They may only be 5 - 4, but look at some of the wins... The Lakers, Spurs, Rockets and Mavs have all been toppled by the Grizzlies, and maybe there's a reason other than dumb luck, or the "top flight's" oversight of the competition. For what it's worth, my two cents have Memphis as the "new Utah" a.k.a. thorn in the side of the teams that will actually contend for titles, and follow through with it. (As in, the Jazz contended and never won... well, the Mavs haven't either, but you get the point.) Anyway, I feel like the Grizzlies could really be a fringe playoff team early... not that I want that. And not that it'll pan out for them, but It definitely is something impressive coming from them. As long as our Rockets can beat 'em from here out, I won't worry... and maybe it's just an early season, well placed fluke of a coincidence, that occurred due to the "top flight's" new rosters and their respective lack of practice and playing time as units. But they are building confidence with some big name wins. '94 Nuggets anyone? Nahhhhhhhhhh!
When I looked at MAVs vs Grizzlies score, it certainly send chills down my spine. I even had an omnious feeling that Suns, Rockets, Sonics & Grizzlies will be fighting for a play-off spot.
If it comes down to the Rockets having to fight with those teams for a playoff spot, they don't deserve to get in.
They have surprised me. I was expecting them to be better this year but not as good as they are playing right now. They are playing as a team,pass the ball well and cut to the basket and are getting open looks which are starting to go in. Their defense is also looking better. What they are lacking is physical toughness in the frontcourt but they are making it with good team effort. The thing that stands out is that they are looking mentally prepared for every game. I think they can make it to the playoffs as an 8th seed. The Rockets will have to contend with Memphis,Sonics, Suns and even the Jazz for a place in the playoffs. We are not good enough to beat the strong teams in the WC.
I think they're definitely a contender for the 8th spot. I don't think their team as is could ever get past the 1st round, but their chemistry is solid. Kind of annoying as I hate Jerry West. We've already lost to the Grizz; they have to be taken seriously.
With the teams that they have beaten already they certainly have to be taken seriously. They are the only team to beat us at Toyota Center so far.
I think they have the potential to get into the top 8 spots, but we all know that potential can go either way up or down.
with their long bench of athletic players, any team that relies purely on their starters and lack a strong bench will get burnt out by the grizzlies. West is a smart guy, he saw all the teams loading up on stars and depleting their benches and he responded by creating a unique team that takes advantage of those weaknesses.
Now, if you put it that way... so did CD and JVG. We just need 'em all healthy and/or off suspensions.
Memphis is doing remarkably well. And they've beaten the top teams. I just don't think there's enough room in the WC playoff bus for another team 'on the verge' If you accept the Lakers, Kings, Spurs, and Mav's are locks. Min (not convinced they're THAT good), Hou, Port, and Pho, are the next tier. Memphis will have to fight with Seattle and the Clips (who are both doing well) as well as Utah (who won't die a respectable death) for the opportunity to knock off one of the second tier teams. Don't see it happening.
Key difference? Posey. He headbutts Dirk to get him out of the game. Dirk gets 8 stitches and misses his last 4 shots. Grizz win.
Nov 22, 1:48 AM EST Grizzlies Edge SuperSonics 98-97 By TIM KORTE AP Sports Writer SEATTLE (AP) -- Jason Williams scored 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, and his 3-pointer with 10.7 seconds to play helped the Memphis Grizzlies to a 98-97 win over the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday night. It wasn't over, though, until a confusing ending. Williams' last shot put Memphis ahead 97-94, and Lorenzen Wright added a free throw that made a difference when Seattle's Vladimir Radmanovic swished a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds on the clock. After a timeout, the Grizzlies couldn't get an inbounds play started. Shane Battier bounced the ball onto the court but nobody touched it until Seattle's Ronald Murray ran it down and threw up a shot just after the horn sounded. But the clock never should have started. Officials met for a moment, then gave possession to the Sonics with 0.6 seconds left. Brent Barry inbounded to Rashard Lewis, whose one-handed toss from in front of the Memphis bench wasn't close. Wright scored 16, Mike Miller had 13 and Battier 11 for the Grizzlies, who have won four of their last five. Murray led Seattle with 26 points, while Radmanovic scored 23. Luke Ridnour had 10 for the Sonics, who led 66-56 midway through the third and seemed to have the game in control. Williams, coming off a five-point, four-turnover performance Thursday night in a home loss to Detroit, was spectacular in the second half, scoring 24 points. He finished 6-of-10 from 3-point range. It was the first time the Grizzlies have won in Seattle in 16 tries. Link to article
Grizz are legit. Their record doesn't show it because their schedule has been West-heavy and Road-heavy. They are deep and they will be there till the end. So will Denver. Utah and Seattle will fall off though...
You can scratch out Phoenix as a serious threat right now, Denver 110, Phoenix 80. OUCH! The media basically had Phoenix pencilled in and had Houston battling and probably losing their last spot to Memphis. Looks like Memphis might take Phoenix spot. Phoenix has looked brutally bad this year. People talk about Memphis being the real deal though, I think the Rockets are the real deal to.
I figure LA, DAL, SAC, SA, MIN are locks Inside track HOU, Fighting it out for the last two slots: POR, MEM, PHX, . Not afraid of memphis. THey will have a positive season if they finish 42-40. Our goals are much higher than that, as is our ceiling.
