Two Thoughts

It's good to be a Grizzlies fan right now. We've won a franchise-record 10 straight home games, are owners of a 23-19 record, and are a mere one game out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. After watching my Grizzlies pull out the win over our rivals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, last night, I have two thoughts I would like to share with Grizz Nation.

First, Rudy Gay's two dunks in the first half last night were two of the nastiest, most Earth-shattering dunks I have ever seen. Both can be found in the first 30 sec of this highlight video: http://www.nba.com/video/games/grizzlies/2010/01/22/0020900630_okc_mem_recap.nba/. For the first dunk, Gay scooped up a loose ball, dribbled behind his back to get past Kevin Durant, and then took just 4 (4!!!) steps on the Memphis side of the halfcourt line before taking off just inside the foul line and slamming the ball home. I remember jumping up from my computer, yelling, begging to see a replay. It was unbelievable. (Here's a picture if you need a new desktop background: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/photos?photoId=396108&gameId=300122029) The second dunk was just as impressive. Jamaal Tinsley grabbed a Hasheem Thabeet block, threw a hail mary to a streaking Rudy, who flew over OKC's Eric Maynor and unleashed a tomahawk jam that can only be described as violent. I was in awe. Rudy didn't stop at dunks, however. His 20-footer with 1.3 seconds remaining (his only FG of the 4th quarter) proved to be the game winner. We are all witnesses.

Second, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting that the Grizzlies are discussing a potential trade with the Utah Jazz regarding Jazz guard Ronnie Brewer. The Grizzlies have been trying to add bench support for some time and are apparently willing to part with two late first round picks in the 2010 NBA Draft and (possibly) a pick in the 2011 Draft. Brewer's agent, Henry Thomas, has confirmed talks between the Jazz and Grizzlies but has reportedly told Brewer "not to worry too much" because Thomas' other clients are often involved in trade rumors. A call to Thomas was not immediately returned. Brewer was one of the 10 players in my Trade Talk post that I hoped the Grizzlies would target. I hope that the two sides can reach an agreement because the addition of Brewer would be a huge addition for a team that is one injury away from disaster. Continue to check back with GrizzLife as we will post whatever information becomes available.

Owen