Randolph: Grizzlies better without Gay

Addition By Subtraction, Bro?

still can't beat OKC, LAC,Den...

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:16 AM ET  03.21 by heat champ/raptors redeemed

still can't beat OKC, LAC,Den...

I wouldn't be so sure that they couldn't beat any of those three teams...

They are a better team. The trade of Rudy enabled them to finally establish an identity through their talented bigs and it also has led to Mike Conley playing much better, as well. I could see the Grizz winning the west. Much more so than Denver or LAC.

Memphis should get passed the first round easily if they get the 3rd seed facing either the Rockets or the Warriors. Their only threat would be if the Lakers somehow get the 6th seed, which is unlikely

QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:38 AM ET  03.21 by Klockwork33

I wouldn't be so sure that they couldn't beat any of those three teams...They are a better team. The trade of Rudy enabled them to finally establish an identity through their talented bigs and it also has led to Mike Conley playing much better, as well. I could see the Grizz winning the west. Much more so than Denver or LAC.

I agree, Memphis is a better "team" now. They move the ball better, more shots in the post, better fg %

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:16 AM ET  03.21 by heat champ/raptors redeemed

still can't beat OKC, LAC,Den...

What about San Antonio? What do you think the Spurs will do this year?

Look, when John Hollinger took the position with the Grizzlies he knew Gay was holding them back. He had written some articles on Gay, and how his play was not what the Grizz needed with Z-Bo and Gasol on the team. He got rid of him, and looks like it is paying off nicely for the organization. Whoever gets the 3 seed, Den or Mem, will be an awesome second round series versus whoever gets the 2 seed.

I'll take the opposite side.......
They have played really well, but come playoffs, not having a guaranteed 16-18 pts a night will come back to bite them. Also Rudy can go off for 30, no one on that team can even come close to that.....and if zbo or mark get into some foul trouble (which bigs do) who else is scoring points?
And Prince is not the same defender HD was 5 years ago......let's be fair

This is exactly why I was glad to see Zach gone from NY. He's an idiot.

Hollinger knew what he was doing. Advanced stats works sometimes. Gay was not a good perimeter scorer by %. He needs a too many shots to get his numbers and takes too many three's. He is an elite athlete but his jumper is not great and he doesn't get to the line enough to balance out he bad shooting. I don't think Gay was taking them to a finals either way so why give Gay a max salary when he is not the reason they are a contender.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:54 AM ET  03.21 by G-B

They just beat OKC last night. They have a chance against every team because they are balance and they hang their hat on defense. Defense always gives you a chance to win.

Not always.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:54 AM ET  03.21 by G-B

They just beat OKC last night. They have a chance against every team because they are balance and they hang their hat on defense. Defense always gives you a chance to win.

True. Plus they play more as a team on offense w/o Gay.

They may miss Gay in the playoffs when points are hard to come by though.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:19 AM ET  03.21 by jgb

I'll take the opposite side.......They have played really well, but come playoffs, not having a guaranteed 16-18 pts a night will come back to bite them. Also Rudy can go off for 30, no one on that team can even come close to that.....and if zbo or mark get into some foul trouble (which bigs do) who else is scoring points? And Prince is not the same defender HD was 5 years ago......let's be fair

Memphis is not built to beat a team with offense only. Their defense will keep them in the game. They could use a 3pt shooter off the bench and they would be set

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:42 AM ET  03.21 by Docmadinejad

This is exactly why I was glad to see Zach gone from NY. He's an idiot.

I think all this anger is actually because you never liked that he looked like a Chocolate Stay Puft man when he was in NYC...

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:19 AM ET  03.21 by jgb

I'll take the opposite side.......They have played really well, but come playoffs, not having a guaranteed 16-18 pts a night will come back to bite them. Also Rudy can go off for 30, no one on that team can even come close to that.....and if zbo or mark get into some foul trouble (which bigs do) who else is scoring points? And Prince is not the same defender HD was 5 years ago......let's be fair

I'm going to agree with you, ya old so and so.

29-15 with gay this season. 17-5 with prince, davis, and daye. Gaye's average ppg in memphis this season 17.2. Prince, Davis and Day with 18.8 ppg with Memphis. Gaye averaged 2.6 assists and 2.5 turnovers per game w/ memphis and Prince is averaging 2.5 assists and 1.05 turnovers per game with Memphis. 0.77 winning percentage after trade 0.66 winning percentage before trade. Considering the improved future flexibility Memphis did good with this deal. Obviously Gaye currently has the most talent out of all the individuals involved, but basketball is a team game. The Grizzlies team is better moving forward, not because Gaye was trash, but because he was not worth his superstar contract.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 12:52 PM ET  03.21 by Crooked Stiches

I'm going to agree with you, ya old so and so.

Stiches, noooooooo. Just for that, the Raptors are fading faster than Jennifer Simpson's singing career!
Just remember you deserved this for agreeing with jgb.

Since trade had a streak when they won 14 of 15 (with the loss to miami) and have beat OKC and LAC. They are still just as competitive, have more flexibility to improve in the future, but are still sitting in the middle of a stacked west in which a number of teams could knock out each other. If they are in the east, then everyone is talking about them being the only team that has a chance against the Heat, with Pacers, Knicks, and Bulls w/ a hope of Rose looking up at them.