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Perfect Season?

Yes, it’s early, and this is likely as ignorant of reality as a Cubs fan expecting to break the streak, but I am already excited. Not just because we are 2-0 in the preseason. That holds about as much weight as Calipari’s claims of ignorance, but I have been very impressed with several factors in the recent wins.

The first is the newfound resistance to folding when the game is on the line. It’s a well-known tendency of the Grizz to play great for several quarters only to fold in the third or the fourth quarter. Well in these first two games, our hometown heroes have had to bounce back from some kind of deficit. In the first game, against the Pacers, the Grizzlies lost their four point halftime lead to begin the fourth quarter down five. It seemed like it was going to be the same ole same ole from the Grizz. Give up, game over, lose by fifteen. But no, the team rallied for a comeback, outscoring the Pacers by seven in the fourth on the way to a narrow two point victory.

In the next game, the Hawks dominated the Grizzlies on the way to a 54-33 lead at half. Thirty three points in the first half. Pretty pathetic. But, again, the Grizz bounced back with an explosive second half, and in the third quarter outscoring the Hawks 42-18. We were able to hang on at the end of the fourth to send the game into extra time. At this point, the cynic would just assume that this affords the Grizz another chance to blow the game. But again, the Grizz came through in the clutch to ensure a hard fought road victory. Neither of these games were pretty wins, but in each the Grizz found a way to grind out a win despite 27 turnovers in the first game and 22 in the second. They were able to step up on defense when necessary and pull out the W.

Also, I saw some potential in the bench performances over the first two games. Not exactly perfect play, but there were some shining moments. Hasheem threw up ten points in the first half on 3-3 shooting. Sure, he managed later to foul out with only ten points, but hey, it’s still the preseason. Sam Young had two solid games, with six and thirteen points. But most impressively, Acie Law had six points against the Pacers and against the Hawks, had nineteen to lead the Grizzlies in scoring. He did it everywhere- midrange, slashing, three-balls, and free throws. He looks like he could be a huge addition to the notoriously weak Grizz bench.

It may not be much to get excited about. But hey, I’m a Grizz fan. You gotta find some sustenance somewhere. Let’s see if we can come out strong again tomorrow night against the Hornets. And while on the topic, who’d have thought that a guy named Quincy Pondexter would turn out to be an NBA player? Go figure.

Michael

Michael Heisley: I was wrong

“I bet on my team every night.” –Pete Rose

“I did take a banned substance. And for that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful." –Alex Rodriguez

“There’s no question I’m doing what I should have probably done earlier.” –Michael Heisley

Rose. A-Rod. Heisley. Three immensely successful men. Three men who struggled to admit their mistakes, but eventually did.

The Commercial Appeal reported earlier tonight that Grizzly management has caved in concerning the contract disputes with Xavier Henry and Grievis Vasquez and are now closer than ever to reaching an agreement. According to Ronald Tillery, all performance incentives in the rookies' contracts have been removed, and both Henry and Vasquez will receive the full 120% salary automatically if they sign. The New York Times has reported that Wallace and Henry's agent Arn Tellem will talk Thursday.

I ask that you go back with me a few weeks. Michael Heisley, for the first time ever, had decided to go on the Chris Vernon Show. When asked why he was the only owner taking this type of stand, Heisley said this:

Heisley: "I don’t know why they don't do it and quite bluntly I don't really care why they don't do it. I basically am trying to run my team. I'm trying to run my business. They're trying to run theirs. It's a good question. Why don't they do it? I don’t really care what the answer is.

As someone who has been relatively pro-Heisley for most of my fanhood, it was after comments like this one (ie the now famous, "I've never seen the collective bargaining agreement") that I threw my hands up in the air and finally joined much of grizz nation (country?) in their anti-Heisley sentiments. While it is extremely good news for grizzlifers out there that our owner has finally come around and admitted his stupidity, I'm afraid that the damage has already been done. It will be harder than normal next spring to get potential signees in to workout. Why would an agent want to work with Heisley?

But none of that matters to me right now. I'm excited to know that these two rookies will be in a grizzly uniform this season and that they will be contributors on what is becoming an average bench (compared to a horrible one last season). With our core returning, a better bench, and a weaker western conference, the grizzlies seem to be in the best position in recent memory to compete for playoff wins. It's year 3 of the infamous "3 year plan" and if the team produces like Heisley claims they should, this grizzlifer will be willing to forgive him for the gross misstep of this offseason.

More to come from grizzlife, stay tuned...

I live the grizzlife and love it,

Paul

Grizz New Advertising

Make sure you read this article in today's Commercial Appeal.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/sep/02/grizzlies-launch-press-to-stir-fans/

My 3 favorite new slogans are:

"We believe underdogs bite harder."

"We believe in showing the world what Memphis means."

"We believe in jerseys with blue collars."

Let's Get it Grizz!

Xavier Henry on the Trade Block?

File this under "I Told You So." According to the Commercial Appeal's Ron Tillery, the Memphis Grizzlies have received several offers from teams wanting to trade for #12 pick Xavier Henry. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley is insisting that Henry will not be traded and that the team's main focus is working out a deal with him.

The point of contention in the negotiations with Henry and his agent Arn Tellem has been rookie bonuses. Typically, rookies receive 120% of the salary assigned to them by the collective bargaining agreement. However, Heisley wants to change that tradition and feels that Henry must earn that extra 20%. Despite letting last year's first-round draft picks (Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll) earn that 20% through participation in workouts and the NBA Summer League, Heisley wants Henry to earn his bonus through selection to the All-Rookie team. Obviously, Henry and Tellem are upset that they are not receiving traditional rookie treatment and are incensed at the offer of a Rookie Team selection for bonuses.

By offering Henry his 20% bonus, Heisley is sending the message that individual accomplishments are more important than team accomplishments. Thabeet and Carroll's bonuses were earned through workouts and Summer League, activities that benefit both the player and the team. Henry's charge to make the All-Rookie team is a purely individual pursuit. If he feels that he doesn't have the requisite stats to make that team, Henry will be gunning for his own shot when he should be playing team basketball. It's a horrible way to motivate a player. If the Grizzlies had told Rudy Gay in his contract negotiations, "Rudy, we're going to give you a 20% bonus if you make the All-NBA team," how do you think that would affect Rudy's play this season? He would be going for 30 points a night and crippling the team in the process! And that's exactly what is happening with Xavier Henry.

I've said it all summer and I'll repeat myself again: the Grizzlies are doing irreparable harm to the team with the way they are handling the contract negotiations with #12 pick Xavier Henry. Prospects already don't want to work out for the team. These negotiations certainly won't improve that. Future Grizzlies' draft picks will refuse to play for the team since they know how horribly management treats players.

Michael, we need Xavier Henry on this year's Memphis Grizzlies. He is a phenomenal shooter, adds length to the guard position and is a top-flight athlete. Losing him would put our playoff chances in serious jeopardy. Please get off your high horse and sign him.

Owen