O.T. Mayo/Iverson/Gay trio Vs Lakers Trio....

[slickgreek]

Thanks Frantik.... not too many believers out there, but I agree hundred percent, Memphis makes that 8th roster spot. They got too much talent not too. Look at Iversons Phili Roster when he took them to the championship against the Lakers, Memphis has a better roster squad than that team!

[MAMBAEMD]

That's a sexy lineup that will be a bust IMO.
AI and Mayo have a "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality.
When the ball goes down into Randolf, you can forget ever getting it back.
There will be very little ball movement if those 3 play the way they have always played.
To me, it's not a situation of too much offense, too little defense.
It's BAD offense, too little defense.

That lineup is not comparable to the Lakers which are built around an offense that moves the ball around.

[Hyral]

And there' s of course MIlicic (I think) to bring the help defense from the low block.

And I think I'm forgetting another player... oh yeah, Hakim Warrick.

They got a nice core.

Offense will be readily available.

I'd just like to point out that both Milicic and Warrick aren't on the team anymore.

Milicic was traded to the Knicks for Q Rich and cash considerations.

Warrick signed with the Bucks and is hoping to start there.

What they DO have though, as far as young players go outside of Mayo/Gay/Gasol, is the No.2 pick in the draft Hasheem Thabeet, Sam Young, Darrell Arthur, Mike Conley, and Marcus Williams.

[Frantik]

That's a sexy lineup that will be a bust IMO.
AI and Mayo have a "shoot first, ask questions later" mentality.
When the ball goes down into Randolf, you can forget ever getting it back.
There will be very little ball movement if those 3 play the way they have always played.
To me, it's not a situation of too much offense, too little defense.
It's BAD offense, too little defense.

That lineup is not comparable to the Lakers which are built around an offense that moves the ball around.

The Griz management are definitely committed to building a team around [Thabeet, Gay, Mayo, Gasol]. I just don't think that Randolph is significant to that team in terms of the long run. I also heard that they are considering playing Gasol and Thabeet together. Remember that Thabeet is 7'3.

If That happens, then you have a massive twin tower effect. Gasol doesn't need the ball all the time. Thabeet is all defense, Gay has done his work over the summer to bang with the Carmelos of the league, and therefore look for him to have the ball slightly less. With that said, the Griz, if they go in this direction, can afford to have Iverson and Mayo shoot first and ask questions later. oh btw if Mayo can do all that in his rookie yr, and hes gonna be allowed to shoot first and ask questions later, then its gonna be lights out!

speaking of ball movement, a good coach can develop very good ball movement if you have a low post player that is truly defense-first (In-out-in-out). With Thabeet and Gasol down low (randolph off the bench), i think their ball movement will have to be solid.

what i dont get is... who tha heck is Hamed Haddadi?

[The Skyhook]

too much offense.
too many egos.
roster of disaster.

we should have kept marc gasol, the only bright light in memphis :/

Imagine if we used Sun Yue instead of Marc Gasol in the trade. A big man line up of Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum/Lamar/Marc Gasol would be sick. The Gasol bros woulda had great chesmitry together too. If Marc was here there could have even been a chance that Bynum wasn't resigned and Mitch would have went and got a point guard.

[Optms]

With the recent acquisition of Allen Iverson to the Memphis Grizzles, I really believe that they currently have a very decent NBA lineup. Call me crazy, but I think the Memphis Grizzles have a slim chance of making the playoffs this year. I think this is a great move by Memphis, and I also think that if you compared the Lakers top 3 players, against Memphis top 3 players, it isnt a very uneven matchup. Don't get me wrong I am not saying Memphis could beat the top tiers in the NBA, but they can sure challenge the Utah, Phoenix, Houston if their team stays healthy and if Randolph/Iverson can provide leadership to this growing team. Maybe random thoughts are going through my head since its 2AM, but just was thinking about the what ifs with Memphis....what do u guys think?

Guard- Iverson 18 PPG
Guard- mayo 19 PPG
Forwardrudy gay 19 PPG
Forward Randolph 20 PPG
Center gasol 11 PPG

I don't see them getting into the playoffs but I can see them playing better then what naysayers are making them out to be. Iverson is a good enough passer with the ball in his hands. I'd allow him to facilitate the offense. Conley would have to suffer in terms of growth, though. I'd start Iverson at the point. Mayo at the 2. And Gay, Randolph and Gasol's asses would fill in the back court. This is the only way I can imagine seeing them even challenge for the 8th seed without Iverson moaning about his role again.

[lakersfanatic]

all i know thus far is the only major difference that's helping the team by having AI are ticket sales. We'll have to wait until season starts in order to see if team chemistry is going to be an issue with these guys or not....

[The Laker Kid]

Lottery again. Iverson doesn't = playoffs

[Mamba Venom]

The Griz modle their team after the Lakers and I respect that

Thabeet -> Bynum lite
M Gasol -> Gasol lite
Gay -> Artest lite
Mayo -> Kobe extra lite
Conley is pretty good actually

AI = pays the bills -> LO = great 6th men

Go Grizz