Memphis Grizzlies (NBA 2K9)

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Memphis Grizzlies, NBA 2K9
HeelFan's Sliders, Updated Rosters
All-Star Difficulty, 10 Minute Quarters
*Player Lock on O.J. Mayo

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Grizzlies Prepare for 2008-'09 Campaign
City of Memphis gloomy after back-to-back 22-60 seasons


Rudy Gay & Co. look to improve on dismal '07-'08 mark

Memphis, TN -- Things looked to be on the upside for the Grizzlies' franchise when the team went to the playoffs for three straight years. Despite first round exits in each of the three seasons, the city and team remained optimistic. However, in the past couple of seasons, the Grizz have managed to win only 44 of 164 contests; this ratio giving Memphis a .268 winning percentage.

In 2008-'09, though, the Grizzlies have regained their positive outlook. With the fifth overall pick in the draft, Memphis selected Kevin Love, the ever-so-smooth big man out of UCLA. The Grizzlies turned around and made a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, bringing over the third pick, the sensational combo-guard out of USC, O.J. Mayo. The sky is the limit for the young Mayo, and his young and talented teammates will do nothing but improve themselves. Surrounding the newcomer are second-year point guard Mike Conley and the third-year swingman Rudy Gay.

Coach Marc Iavaroni and his staff are excited to guide this exceptional group of youngsters into battle in the coming campaign:

Starting Lineup:


Mike Conley, #11, PG
6'1", 180 lbs., 21 Years Old, Second Year Pro
Stats: 9.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 4.2 APG ('07-'08 w/ MEM)


O.J. Mayo, #32, SG
6'4", 210 lbs., 20 Years Old, Rookie
Stats: 20.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.3 APG ('07-'08 w/ Southern Cal)


Rudy Gay, #22, SF
6'8", 222 lbs., 22 Years Old, Third Year Pro
Stats: 20.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.0 APG ('07-'08 w/ MEM)


Hakim Warrick, #21, PF
6'9", 215 lbs., 26 Years Old, Fourth Year Pro
Stats: 11.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, .7 APG ('07-'08 w/ MEM)


Darko Milicic, #31, C
7', 275 lbs., 23 Years Old, Sixth Year Pro
Stats: 7.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.6 BPG ('07-'08 w/ MEM)

Bench:

Kyle Lowry, #1, G
9.7 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.6 APG ('07-'08 w/ MEM)

Marko Jaric, #55, G
8.3 PPG, 3 RPG, 4.2 APG ('07-'08 w/ MIN)

Marc Gasol, #33, F/C
Rookie

Darrell Arthur, #00, F
Rookie

Antoine Walker, #8, F
8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1 APG ('07-'08 w/ MIN)

Javaris Crittenton, #3, G
5.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1 APG ('07-'08 w/ LAL & MEM)

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2008-'09 Schedule
The Grizz open the season in Houston


Mike Conley looks to lead Memphis in '08-'09

October
Oct.29 - @ Houston
Oct.31 - Orlando


November
Nov.1 - @ Chicago
Nov.3 - Golden State
Nov.5 - @ Sacramento
Nov.7 - @ Golden State
Nov.9 - @ Denver
Nov.10 - @ Phoenix
Nov.12 - New York
Nov.14 - Milwaukee
Nov.18 - Sacramento
Nov.21 - @ Dallas
Nov.22 - Utah
Nov.24 - San Antonio
Nov.26 - @ Utah
Nov.28 - @ San Antonio
Nov.29 - Oklahoma City

December
Dec.3 - @ Atlanta
Dec.5 - L.A. Clippers
Dec.6 - @ New Orleans
Dec.8 - Houston
Dec.10 - @ Oklahoma City
Dec.12 - Chicago
Dec.14 - Miami
Dec.16 - New Orleans
Dec.19 - Charlotte
Dec.22 - L.A. Lakers
Dec.23 - @ Dallas
Dec.26 - Indiana
Dec.27 - @ San Antonio
Dec.29 - @ Minnesota
Dec.30 - Phoenix

January
Jan.2 - San Antonio
Jan.4 - Dallas
Jan.6 - Minnesota
Jan.7 - @ New Jersey
Jan.9 - @ Toronto
Jan.13 - Cleveland
Jan.16 - Utah
Jan.19 - Detroit
Jan.21 - @ Charlotte
Jan.23 - @ New York
Jan.24 - New Jersey
Jan.27 - Denver
Jan.28 - @ Oklahoma City
Jan.31 - L.A. Lakers

February
Feb.2 - @ Washington
Feb.4 - Houston
Feb.6 - L.A. Clippers
Feb.7 - Toronto
Feb.9 - New Orleans
Feb.11 - @ Philadelphia
Feb.17 - @ Utah
Feb.18 - @ Portland
Feb.20 - Sacramento
Feb.24 - @ Cleveland
Feb.25 - @ Indiana
Feb.28 - Oklahoma City

March
Mar.3 - @ L.A. Lakers
Mar.4 - @ L.A. Clippers
Mar.7 - Philadelphia
Mar.8 - @ Houston
Mar.11 - @ Minnesota
Mar.13 - @ Boston
Mar.15 - @ Detroit
Mar.16 - Portland
Mar.18 - Denver
Mar.20 - @ New Orleans
Mar.21 - Boston
Mar.23 - @ Miami
Mar.27 - @ Sacramento
Mar.28 - @ Portland
Mar.30 - @ Golden State

April
Apr.1 - Washington
Apr.3 - Dallas
Apr.4 - @ Milwaukee
Apr.7 - Portland
Apr.8 - @ Orlando
Apr.10 - Phoenix
Apr.12 - @ L.A. Lakers
Apr.13 - @ Phoenix
Apr.15 - Atlanta

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Grizzlies Roll in Season Opener
O.J. Mayo impressive in NBA debut
Memphis 90, Houston 79


O.J. Mayo scored 22 points in his first NBA contest

Houston, TX -- Although the entirety of the Memphis franchise expected a turnaround this season, nobody saw it coming right out of the gate. The Grizzlies were able to pour it on the Houston Rockets early and often en route to a 90-79 victory.

The first quarter saw Memphis rookie O.J. Mayo connect on two three-pointers to open the contest. With the momentum already in their favor, the Grizzlies continued to handle the favored Rockets with ease. Backup big man Marc Gasol contributed in a positive way, adding six points in the opening quarter.

Throughout the first half, Mayo and the Grizzlies held a convincing seven to ten point lead. Towards the end of the second quarter, though, the Rockets trimmed the margin considerably behind the efforts of Ron Artest. A newcomer this season to Houston, Artest was able to drop 18 first-half points on Memphis.

The second half went particularly well for the Grizz, as Mayo continued to light up the scoreboard and Rudy Gay chipped in with several clutch buckets of his own. With Yao Ming on the bench for a huge amount of time throughout the contest, the Grizzlies were able to "lock down" Tracy McGrady and Artest enough to come out with a surprising eleven point victory.

Player of the Game
O.J. Mayo (MEM) -- 22 Points, 9-14 FG, 4-8 3PT, 6 Rebounds, 10 Assists



53% FG
8-23 3PT (39%)
27 Assists
12 Turnovers
37 Rebounds
46 PitP
23 Bench Points

Rudy Gay - 20 Points, 8-18 FG, 4-9 3PT, 7 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Hakim Warrick - 15 Points, 7-8 FG, 5 Rebounds, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks
Marc Gasol - 14 Points, 6-10 FG, 10 Rebounds
Antoine Walker - 7 Points, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2 Rebounds
Darko Milicic - 6 Points, 3-8 FG, 3 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Mike Conley - 4 Points, 2-7 FG, 6 Assists
Darrell Arthur - 2 Points, 1-2 FG, 2 Rebounds



46% FG
5-20 3PT (25%)
25 Assists
8 Turnovers
32 Rebounds
42 PitP
11 Bench Points

Ron Artest - 26 Points, 12-17 FG, 2 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Tracy McGrady - 20 Points, 9-26 FG, 2-10 3PT, 3 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals
Yao Ming - 10 Points, 5-9 FG, 10 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Blocks
Rafer Alston - 10 Points, 4-10 FG, 2-6 3PT, 9 Assists
Luther Head - 7 Points, 3-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2 Rebounds, 3 Assists
Shane Battier - 2 Points, 1-3 FG, 2 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Steals
Joey Dorsey - 2 Points, 1-2 FG, 5 Rebounds
Luis Scola - 2 Points, 1-4 FG, 8 Rebounds

Record: 1-0

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Grizzlies Choke in Fourth Against Magic
Orlando came from behind to claim the win
Memphis 81, Orlando 89


O.J. Mayo beats the halftime buzzer with this layup

Memphis, TN -- For the second straight game, the Grizzlies came out of the gates hot against the Orlando Magic. O.J. Mayo continued his stellar play, hitting a three-pointer to start the scoring in the contest. Rudy Gay also played well in the first half, scoring in every way imaginable and coming up with huge buckets when Memphis needed a momentum boost.

Rashard Lewis was the player that kept Orlando afloat, dropping 17 of his 28 points in the first half. The forward kept Memphis passers honest as well, picking off five errant dishes. After Mayo's half-ending layup, the Grizzlies found themselves with a comfortable six point lead.

The third quarter continued to go in the Grizzlies' favor, as the Magic continued to struggle from behind the arc. Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, and Keith Bogans all went a combined 2-12 from three for the game.

Then, late in the fourth quarter, all hell broke loose. The Grizzlies missed shot after shot, and allowed the Magic to score easy bucket after easy bucket. The Memphis crowd took their seats for the first time in the game, and the team from Orlando went on a brutal 18-2 run that gave them an eventual eight point lead. When all was said and done, Lewis and the Magic escaped with a hard-earned win over the hometown Grizzlies.

Player of the Game
Rashard Lewis (ORL) -- 28 Points, 11-21 FG, 1-4 3PT, 12 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 5 Steals, 2 Blocks



46% FG
4-18 3PT (22%)
23 Assists
11 Turnovers
40 Rebounds
50 PitP
19 Bench Points

Rudy Gay - 17 Points, 6-16 FG, 1-6 3PT, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists
O.J. Mayo - 15 Points, 6-10 FG, 3-4 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 3 Steals
Hakim Warrick - 14 Points, 6-9 FG, 12 Rebounds, 2 Blocks
Mike Conley - 12 Points, 6-7 FG, 7 Assists
Marc Gasol - 8 Points, 4-6 FG, 7 Rebounds
Darko Milicic - 4 Points, 2-8 FG, 7 Rebounds
Antoine Walker - 4 Points, 2-5 FG, 0-3 3PT
Darrell Arthur - 4 Points, 2-4 FG, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists



42% FG
5-22 3PT (22%)
28 Assists
7 Turnovers
40 Rebounds
52 PitP
16 Bench Points

Dwight Howard - 17 Points, 8-13 FG, 15 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Blocks
Mickael Pietrus - 14 Points, 6-12 FG, 2-5 3PT
Hedo Turkoglu - 10 Points, 5-11 FG, 0-2 3PT, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Jameer Nelson - 10 Points, 3-13 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4 Rebounds, 13 Assists
Keith Bogans - 8 Points, 4-17 FG, 0-5 3PT, 2 Assists

Record: 1-1

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Memphis Swallows Huge Loss in Chi-Town
The Bulls show no mercy against Grizz
Memphis 75, Chicago 102


#1 Overall pick Derrick Rose (left) & Chicago
got the best of #3 pick O.J. Mayo & the Grizzlies

Chicago, IL -- To put it lightly, the Memphis Grizzlies played like a WNBA team against the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls seriously ran the Grizz out of the building from the get-go, and Memphis never once showed signs of a comeback.

Derrick Rose anchored the fast-paced offense, and never let the defense get set before the Bulls put more points on the board. The Grizzlies were very ill-prepared for such a matchup, and were never able to adjust as they fell to the Bulls 75-102.

Player of the Game
Derrick Rose (CHI) - 7 Points, 3-8 FG, 1-1 3PT, 6 Rebounds, 12 Assists



41% FG
1-12 3PT (8%)
23 Assists
10 Turnovers
21 Rebounds
46 PitP
21 Bench Points

Rudy Gay - 25 Points, 10-18 FG, 0-4 3PT, 2 Rebounds, 4 Assists
O.J. Mayo - 15 Points, 6-19 FG, 1-2 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 9 Assists, 3 Steals
Marc Gasol - 10 points, 5-11 FG, 3 Rebounds
Darrell Arthur - 7 points, 3-3 FG
Mike Conley - 6 Points, 3-7 FG, 3 Assists, 2 Steals
Hakim Warrick - 6 Points, 3-5 FG



48% FG
1-12 3PT (8%)
34 Assists
6 Turnovers
50 Rebounds
58 PitP
41 Bench Points

Ben Gordon - 16 Points, 7-14 FG, 0-3 3PT, 3 Assists, 2 Steals
Kirk Hinrich - 14 Points, 7-20 FG, 0-5 3PT, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists
Joakim Noah - 14 Points, 7-12 FG, 10 Rebounds
Luol Deng - 14 Points, 4-6 FG, 3 Rebounds, 5 Assists
Andres Nocioni - 13 Points, 6-11 FG, 5 Rebounds, 2 Assists
Drew Gooden - 12 Points, 4-7 FG, 8 Rebounds, 4 Assists

Record: 1-2

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First Power Rankings Released
Premature power rankings put Memphis near bottom


Kevin Garnett & the defending champions Boston
are #1 in the first power rankings of 2008-'09

1. Boston Celtics (3-0)
2. San Antonio Spurs (2-0)
3. Utah Jazz (2-0)
4. Philadelphia 76ers (3-0)
5. Phoenix Suns (2-1)
6. Orlando Magic (2-1)
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (2-1)
8. Chicago Bulls (2-1)
9. Milwaukee Bucks (2-1)
10. Sacramento Kings (2-1)
11. Detroit Pistons (1-1)
12. Dallas Mavericks (1-1)
13. Charlotte Bobcats (1-1)
14. Indiana Pacers (1-1)
15. Atlanta Hawks (1-1)
16. L.A. Lakers (1-2)
17. New York Knicks (1-1)
18. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1)
19. New Jersey Nets (1-1)
20. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-1)
21. New Orleans Hornets (1-2)
22. Denver Nuggets (1-2)
23. Portland Trailblazers (1-2)
24. Golden State Warriors (1-2)
25. L.A. Clippers (1-2)
26. Toronto Raptors (1-2)
27. Memphis Grizzlies (1-2)
28. Houston Rockets (0-3)
29. Washington Wizards (0-3)
30. Miami (0-3)

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Grizzlies Triumph Over Warriors
O.J. recorded his first career triple-double in W
Memphis 100, Golden State 81


Coach Marc Iavaroni had the Grizzlies prepared for battle

Memphis, TN -- From the opening tip, the vibe in the FedEx Forum was that of redemption. After losing so terribly to Chicago only two nights prior, the Grizzlies came out with a purpose and poured point after point on the visiting Warriors. O.J. Mayo got off to another hot start, and carried the team through the first half with no problem. The youngster was especially efficient as a rebounder, grabbing seven rebounds in the first half alone. Darko Milicic, Marc Gasol, and Hakim Warrick provided enough support for Mayo as to help the Grizzlies hold a fifteen point cushion at the half.

After the break, Rudy Gay came out and played like a man possessed. The swingman hit four three-pointers in the final two quarters, and posted 22 of his 26 points in the second half. Mayo continued to produce, and with fourteen seconds left in the contest, dished out his 10th assist to earn his first career triple-double.

Player of the Game
O.J. Mayo (MEM) - 18 Points, 6-14 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 13 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 3 Steals



44% FG
6-24 3PT (25%)
12/17 FT
27 Assists
7 Turnovers
51 Rebounds
58 PitP
24 Bench Points

Rudy Gay - 26 Points, 9-22 FG, 4-9 3PT, 4 Rebounds
Hakim Warrick - 15 Points, 7-14 FG, 5 Rebounds
Marc Gasol - 14 Points, 6-6 FG, 5 Rebounds
Darko Milicic - 14 Points, 5-7 FG, 13 Rebounds
Mike Conley - 7 Points, 3-7 FG, 2 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Marko Jaric - 4 Points, 2-9 FG, 7 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 2 Steals



42% FG
2-19 3PT (10%)
19-26 FT
20 Assists
12 Turnovers
36 Rebounds
36 PitP
13 Bench Points

Stephen Jackson - 23 Points, 9-23 FG, 1-13 3PT
Al Harrington - 17 Points, 8-12 FG, 8 Rebounds
Monta Ellis - 13 Points, 4-11 FG, 7 Assists
Corey Maggette - 11 Points, 3-8 FG, 3 Rebounds, 7 Assists
Marco Belinelli - 7 Points, 1-5 FG, 1-2 3PT
Brandan Wright - 6 Points, 3-5 FG, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2 Blocks
Andris Biedrins - 4 Points, 2-4 FG, 15 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals

Record: 2-2