The Memphis Grizzlies?!?!?

[GoldenEagle]

The Start

Who would take over the Memphis Grizzlies? Former executive and General Manager Jerry West, the NBA logo, decided to take a career in modeling. The Grizzlies were lost heading into the 2002 season. They turned to a young Memphian by the name of Timothy Brice. He was previously employed by the Memphis Riverkings, a minor league hockey franchise. Snickers came from around the league as it seemed the Grizzlies had made yet another seemingly embarrassing front office blunder. Only time would tell if this would hold true.

Author’s note: This will be a franchise detailing the Memphis Grizzlies, a NBA franchise. It will be simmed using Fast Break Basketball 2001. Updates will come frequently hopefully. It will use real players and real franchise beginning in the 2002 season. House real are simple. If it doesn’t happen in the NBA, it will not happen here.

Up Next: History of the Grizzlies’ franchise.

[GoldenEagle]

History of the Grizzlies

The Grizzlies began as a NBA franchise, north of the border, in Vancouver, Canada in 1995. They embarrassed themselves in the first years of the NBA. The first pick they made was on Bryant Reeves, who is no longer active and played very little for the team. Vancouver also lost Steve Francis when he refused to play for the team and forced a trade. The Grizz were not supported in Vancouver and were forced to look in other directions. Louisville and New Orleans were considered the leading possibilities for the move. However Memphis emerged with the business corporation of FedEx and put together a package that owner Michael Hensley could not turn down. The Grizzlies played their inaugural season in Memphis in 2001. The franchise has began to look up with the drafting of Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, and Drew Gooden. The franchise record for wins is 23. Our goal this year will be to beat that record.

Up Next: State of the franchsie

[GoldenEagle]

State of Franchise - before 2002 season

As fore-mentioned, the Grizzlies have just sucked. They have struggled throughout their franchise. The team has no championships or even made the playoffs for that matter. The team has a total of combined salaries of $45,393,319. That means we are around $3 million over the cap. We have a lot of over paid veterans which we will get too soon.

Up Next: Grizzlies’ players.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis Grizzlies 2002 Roster - Centers

Robert Archibald

Age: 23
College: Illinois
Height: 6`11 Weight: 250
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: D+
Handling: D+
Defense: C
Rebounding: C
Potential: B
Contract: $333,000 over 1 year.

Robert can put up points to some extent. However, he is average defending and rebounding skills, which must be better in the Western Conference. He may see some work but not very much. He does have a good up side and will be kept around for his potential.

Cezary Trybanski

Age: 23
College: None
Height: 7`1 Weight: 240
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: D+
Handling: C-
Defense: C
Rebounding: C+
Potential: B
Contract: $4.8 million over 3 years

Cerzary is another project kid who we like. He will be kept around for a couple of years to see how he develops, as we like his potential more than Robert’s. He is also taller and thinner and is a better rebounder than Robert.

Analysis: Cezary and Robert may have potential, but they are not ready to play against the likes of Shaq and Yao. We will have to start a power forward here and address the position when we have some cap room.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis Grizzlies 2002 Roster - Power Forwards

Pau Gasol

Age: 22
College: None
Height: 7`0 Weight: 227
Inside Scoring: A-
Outside Scoring: C-
Handling: C
Defense: A
Rebounding: B-
Potential: A
Contract: $10,928,681 over 3 years

Pau is exactly the type of player we like. Can take to the hole inside and can get out and hit a shot. He is an excellent defender and has a great upside. Easily the cornerstone of our franchise.

Stromile Swift

Age: 22
College: LSU
Height: 6`9 Weight: 229
Inside Scoring: B+
Outside Scoring: C-
Handling: D
Defense: A-
Rebounding: C+
Potential: A
Contract: $8,721,503 over two years.

Stromile is another player I like. He can defend and you have to have defenders in the Western Conference. He has a good upside. I wish he could hit an outside shot better and we might just have our starting 3. We could use Stromile as trade bait to see what we can get in return.

Drew Gooden

Age: 21
College: Kansas
Height: 6`10 Weight: 230
Contract: $13,079,371 over 4 years
Inside Scoring: B+
Outside Scoring: C
Handling: C-
Defense: B
Rebounding: B-
Potential: C

Drew was the first round pick for the franchise in the last draft and in my opinion, a wasted one. We didn’t a power forward and Drew only has an average upside. We will look to move him.

Lorenzen Wright

Age: 27
College: Memphis
Height: 6`11 Weight: 240
Contract: $27,500,000 over 4 years
Inside Scoring: B
Outside Scoring: D+
Handling: D
Defense: B
Rebounding: B+
Potential: C

Lorenzen is a home grown Memphis kid. He can score, defend, and rebound. He will get the start at center. However, he has a huge salary. We will move him if anyone will take the cap hit which is doubtful.

Tony Massenburg

Age: 35
College: Maryland
Height: 6`9 Weight: 250
Contract: $1,636,363 over a year
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C
Handling: D-
Defense: B
Rebounding: B-
Potential: C

Tony is a veteran who can come off the bench and hit an outside shot and play some defense and grab some boards. He is in the last year of his contract, so it will be a pivotal year for Tony.

Chris Owens

Age: 23
College: Texas
Height: 6`8 Weight: 245
Contract: $333,000 over a year
Inside Scoring: B-
Outside Scoring: D+
Handling: D-
Rebounding: C
Potential: B

Chris does not have a future with the Grizzlies. We will either cut him or let his contract run out.

Analysis: We have a lot of flexibility with the power forward position. Pau is the starter no doubt, but Lorenzen and Stromile could see time elsewhere.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis Grizzlies 2002 Roster - Small Forwards

Shane Battier

Age: 24
College: Duke
Height: 6`8
Weight: 220
Contract: $8,144,042 over 3 years
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Handling: C
Defense: A
Rebounding: C
Potential: B

Shane is a kid we like. He can defend and drive inside. We would like him to be able to hit an open shot from the outside with more consistency. He is a great defender and there is one thing the Memphis Grizzlies will do and that is defend.

Analysis: While Battier is the only small forward on the roster, he is certainly no slacker. Swift will back up and see time here.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis Grizzlies 2002 Roster - Shooting Guards

Wesley Person

Age: 31
College: Auburn
Height: 6`6 Weight: 220
Contract: $14,770,000 over two years
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: A-
Handling: C
Defense: B-
Rebounding: C-
Potential: C

We like our shooting guards to be able to well, shoot. Wesley can do exactly that. He is an older player but we will take his experience. He is only an average defender, however.

Michael Dickerson

Age: 27
College: Arizona
Height: 6`5 Weight: 190
Contract: $38,362,500 over six years
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B+
Handling: C
Defense: C
Rebounding: D+
Potential: B

I don’t understand why previous management gave Michael that big of a contract. We will probably get stuck with biting the bullet for the majority of it. $33 million is a lot to pay for a reserve guard.

Analysis: Person will start with Dickerson coming off the bench. We expect a big year from Person. LeBron James will be available in the next draft and we could take him.

[GoldenEagle]

Memphis Grizzlies 2002 Roster - Point Guards

Jason Williams

Age: 26
College: Florida
Height: 6`1 Weight: 190
Contract: $38,362,500 over 6 years
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: B
Handling: A
Defense: A
Rebounding: D+
Potential: C

Williams is my kind of point guard. He defends very well and has very few turnovers, and can even hit a shot when asked. He comes expensive but I am sure that all like him do.

Brevin Knight

Age: 26
College: Stanford
Height: 5`10 Weight: 170
Contract: $10,000,000 over two years
Inside Scoring: C+
Outside Scoring: C-
Handling: B+
Defense: A-
Rebounding: D+
Potential: B

Brevin can come off the bench and give quality minutes by playing good defense. He is not a good handler. His contract runs out in two years and we will groom him a replacement.

Eddie Gill

Age: 24
College: Weber St.
Height: 6`0 Weight: 190
Contract: $587,435 over one year
Inside Scoring: C
Outside Scoring: C
Handling: C
Defense: C+
Rebounding: D+
Potential: B

Eddie does not have a future with our team.

Analysis: Williams will be the show for years to come.

Up Next: 2002 FA period.

[cmp]

Looks like it could be a good dynasty. I'll be reading.

[primelord]

You realize the Grizzlies GM is Jeery West not Jim West don't you? Jim West is from Wild Wild West.

[GoldenEagle]

Free Agent Period - 2002

Primelord - It has been edited. Thanks for pointing it out.

There is a couple of intriguing free agents out there who would help out our team. 6`11 center William Cunningham is a good defender and can rebuild. We don’t have much money but we might get him for the minimum. We will keep an eye on it.

Key Free Agents - 2002:

Lonny Baxter
Patrick Ewing
Grant Long
Charles Oakley
Loren Woods
Mitch Richmond
Trajan Langdon

Overall a weak class. Not much depth and no big stars. It does have a lot of veterans past their prime.

Key Signings - 2002

Terry Porter - Raptors $4.5mil/1 yr
Patrick Ewing - Warriors $1 mil/1 yr
Loren Woods - Spurs $465K/1 yr
Mitch Richmond - Knicks $1 mil/1 yr

Up Next: The 2002 Season.

[GoldenEagle]

2002 Season - 1st Month

We were going to do a scouting report of every team in the league, but figured it would be useless. Imagine the current NBA situation. Lakers and Kings are the two strongest teams. Anyways, here we go,

After 1st Month
This Month’s Record: 4-6
Current Record: 4-6
Current Standing: 6 GB leader
Team Stats
PPG: 89.0 (23rd)
RPG: 46.8 (24th)
APG: 24.8 (2nd)
SPG: 6.7 (29th)
BPG: 4.0 (28th)
TOPG: 14.9 (29th)
Individual Leaders
PPG: Pau Gasol (19.4)
RPG: Lorenzen Wright (10.0)
APG: Williams (9.2)
FG %: Dickerson (.511)

We have done decent for ourselves so far. Our offensive production could be more, but we are slowing the game down in an attempt to win with defense. Our turnovers must improve. We beat the 76ers but lost to the Bulls. We look terribly inconsistent.

Around the NBA

The Mavs are hot, with a 12-2 record. No clear team has emerged yet in the East. The Cavs are 9-4 and the Bulls are 7-4. The Kings are 11-3 and the Suns are 11-4. The Lakers have struggled with a 7-7 record.

[GoldenEagle]

2002 Season - 2nd Month

The second month starts with high hopes. We have a 4-6 record. We changed our offense focus to inside to try to generate more points. We leave everthing else the way it is. We also began to shop around Drew Gooden.

After 2nd Month
This Month’s Record: 7-6
Current Record: 11-12
Current Standing: 5.5 GB leader
Team Stats
PPG: 87.5 (26th)
RPG: 47.0 (22nd)
APG: 23.0 (7th)
SPG: 7.6 (29th)
BPG: 4.5 (26th)
TOPG: 14.0 (15th)
aPPG: 92.0 (13th)
Individual Leaders
PPG: Pau Gasol (19.9)
RPG: Pau Gasol (10.1)
APG: Williams (9.1)
FG %: Wright (.481)

A winning month. What else could you ask for if you were a Grizz fan? Stifling D and finding a way to win are helping us win ball games. We beat the Kings, Raptors and Mavs.

Around the NBA

Timberwolves have taken over first place in my division with 21-11 record. The East just plain sucks. Both division leaders are near .500. The Kings are 22-6 and look like the early pick for the championship.

[GoldenEagle]

2002 Season - 3rd Month

We head with a near .500 record. Grizz faithful are getting excited. We can’t find a suitor for Gooden as no one has cap room. Maybe this off season. Oh well, we are in the playoff hunt!

After 3rd Month
This Month’s Record: 7-8
Current Record: 18-20
Current Standing: 6 GB leader
Team Stats
PPG: 89.2 (23rd)
RPG: 46.6(24th)
APG: 23.5 (5th)
SPG: 7.8 (29th)
BPG: 4.7 (25th)
TOPG: 14.3 (24th)
aPPG: 92.7 (17th)
Individual Leaders
PPG: Pau Gasol (20.5)
RPG: Wright (9.9)
APG: Williams (9.0)
FG %: Person (.495)

We continue to hover around the .500 mark and still in the thick of the playoff hunt. Memphis is excited, I am excited, let’s get to the next month.

[GoldenEagle]

2002 Season - 4th Month

After 4th Month
This Month’s Record: 7-6
Current Record: 25-26
Current Standing: 5.5 GB leader
Team Stats
PPG: 88.9 (23rd)
RPG: 46.9(23rd)
APG: 23.5 (5th)
SPG: 7.7 (29th)
BPG: 4.8 (23rd)
TOPG: 14.5 (24th)
aPPG: 91.7 (12th)
Individual Leaders
PPG: Pau Gasol (20.4)
RPG: Wright (10.3)
APG: Williams (8.8)
FG %: Person (.497)

Well, 25-26 and 3 games out of a playoff spot. Still a lot of basketball left to be played though. However, I do want to note we have set the new franchise record with wins with 25. Pau has been a monster and our workhorse. Wright is putting in a lot of quality minutes. Things are looking bright.

[GoldenEagle]

2002 Season - 5th Month

After 5th Month
This Month’s Record: 2-11
Current Record: 27-39
Current Standing: 15 GB leader
Team Stats
PPG: 87.3 (26th)
RPG: 46.2(28th)
APG: 23.3 (6th)
SPG: 7.7 (28th)
BPG: 5.5 (19th)
TOPG: 14.0 (23rd)
aPPG: 91.1 (10th)
Individual Leaders
PPG: Pau Gasol (20.3)
RPG: Wright (10.1)
APG: Williams (8.7)
FG %: Person (.481)

Well we knew it had to happen soon. The Grizz would falter and they did. We can blame it on offensive production, lack of rebounding, etc. We are out of the playoffs and look more toward the lottery. The good thing is this allows to tinker things. We have our eye on Garrett Johnson in the upcoming draft. We will just have to see where we land though. I don’t think he is a first rounder but we see potential. We may trade down.

[GoldenEagle]

2002 Season - 6th Month

After 6th Month
This Month’s Record: 6-10
Current Record: 33-49
Current Standing: 19 GB leader
Team Stats
PPG: 88.7 (25th)
RPG: 46.7(26th)
APG: 22.6 (9th)
SPG: 8.0 (27th)
BPG: 5.5 (9th)
TOPG: 14.0 (23rd)
aPPG: 92.2 (14th)
Individual Leaders
PPG: Pau Gasol (19.9)
RPG: Wright (10.5)
APG: Williams (8.8)
FG %: Person (.488)

Not a bad month. We tried out a new offensive scheme it and worked. Expect to see more of it next season. Robert Archibald showed promise late and if he works hard he could become the starting center. This concludes our season.

Up Next: 2002 Season Recap and playoffs

[GoldenEagle]

Guys, I just moved home from school and I will hook up my school computer soon. The dynasty will continue shortly!