Re: Guess who already sounds upset in Memphis
Can't go small with Z-Bo and Gasol playing as well as they are together... that's the only way they've stayed in games aside from Mayo's crazy shooting vs. Denver.
To me there are 2 options for the Grizz here (well, 3 including "complete failure a la AI in DET"): 1) Start AI with Mayo and go with a kind of twin guard deal so AI isn't "the point guard" but still controls the ball much of the time as he would normally and bring Conley off the bench or 2) promise AI 30+ minutes in every game whether he starts or comes off the bench, make sure he's on the floor in key situations (matchups permitting), and don't **** him around later in the season by going back on their word.
I would DEFINITELY go with the twin guard lineup since those have proven to be difficult to defend. Both AI and Mayo can shoot, take people off the dribble, and create for others... it's a tough check to have those two on the floor along with 3 other guys who can shoot (Gasol isn't a shooter per se but he still puts up 10+ PPG), you've got to constantly gamble on who to sag off of. Same reason I argue for JR starting in Denver when he gets back... so hard to defend a lineup full of guys that can score. The Grizz aren't becoming a shutdown defensive team any time soon, so why the hell not just run it balls to the wall with your 5 best offensive players and make it fun for the crowd? They'll pull off some major upsets throughout the season with that lineup and it'll put butts in seats... seems like a no-brainer to me.
Conley's looked pretty good, but he's not putting up the numbers that AI would by a long shot (9 pts 6 ast)... I don't think it would crush his spirit to have him sit for a year behind a HOF player that basically every young player in the league grew up idolizing. If they don't plan to keep AI after this year (which I don't see why they would unless it really worked out), Conley will get his chance. Same thing I said about the Detroit situation... they should've just started AI with Rip and brought Stuckey off the bench... young guys have a long career ahead of them, one more year of less minutes isn't going to kill them but that kind of disrespect to a veteran player can ruin the team dynamic quickly.
Can't go small with Z-Bo and Gasol playing as well as they are together... that's the only way they've stayed in games aside from Mayo's crazy shooting vs. Denver.
To me there are 2 options for the Grizz here (well, 3 including "complete failure a la AI in DET"): 1) Start AI with Mayo and go with a kind of twin guard deal so AI isn't "the point guard" but still controls the ball much of the time as he would normally and bring Conley off the bench or 2) promise AI 30+ minutes in every game whether he starts or comes off the bench, make sure he's on the floor in key situations (matchups permitting), and don't **** him around later in the season by going back on their word.
I would DEFINITELY go with the twin guard lineup since those have proven to be difficult to defend. Both AI and Mayo can shoot, take people off the dribble, and create for others... it's a tough check to have those two on the floor along with 3 other guys who can shoot (Gasol isn't a shooter per se but he still puts up 10+ PPG), you've got to constantly gamble on who to sag off of. Same reason I argue for JR starting in Denver when he gets back... so hard to defend a lineup full of guys that can score. The Grizz aren't becoming a shutdown defensive team any time soon, so why the hell not just run it balls to the wall with your 5 best offensive players and make it fun for the crowd? They'll pull off some major upsets throughout the season with that lineup and it'll put butts in seats... seems like a no-brainer to me.
Conley's looked pretty good, but he's not putting up the numbers that AI would by a long shot (9 pts 6 ast)... I don't think it would crush his spirit to have him sit for a year behind a HOF player that basically every young player in the league grew up idolizing. If they don't plan to keep AI after this year (which I don't see why they would unless it really worked out), Conley will get his chance. Same thing I said about the Detroit situation... they should've just started AI with Rip and brought Stuckey off the bench... young guys have a long career ahead of them, one more year of less minutes isn't going to kill them but that kind of disrespect to a veteran player can ruin the team dynamic quickly.
Classic A.I.
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