Will T-Wolves make the playoffs?

That team is getting blown up, with Spree, Sam, and Kandi all on the block.

Doesn't Wally count as a young shooter?

Evan

 

they will keep kg, griff, wally, hassell, and hudson. look for them to sign a PG like stoudamire or jaric and trade cassell for whatever they can get for him.


if i were minny i would look to trade kandi to the knicks for thomas or JYD.

 

Good, then I'll keep calling them the T-Wolves!

 

I wish I could come on here and blast you guys but the Grizzlies are imploding with players complaining about playing time. We should be comfortably in the playoffs right now and now we have put blood in the water. The T Wolves are the sharks.

 

MemphisX...who are the principal malcontents?

 

The same two tricks...Jason Williams and Bonzi Wells. The two that ran off Hubie.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_3666930,00.html

Griz trying to stay on same page
Fratello: Fractious factions deadly during stretch run

By Ronald Tillery
Contact
April 1, 2005

Lost in the Grizzlies' latest debacle was a pregame conversation in which coach Mike Fratello acknowledged a stress reaction within the team's framework.

Stress reactions -- the diagnosis applied to Pau Gasol's left foot -- have the potential to become fractures.


And that is why Fratello issued a challenge.

"Everyone has to get on board with the same mentality and approach," Fratello said. "... You can't look elsewhere. You have to look at yourself and be the one that turns this around."

Although the Griz delivered a credible effort, their 102-99 loss to Seattle extended a losing streak to three games and applied more pressure on what apparently is a stress reaction to their dicey playoff plans.

After the game, Jason Williams made a derogatory reference to teammates, and Bonzi Wells complained about his playing time.

But on Thursday, Fratello appeared upbeat, optimistic and confident the Griz will remain together heading into their game tonight at Milwaukee.

"You're going to have feedback and interaction whenever you have competitive people and when you're in a stretch run like this," Fratello said. "Each game becomes so meaningful, and that's when you have to have an understanding that everybody is in this together. We're pulling on one end of the rope together. When a team understands that, it's a sign of maturity."

At the crux of the Grizzlies' troubles are weak rebounding, poor 3-point shooting and the slow process of re-introducing Gasol and Stromile Swift into the rotation.

Gasol and Swift delivered their best performances against Seattle since returning from injury.

Still, re-establishing chemistry remains a chore.

"We are a different team with Pau and Stro," swingman Shane Battier said. "We're a low-post team with a lot of pick-and-rolls. We've tried to get away from taking a lot of 3-point shots with them back in the lineup."

Center Lorenzen Wright is preaching patience.

"I know (Fratello) is trying to find the right groups and it's a tough job," Wright said. "I'm thinking like a coach now, so my heart goes out to him."

The body language between Williams and Gasol has been telling. The pair hasn't connected on the court since Gasol's March 20 return. An example of subtle discord happened during a timeout in the Seattle game.

Fratello inserted Earl Watson for Williams, and Williams openly wondered why Gasol wasn't replaced, too. Williams also had words with Fratello about play-calling. In the end, the minor conflict happened as a result of Williams's misinterpretation.

That Williams didn't play in the fourth quarter had nothing to do with the disagreement, according to Fratello, who preferred Watson for defensive purposes.

Fratello's message now is that the Griz aren't a house divided, and he aims to keep it that way.

"A one-time incident is minuscule compared to our other things we have to straighten out -- rebounding and things like that," Fratello said. "If it became an every-day occurrence then you have a problem. ... I'm concerned when we're not playing well. But I thought (Tuesday night against Seattle) was a positive step up. For 45 minutes we led in the game."

And for the next 12 games, it's united they stand if Fratello has his way.

"It's a 12-game season right now," Fratello said. "We have to win a 12-game season. It's very important that everybody goes into it understanding that. We tried to make it very clear when we started practice. I think they realize that every play could be the biggest play of the game."

Asked the other day about how he'll handle the team during this untimely and trying time, Fratello offered a matter-of-fact response.

"First, we'll stick together and hold off the fragment," Fratello said. "You go back to the baby steps of effort and playing hard."

-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

 

MemphisX, I heard you are a big Yao fan. Is it true?

 

Thx for the reply MemphisX...interesting read. It's gonna be interesting to see what you guys do in the offseason...more or less your loaded, perhaps overloaded...given J Williams' attitude, I would take Watson over him any day...and I would definitely deal Bozi (never liked him and probably never will). Plus you got Stro. Swift ready to take off too. It will be interesting.

 

Anyone noticed Memphis X's subtle signature change?

 

I mentioned this before and will again. Dont be surprised if the Grizzlies try to pry Steve Francis away from Orlando using J-will and a S&T Bonzi as the principals. Orlando has shown in the past they are willing to take 50 cents on the dollar and West is just the type of GM to try to exploit that.

Is Francis the best compliment to Gasol on that team? Probably not, but it is a talent upgrade and I bet West jumps on that, even if he has to move Francis again in another year to add better assets.
It would also be funny if Francis ends up in Memphis considering that's the same team he spurned when drafted.

 

Doubtful West would go after Francis...especially after his comments about hating Memphis the city. I think West went to sleep last summer, hopefully he wakes up soon.

 

I think Memphis will take the 8th seed and play Phoenix who btw they play well

T-Wolves won't be in the playoffs

 

If Memphis makes the playoffs, they will be smoked by PHX in the first round regardless of what happened earlier this year. This is a bad time of year for chemistry problems to creep in. I used to think Memphis would match up well with PHX but da ship be sinkin.

 

Minny is such a schizo team, they could also lose to Seattle, especially if the Sonics view the game a playoff practice run. They need to tune their game up some since Lewis, Daniels & Fortson just got back from injuries.
Also, being two losses behind the Suns, the Spurs could just as well pull back in either or both of their games with Memphis.

I give Minny only a slim chance. Two years ago the Rockets were in the same position with the Suns. The Suns were favored to lose all of their last 4 games and the Rockets were favored to win their last 4 but we know what happened.

 

It's official. Wolves are OUT. They just lost to Seattle.

Memphis clinches despite not having won in awhile. Not a surprise at all, once the Wolves lost to the Hawks, it was only a matter of time before the final nail in the coffin.

 

Yep, I just heard it on ABC. That's crazy!

 

Well, Chokewell and Ervin "not magic" Johnson are gonzo. E.T. and Olowokandi are both in the last year of their contracts next season, so I wouldn't be suprised to see them get moved. T-Wolves will be a completely different team next season, that's for sure...

Cassell would look really good in a Rockets jersey next season, but the Rockets really don't have anything that the Wolves would want

 

holy cow !

T-pups are done !

Who would have thought ?