We don’t bluff, they don’t miss
By Daniel Nicks
May 27, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (left) and small forward Tayshaun Prince (right) react on the bench in the second half of game four of the Western Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at FedEx Forum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
It’s been one hell of a ride, that’s for sure. And as much as I hate to see it come to an end, it might as well come at the hands of one of the greatest franchises in sports history – even if that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
Granted, what good is a sweep unless I get to over-analyze and overreact to everything we’ve seen over the last four games. Not to mention that if I were you, I would read this piece carefully as it should prove to be an outright education. After all, I had the Grizz in six. So I clearly know what I’m talking about. Here’s a few of my initial thoughts:
Zach Randolph: Where you at, bro?
Randolph seriously sucked, hard. There’s really no way of sugarcoating that. And it can’t help but raise questions as to whether or not the Grizz need to adopt the stretch four like the rest of the league.
Yes, his rebounding translated from series to series, but the late double-teams thrown at him by the Spurs seriously wrecked havoc on his offensive game. It also doesn’t help that he’s not exactly the soundest passer in the league under pressure.
I’m not saying the Grizz should move him or anything. God no. I’m just saying he’s not ‘the guy’. The guy we though could be ‘the guy’ was traded to Toronto for Tayshaun Prince and change.
Hollins gonna do Hollins
Speaking of Rudy Gay; it’s hard not to wonder what’s going to happen with the man that made quite a bit of noise after the deal with the whole “when you have champagne taste, you can’t be on a beer budget” bit.
The Nets, Clippers and Bucks are all reportedly interested in the three-year veteran and it’s far from a stretch to think he might jump ship. Plus after the lack of adjustments we saw in this Spurs series, it’s difficult to gauge whether we should actually want him back or not – regardless of the trending success he’s brought the Memphis over the last three seasons.
There’s also this:
It’s all about the fundamentals
No, this isn’t some poorly written pun on Tim Duncan. Although the Grizz could really stand to take a page or two out of his game.
You can have all the grit-and-grind, will and heart in the world but it won’t matter unless you can knock down a free throw or you can’t eclipse 40 percent from the field. Whereas it was the idiosyncrasies of the Spurs that won them this series; they do the little things and do them well.
It also doesn’t hurt that they know how to shoot. Like all of them know how to shoot, especially the Tony Parker guy. He’s pretty good.
The future
With a great young core, three second-round draft picks and an entire offseason of possibility ahead of us, it’s important not to forget that this was the greatest season in Grizzlies’ history. It’s also worth noting that this group still has yet to even realize their potential.