Memphis Grizzlies (NBA 2K9)

[skitch]

Grizz Make Easy Work of Warriors..Again
Memphis has Golden State's number early on
Memphis 100, Golden State 83


Rudy Gay hits a buzzer beater at the end of the half

Oakland, CA -- Just a few days ago, the Grizzlies handled the Warriors pretty easily in Memphis. This time around, only the venue changed, as the Grizz handed Golden State yet another big loss. Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo were electric, as it seemed like neither could miss in the first half. Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette kept the came somewhat close, but it was obvious from the start who had the momentum.

The second half only saw Mayo's shooting slide a little bit, but Gay picked up the slack. The UCONN alum finished with 29 points, and aided Mayo in picking up 14 assists on the afternoon. Teams usually don't lose when shooting 52% from the floor, and the Grizzlies were no exception, beating Golden State 100-83.

Player of the Game
Rudy Gay (MEM) - 29 Points, 12-19 FG, 5-9 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists



52% FG
11-25 3PT (44%)
7-9 FT
34 Assists
12 Turnovers
39 Rebounds
46 PitP
35 Bench Points

O.J. Mayo - 15 Points, 5-14 FG, 3-6 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 14 Assists, 4 Steals
Marc Gasol - 12 Points, 5-7 FG, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Blocks
Marko Jaric - 10 Points, 4-9 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals
Hakim Warrick - 9 Points, 4-9 FG, 6 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Darko Milicic - 8 Points, 4-6 FG, 7 Rebounds
Antoine Walker - 8 Points, 3-5 FG, 2-4 3PT
Mike Conley - 4 Points, 2-5 FG, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists



41% FG
5-19 3PT (26%)
12-14 FT
27 Assists
12 Turnovers
36 Rebounds
44 PitP
2 Bench Points

Stephen Jackson - 30 Points, 12-30 FG, 3-12 3PT, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Corey Maggette - 24 Points, 8-13 FG, 2-5 3PT, 3 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Andris Biedrins - 12 Points, 6-12 FG, 16 Rebounds
Monta Ellis - 11 Points, 4-14 FG, 3 Rebounds, 16 Assists, 4 Steals
Al Harrington - 4 Points, 2-7 FG, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals

Record: 3-3

[skitch]

Players of the Week & Trades
Trades have been abundant early on

Eastern Conference Player of the Week


LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers

Western Conference Player of the Week


O.J. Mayo, G, Memphis Grizzlies

---

Toronto Raptors receive:


Antonio Daniels, G (4.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 7.5 APG this season)

Washington Wizards receive:


Jason Kapono, GF (10.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG this season)

---

Sacramento Kings receive:


Stromile Swift, FC (1.7 PPG, 2.3 RPG this season)

New Jersey Nets receive:


Bobby Jackson, G (2.5 PPG, APG this season)

---

New York Knicks receive:


Andrei Kirilenko, F (12 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.3 APG, 2.3 BPG this season)


Matt Harpring, GF (6.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, SPG this season)

Utah Jazz receive:


Stephon Marbury, G (15 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3 APG, 1.3 SPG this season)

*CPU trades have been turned off for awhile

[skitch]

Denver Denies Grizzlies in Nailbiter
Instant classic played between Nuggets & Grizzlies
Memphis 95, Denver 96


Hakim Warrick looks on in his disbelief as Memphis falls

Denver, CO -- Early on, the Nuggets absolutely could not miss, and the Grizzlies were unable to buy a bucket. J.R. Smith was the primary offensive threat for Denver in the first half, hitting four three-pointers early on in the contest. Carmelo Anthony chipped in as well, contributing thirteen points in the first two quarters.

Hakim Warrick played great from the opening tip for Memphis, but his help was very few and far between. The starting power forward for the Grizz put up eight points in the first half, leading his team. In addition, the lanky big man grabbed five rebounds.

Throughout the first two quarters, the Nuggets held momentum, but found the lead dwindling here and there when Memphis decided to go on a run. However, at the intermission, the home team held a seven point lead.

This second half was much of the same, but Rudy Gay came alive as another scoring threat for Memphis. The Grizzlies were able to actually take a five-point lead at a few times in the second half, but Anthony would not let the margin get out of hand. The superstar swingman hit big shots one after another to keep his team in the game.

Late in the fourth, the two teams swapped baskets at an alarming rate. The atmosphere was very tense, but the visiting Grizzlies were able to build a three-point lead. Anthony hit a jumper with 11 seconds left in the game to cut the deficit to one, then the Nuggets immediately fouled Warrick after the inbound pass. Warrick was unable to hit either free throw, and Denver quickly called a timeout. With five seconds left on the game clock, Anthony was able to strike again with a great jumper. The Grizzlies called their final timeout and drew up their final play. With barely any time left on the clock, Memphis fed the ball to the reigning Player of the Week, O.J. Mayo. Mayo stutter stepped, then pulled up for a quick jumper behind the free-throw line... CLANK! The Nuggets were able to hold on behind Anthony's strong performance, earning the 96-95 victory.

Player of the Game
Carmelo Anthony (DEN) - 29 Points, 13-25 FG, 1-5 3PT, 6 Rebounds, 7 Assists



50% FG
6-14 3PT (42%)
5-8 FT
27 Assists
11 Turnovers
35 Rebounds
64 PitP
23 Bench Points

Hakim Warrick - 26 Points, 13-18 FG, 9 Rebounds, 2 Steals
Rudy Gay - 25 Points, 10-19 FG, 5-8 3PT, 2 Assists
Marc Gasol - 11 Points, 5-7 FG, 2 Rebounds, 3 Blocks
Darko Milicic - 11 Points, 5-12 FG, 7 Rebounds
Marko Jaric - 8 Points, 3-5 FG, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists
O.J. Mayo - 7 Points, 3-16 FG, 1-3 3PT, 6 Rebounds, 10 Assists
Mike Conley - 3 Points, 1-3 FG, 4 Rebounds, 8 Assists



49% FG
6-19 3PT (31%)
8-9 FT
32 Assists
8 Turnovers
38 Rebounds
48 PitP
19 Bench Points

J.R. Smith - 28 Points, 11-19 FG, 4-9 3PT, 4 Rebounds, 4 Assists
Linas Kleiza - 9 Points, 4-6 FG, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Nene - 8 Points, 3-9 FG, 11 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks
Kenyon Martin - 6 Points, 2-8 FG, 4 Rebounds
Allen Iverson - 6 Points, 3-9 FG, 3 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 5 Steals

Record: 3-4

[R1zzo23]

This player lock feature is very intriguing and could get me to pick up a copy of the game. Quick question: how are you averaging so many assists? In my experience with 2k's basketball games, assists were usually pretty tough to come by. I see you have OJ Mayo averaging close to double-digit assists.

[DJ Penguin]

Good looks so far. I hope you don't mind if I sort of stole your layout for the stats for each game. It looked good and I was going to do something similar, well practically the same as what you did too but you beat me too it.

[skitch]

rizzo -- In 2K9, I find the assist system to be very flawed. For example, I'll get the ball passed to me, have nothing there, so dish the ball away. The next guy, say Rudy Gay, will make a couple of moves, break down his defender, then put up a shot. Somehow, after HE does all of the work, I get credit for the assist. I'm thinking about only passing to Conley from now on (who NEVER shoots) to cut back on the assists lol.

Penguin -- Dude, that's fine, lol. Whatever looks good to you, man.

[skitch]

Grizzlies Surprise Suns on the Road
O.J. Mayo leads Memphis to big win in Phoenix
Memphis 91, Phoenix 89


Grizzlies' PG Mike Conley is still trying to figure
things out as the table-setter in Memphis

Phoenix, AZ -- When O.J. Mayo plays well, the Memphis Grizzlies, more often than not, play well. When Rudy Gay compliments Mayo's efforts, the Grizzlies are a dangerous team. Against the Suns in the desert, the Grizzlies were a dangerous team.

Mayo scored nineteen and dished out fifteen assists in a game where he suffered a twisted ankle. The injury was not enough to keep the rookie out of action, and the fantastic first-year player will continue to play in games for the Grizz. Gay and Hakim Warrick, who produced for the second straight contest, both chipped in with seventeen points of their own.

Phoenix just looked lost on the court, only able to put up 89 total points. Amare Stoudemire was rendered ineffective by the group defense of Memphis, and only managed to take seven shots in the game despite pulling down a game-high seventeen rebounds. Leandro Barbosa led all scorers with thirty, but the Suns fell just short to the Grizzlies, 91-89.

Player of the Game
O.J. Mayo (MEM) - 19 Points, 7-19 FG, 2-4 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 15 Assists



46% FG
8-22 3PT (36%)
5-6 FT
30 Assists
13 Turnovers
47 Rebounds
46 PitP
29 Bench Points

Rudy Gay - 17 Points, 7-18 FG, 3-8 3PT, 4 Rebounds
Hakim Warrick - 17 Points, 8-11 FG, 7 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Steals
Marc Gasol - 14 Points, 7-10 FG, 4 Rebounds
Marko Jaric - 8 Points, 3-6 FG, 3 Rebounds, 4 Assists
Darko Milicic - 6 Points, 3-8 FG, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Mike Conley - 3 Points, 1-4 FG, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists



38% FG
10-31 3PT (32%)
9-9 FT
27 Assists
12 Turnovers
43 Rebounds
44 PitP
15 Bench Points

Leandro Barbosa - 30 Points, 13-26 FG, 4-10 3PT, 6 Rebounds
Steve Nash - 27 Points, 9-28 FG, 5-15 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 13 Assists
Raja Bell - 11 Points, 4-9 FG, 2 Rebounds
Shaquille O'Neal - 8 Points, 4-9 FG, 7 Rebounds, 4 Steals
Grant Hill - 5 Points, 1-3 FG, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Amare Stoudemire - 4 Points, 2-7 FG, 17 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 5 Steals

Record: 4-4

[skitch]

Sorry about the delay.

I should have a few updates in tomorrow... it's been a long weekend.