RealGM

vs.

Who: Memphis Grizzlies(44-21) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves(22-41)
When: March 18th 2013
Where: FedEx Forum in Memphis,TN
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Season Series: Grizzlies lead 1-0
Series Overall: Wolves lead 40-27
TV: SpSo ESPN/ESPN 92.9
Team Trivia: Wolves PF Kevin Love was drafted by Memphis in the first round (fifth overall) in the 2008 NBA Draft, and his rights were traded on draft night with Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal and Jason Collins for the draft rights to O.J. Mayo (third overall), Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric and Greg Buckner.





The Grindhouse











Grizzlies Celeb of the Game

Kate Beckinsale











Grizzlies Starters






Timberwolves Starters

After starting off slowly, the Grizz regained their pace and got the lead going into halftime 45-38

I guess one look from Kate's eyes send the Wolves running from the Grindhouse. They aren't putting up a fight.


74-53 heading into the fourth.

Leading scorers: Grizzlies – Conley 17, Gasol 15. Minnesota – Pekovic 9.

I'm starting to really like what I'm seeing from Tayshaun Prince. The guy's been really effective in a number of ways, particularly on offense. He has shown he can score in the post, on cuts to the basket, from the outside, and on the break since we've gotten him.

But tonight he showed he could take over the high-post passer role with Gasol on the bench. That could be key for us if we continue to use him in that way. Being able to sit Gasol and not really change much about our offensive sets could help us negate the lack of consistent scoring from the bench guys.

Prince also showed that he can be used as a ball-handler and point-forward, particularly in the small-ball lineups. With the offense being run through him, Mike Conley - the team's most consistent shooter - was free to play off the ball. He was able to cause problems for the defense by moving without the ball and looking for his shot.

I think that's what was most impressive: his decision-making with the ball. Most of the season, our only go to plays when we needed a bucket was one of:

1) Conley P&R
2) Randolph Iso
3) Gasol high post
4) Rudy Gay hero ball

Maybe it's too soon to say this, but using Prince as a point-forward may be an even better option. His length gives him the ability to post up any perimeter player, and he's crafty enough to start his post-ups from farther away than most players while still coming up with good looks. He also can pass, shoot, and put it on the floor.

And since Prince is every bit as good defensively as the guy he replaced, his length, versatility, and excellent decision-making may very well prove to be what this team has been missing.

It's pretty much the same business he did back in Detroit when he was part of their championship team run nearly a decade ago. That's what makes Prince work. He's a utility guy who will do the neccessary things to help his team win games.

SD2042 wrote:It's pretty much the same business he did back in Detroit when he was part of their championship team run nearly a decade ago. That's what makes Prince work. He's a utility guy who will do the neccessary things to help his team win games.

Yeah I guess I'm just not used to seeing this much versatility on the floor.

Prince, Conley, and Gasol all can hurt defenses in a few different ways and are excellent facilitators.

This team is starting to look like a mix of the 02 Kings and 04 Pistons, except we still haven't started hitting threes as consistently as either of those teams (especially SAC). Basically I mean great passing big men + good rebounding and paint play + excellent perimeter defense.

I still think we need a catch/shoot player like Rip, but Allen is a weapon in his own right because he helps us generate easy baskets.

darkangle901 wrote:Yeah I guess I'm just not used to seeing this much versatility on the floor.

Prince, Conley, and Gasol all can hurt defenses in a few different ways and are excellent facilitators.

This team is starting to look like a mix of the 02 Kings and 04 Pistons, except we still haven't started hitting threes as consistently as either of those teams (especially SAC). Basically I mean great passing big men + good rebounding and paint play + excellent perimeter defense.
I still think we need a catch/shoot player like Rip, but Allen is a weapon in his own right because he helps us generate easy baskets.

When you put in like that, you have a point.