Mayo says Grizzlies soft

Post #1 » by **SD2042** » Sat Jan 3, 2009 7:42 am

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... grizzlies/

Mayo called the Grizzlies soft.

"We've got to play harder," Mayo said. "Rebound harder, dive harder, talk more do everything more and harder. We're a young team, so we can't afford to be nonchalant about anything. We can't be soft anywhere."

GrizzledGrizzFan · Post #2 » by **GrizzledGrizzFan** » Sat Jan 3, 2009 12:35 pm

And he's right. Gay looked awful last night. I'm to the point where I feel the same about Greg Buckner as I did about Casey Jacobsen. WTH is he ever doing touching the court? He's a waste. Hell - Jaric's here for this season plus two more, play him at least.

dark-child · Post #3 » by **dark-child** » Sat Jan 3, 2009 9:40 pm

Yeah we allow too many points in the paint so I would agree. As for playing Jaric I am all for that because we will not see his fiance until he gets quality time.

It_Was_Typed · Post #4 » by **It_Was_Typed** » Sat Jan 3, 2009 10:29 pm

Kind of sad how much this team misses Darko.

Post #5 » by **SD2042** » Sat Jan 3, 2009 11:29 pm

This team misses more than Darko. Too many puzzle pieces to name.

True Blue · Post #6 » by **True Blue** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 12:04 am

Can't say it isn't true. This team gets abused in the paint and we basically have no "aggressive" defender in the paint when Gasol is in foul trouble or Darko is out. Our big men in general have to step it up.

hptmatthew · Post #7 » by **hptmatthew** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 12:52 am

Mayo was calling out Rudy/Hak/Conley, IMO. Rudy has looked as bad last three/four games as I've ever seen him look, Hak constantly gets shoved around (although he's scoring very well), and Conley still can't finish after contact with any regularity.

Kyle and Gasol are immune to criticism for lack of toughness, IMO.

And Marko Jaric is absolutely horrible. I'd MUCH MUCH rather Miles and Francis see minutes than Jaric. He's useless, and his fiance is nowhere near hot enough to balance out his horribility. Adriana, IMO, must bow down to Laetitia Casta, anyway-hottest VS model EVER.

And Jaric can "request" trades all he wants-it's just absurd to think that the Grizzlies haven't been willing to trade him since the moment he was acquired. Guess what? NO ONE WANTS HIM. He was the poison pill contract we had to swallow to get Mayo (still a worthy cost/benefit analysis, IMO).

Cubboo · Post #8 » by **Cubboo** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 12:52 am

I can't disagree with Mayo. He pretty much nailed it, now let's see if the team responds.
We are thin with Darko out on the front line and I wouldn't characterize Gasol as soft. Lowry is as tough as nails and Ross is primarily a defensive specialist, so ...is this a challenge for Rudy? or the bench?

Post #9 » by **SD2042** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 12:58 am

A challenge all the way around. don't forget MI needs to share some of the blame in this.

jefe · Post #10 » by **jefe** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 6:59 am

This is news? I guess Mayo hasn't been watching the Grizz since they moved to Memphis. But in all seriousness, it's great to see the rookie stepping up and speaking the truth to a group of (young) vets.

Post #11 » by **jman3134** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 8:49 pm

That's when you know you're having problems: when the rookie has become the vocal leader, having to motivate the veterans.

The_Cut · Post #12 » by **The_Cut** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 11:00 pm

jman3134 wrote:That's when you know you're having problems: when the rookie has become the vocal leader, having to motivate the veterans.

problems? i think this is great - mayo can be special and hopefully stays healthy!

all these minutes will sooner or later catch up to him ...

Cubboo · Post #13 » by **Cubboo** » Sun Jan 4, 2009 11:25 pm

jman3134 wrote:That's when you know you're having problems: when the rookie has become the vocal leader, having to motivate the veterans.

We already knew we had problems with leadership. It's refreshing to see that a leader may have emerged from the locker room.

jefe · Post #14 » by **jefe** » Mon Jan 5, 2009 4:21 pm

jman3134 wrote:That's when you know you're having problems: when the rookie has become the vocal leader, having to motivate the veterans.

I see what you're saying, but I think it's more to the point that the Grizz may finally have a natural leader with the cajones to speak up - it just so happens that he's a rookie.

Downtown · Post #15 » by **Downtown** » Mon Jan 5, 2009 4:47 pm

I don't know how you can see it anyway other than positive. To draft a franchise player and then see him step up and want to speak out is a great thing.

I remember when we drafted Shareef Abdur-Rahim here in Vancouver. Then president and GM Stu Jackson practically begged him to become the leader. But Shareef was naturally quiet and didn't really want the role of the leader. I recall going to one of those autograph sessions they set up for rookies where you buy the 8x10 photo and get the player to personally sign it. Abdur-Rahim was like a deer in a headlight and could barely look anyone in the eyes.

That original Grizzlies group in Vancouver never had a vocal leader that would say what needed to be said. All Mike Bibby ever said was that he was signing elsewhere once his rookie contract was up. Michael Dickerson was shy by nature. Even guys like Byron Scott wouldn't step up and take charge. Bryant Reeves was the only guy I can recall always sticking around after games to face the media and answer questions straight up and be accountable. The rest ran like scared chickens.

To not only have a rookie that looks like he is a bonafide star but have him say what needs to be said is a wonderful thing.

Downtown · Post #16 » by **Downtown** » Mon Jan 5, 2009 5:05 pm

And about the toughness, I agree. Some of my favorite games were the Knicks and Heat playoff series. They were wars. Brawls almost broke out. No one gave an inch.

That's a big reason why the Celtics are having success. They play with a chip on their shoulders and only now are teams realizing that they better play them physical back if they want to beat them. I'm not a Boston fan but I'm thrilled that they are having success by playing in your face basketball. I can see other teams beginning to adopt those tactics. Usually when a team finds the right formula to winning eventually the rest pick up on it and a trend starts.

I think the league has been overall more physical this season and I'm loving it. OJ Mayo has a high basketball IQ and he sees it. I think you have your stars and surround them with tough role players.

The big question is which physical players are there that can help Memphis and also which teams would be willing to give those players up? I've watched Dahntay Jones and Charlie Bell play super aggressive defense this year and I can't help but think either of them could help wear down the other teams top pointguard as a backup for the Grizzlies. Same with Earl Watson. None of these guys are highend starters but they could fill a role as that hardnosed veteran stopper in the backcourt.

Imagine Reggie Evans on the Grizzlies as the backup power forward? He would instantly shake things up and sometimes that sort of player, even though he's not a key productive player, gives his teamates that bit of a boost and swagger. Varejo for Cleveland comes to mind. Robin Lopez is gaining the same role slowly in Phoenix. I could see a guy like Noah in Chicago develop into that type as well if he gets a little more of a chip on his shoulder. After his rookie season I felt that Sean Williams in New Jersey was going to be the same but he has gone soft, lost confidence, and is in the D League.

But I'm talking about backups now. It's alot more difficult to find teams that would trade their starters in exchange for Memphis' starters. I'm beginning to like guys like Patrick Mills and Dejuan Blair as Grizzlies if Memphis can swing a deal for a mid teen draft pick.