Greetings, Grizz Nation

Today is Friday, January 1, 2010.
It is the start of a new decade, and the end of an old one. For the Memphis Grizzlies, the 2000s were mostly forgettable--with the move to Memphis and the 3-year playoff run being the lone exceptions. But since it is a new year, and a new beginning for our young little bears, I am at my most optimistic (somewhere, Robert Hoehn is cringing...)So, without further ado, I will peer into my crystal ball and make fearless predictions for the following years.

2010: Best-case scenario: Zach Randolph continues his one-dunk-per-half-season, "Are you kidding me?" play, characterized by perfectly timed rebounding, banks off of every square inch of the glass, and "Welcome to the league, Tyler Hansborough" swagger. (I agree, Mr. Mercer, he is playing as well as any Grizzly, ever.)Along with Randolph, Mike Conley Jr. continues developing. He gets more agressive, he drives the lane with both hands, he creates. Tim Legler shocks Grizz Nation by calling Conley "the next Rajon Rondo". O.J. Mayo remains content with his reduced role in the offense, which often includes only 2 or 3 touches in a whole quarter, while at the same time working on getting into the paint and getting to the line. (The difference in Gay's 21 pts a game and Mayo's 17 is largely free-throw attempts). Speaking of Gay, well, he doesn't lose sight of the fact that it's a contract year, and that he has to play defense--even if it's what Stephen Marbur-I mean Maroda would call "fake hustle". Personally, I would like to see Gay drive and kick the ball out more. I feel like most of the time it's either a) Rudy without the ball or b) Rudy with the ball, no one else is even on the court, 5% chance anyone else takes a shot on this possession besides Gay. But, I guess when you don't have a shooter, kicking the ball out doesn't do much good. On to the bench: Sam Young learns how to not travel when he pump fakes, remembers that he is a rookie (and the sixth option offensively) and that his main role on the team right now is to provide energy, hustle points, and rest for the starters. "Junkyard dog" Carroll develops something closely resembling a jump shot, and more than anything, eats up minutes. Hasheem "the Dream" makes Grizzlies fans forget about Tyreke Evans or Brandon Jennings, continues to learn the game of basketball, and develops the ability to catch an entry pass and make a strong move to the basket. I believe in the Tanzanian, I really do. Finally, Arthur gets healthy and adds minutes without disrupting the chemistry.
The Grizzlies continue their improved play, and make the playoffs as the 8 seed in the West with a 44-38 record.

Worst-case scenario: Randolph gets selfish and unruly, disrupts team chemistry, and instigates a resounding "I told you so" from pessimistic, half-hearted Grizzly fans. Too many shot attempts and a lack of energy on the court, as the Grizz lose their inside advantage. Oj becomes discontent with his role, and is quoted in the Commercial Appeal as saying, "Man, it's just tough. I've been the number one guy all my life. 6 years in high school, at USC, everywhere. You just can't tell me I'm not a go-to guy in this league." Stat lines start looking like this: Mayo- 12 points, 5-17 from the field, 1-7 from behind the arc. Rudy starts sucking up to contenders, lobbying for a move out of Memphis and mediocrity. He kindly allows Kobe or Carmelo to put up their 40 night in and night out. Marc Gasol reverts to his Lausanne ways. (Nothing else needs to be said.)Conley loses his aggressiveness and any kind of outside shot, Young stops driving baseline, and Thabeet's only contibution offensively continues to be underwhelming picks for Conley at the top of the key. The Grizzlies stop playing for Hollins, start playing for their contracts, and slowly regress back to the Barone era. (Paul, forgive me...)Final record: 29-53, 12th in the Western Conference.

In the future...
Best-case: Heisley and Wallace are SMART with their handling of Rudy Gay. Whether that means trading or re-signing, they wait until the trade deadline (instead of 3 weeks before a la the Pau Donation) to make a move. This will maximize Gay's trade value...and besides, at the end of the day, if we want Gay, we get him. The Grizzlies use 2 of their 3 first-round draft picks to trade up in the draft, hopefully landing a shooter or trading for an already-proven one. (I like the thought of getting J.J. from the Magic.) Mayo spends more than 4 years in Memphis, and the city begins to rally behind the Grizzlies as the Tigers rebuild. A local ownership group emerges, and Heisley sells the Grizzlies in 2 years. Grizzlies fans are assured that there will be professional basketball in Memphis long after the initial lease on the FedExForum is up.

Worst-case: Grizzlies trade Gay for a washed-up veteran and expiring contracts, Mayo wants out, Heisley the Martyr continues to save his money. Grizzlies' attendance remains at the bottom of the league, and half the concession stands in the Terrace Level remain closed for every game except Cleveland and the Lake Show. The Grizzlies' lone national TV appearance happens on MLK day for the next 3 years, and the team moves to Las Vegas or Cape Town or New Zealand in 2013.

But for today, I am optimistic. Viva los Underdogs, and viva the GrizzLife.