wroten and Harold Ford Jr. will help, too.
On Wroten: Isn’t it nice to have a first-round pick issue for Randolph has to do with constant questions about whether he can play with small forward Rudy Gay.
“I don’t understand where that comes from,” Randolph said. “Me and Rudy play well together. Before he got hurt a couple of years ago we were winning. Me, Coach and Rudy used to laugh when people said that. We complement each other very well.”
SPEAKING OF GAY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?
The Griz fielded several calls this summer from teams inquiring about a trade for Gay. Memphis management declined every offer for two reasons. The franchise still has high regard for Gay, and the offers were low in value because of a perception that the Griz wanted to dump Gay’s salary.
Truth is, the Griz see Gay as an important piece for the future. The coaches expect more playmaking and better consistency. Gay joined his teammates early last week for voluntary workouts and looked impressive. Gay’s camp could go a long way toward revealing how he felt about being left off the Olympic team as well as the pressure of living up to his maximum contract with the Griz.
4. TEAM’S CRY FOR MORE SHOOTING HAS SOUNDED LIKE BROKEN RECORD. IS THERE IMPROVED PERIMETER SHOOTING?
Memphis ranked 20th in offense last season, which could be somewhat attributed to Mayo’s struggles off the bench at shooting guard and also the team’s practically nonexistent 3-point shooting.
Ellington is described as a system player who will do well as a spot-up shooter who doesn’t have to play? If he’s ready, fabulous. If not, that’s fine, too. Other backcourt options include (deep breath) Conley, Allen, Bayless, Quincy Pondexter, Josh Selby and Ellington.
“Without a doubt, ” said Conley. “It’s the deepest team we’ve ever had.”
Nobody is saying that there is not work to be done by the franchise. Ticket sales must continue to grow. Darrell Arthur’s injury will cause some problems for Hollins, who no longer has a power forward who can guard opponents away from the hoop.
But those are minor compared with the issues of past years. They are evidence of how far the team has come.
“I like where we are right now,” said Conley. “We’re ready to roll.” To reach Geoff Calkins call 901529-2364, or e-mail calkins @ commercialappeal.com when receiving the ball out of the post. Bayless presents the most promise with his scoring mentality, and the efficiency he displayed last season.
Bayless’ 42- percent shooting from 3-point range last season would have led the Grizzlies, whose best 3-point shooter was starting point guard Mike Conley at 37.7 percent.
Second-year guard Josh Selby also could be a wild card based on his proficiency from beyond the arc during summer league play — 71 percent in four games.
CAN WE BELIEVE BACKUP POINT GUARD ISSUE IS SETTLED?
Bayless is a considerably better-than-average ballhandler with the ability to attack the rim and generate foul shots in addition to his versatile scoring ability. The Griz also are counting on Bayless’ maturation paying dividends after four NBA seasons.
“We’ve got a backup point that’s established,” Conley said.
For years, the Griz have invested very little in a backup point guard since deciding to go with Conley over Kyle Lowry. The team has relied mostly on unproven players such as Greivis Vasquez, Jeremy Pargo and Ish Smith or veterans past their prime such as Gilbert Arenas and Jamaal Tinsley. Memphis has even tried Acie Law and Marcus Williams — younger players with established reputations as underachievers.
“We had two soft spots on last year’s team — backup point guard and 3-point shooting,” Wallace said. “We’re a young team, but we’re not in our infancy, either. We’ve got a host of guys entering their prime in production years. We’re in a good place.”