Mid -Season Player Grades

[Vietbrah]

Now that we're at the mid way point of the season, what grades would you give each player based on their play and give a description.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Here's a snippet on each player on the fly. Note, the Grizz as a whole get an F this season. The grades look better for individuals than for the team. That's due, in large part, to the recently departed Marc Iavaroni. Additionally, the Grizz are young and just don't have the depth/talent to make up for it.

OJ Mayo - A+ Those that said that he would be a better pro than college athlete were dead on. He's the real deal.

Rudy Gay - C Big step back/into neutral so far this season. He's one of two players that could see the biggest impact due to the coaching change.

Mike Conley - D He's the other player would could most benefit from the Hollins regime. So far what he is capable of (or seems to be capable of) isn't translating to the NBA game. He should be taking advantage of his speed - instead he seems too comfortable (unsuccessfully) slowing the game down.

Marc Gasol - B+ No mere rookie here. What's his ceiling - all star, competent starter, back up? Nobody knows for sure yet, but he definitely has skills though. He's skilled enough to make up for his slow foot speed with nifty moves. Personally I think he'll be a solid starter for many years with a possible all star appearance in the future.

Darrell Arthur - B Showing that he should have been a late lottery pick. Total steal for the Grizz. Has a lot of work in store to round out his game, but he'll be a rotation player for years to come.

Hakim Warrick - B Has upped his game. Still a huge negative on D - but for sure a rotation player. Has done everything the franchise has asked of him in terms of his role. Great locker room guy. Hak's biggest issue throughout his career is that he's a tweener in the worst way - too slow and not a good enough outside shot to play the 3 and too small/weak to be a truly effective 4.

Darko Milicic - B Has carved out a real niche as a strong defensive player. Limited by a broken knuckle this year. Provides a nice change of pace at the 4 next to Gasol against teams that have big front lines (San Antonio for example). Can't wait for him to return.

Kyle Lowry - C Has regressed some this year, although arguably it's not his fault. Iavaroni never seemed to grasp the importance of point guard play. Will be interesting to see how he reacts to Conley being handed the keys to the offense.

Quinton Ross - B- Signed as a defensive specialist, every time he jacks an ill advised 3 I wish someone would remind him. Overall an outstanding signing. It's unfortunate he was the key off season signing though.

Marko Jaric - Incomplete Mr. Lima has apparently been in the doghouse for not having the Mrs. in town and at games enough. Hopefully with Hollins taking over the bench we'll see a little more of him. Hell, we're stuck with him for two more years after this - might as well figure out what you have.

Greg Buckner - F Great guy, good influence on the youth - makes me want to puke every time he steps foot on the floor.

Hamed Haddadi - Incomplete Who's your Haddadi? Ours is a seven footer from Iran that appears to have legit skills that just need refining.

Darius Miles- A Good attitude (humble even?), intensity, brings it on every play, even with plastic knees. I hope he's signed for the rest of the season.

[dark-child]

OJ Mayo - B - has lived for this moment and takes it very seriously, Professional beyond his years,
with an understanding of the game and willingness to take and make the big shot, still
too turnover prone to take control of the point guard spot, has lost more than a few
games because of this. His ball handling and decision making only thing keeping Conley a
Grizz.
Rudy Gay - C- I'm being nice as Rudy probably should get a lot less due to the regression he has
shown and down right contempt for his former head coach. He should have been an
All Star this season averaging at least 24/7, but has been unable to adapt to defensive
attention or any versatility to his game. Not a take charge player that demands the
ball. Not a leader by any stretch and by seasons end will not be the go to guy.
Darko Milicic - B - There should be a light bulb there instead of a grade as it seems he has finally
found his niche. Top five on the ball Defensive big man in the first half of the
season.
Marc Gasol - B - We really didn't know what to expect from him but after the Olympics we were
a little hopeful. He has exceeded everyones expectations and wears his emotions
on his sleeve. In the south we love it when players care.
Mike Conley - D - He can blame his former coach if he wants, but he still had opportunities but he
did not seek them out. If so call experts are questioning whether you will even
last in the league then there is definitily a problem. No testicular fortitude!
Kyle Lowry - C - Mr. Geico, so easy a caveman can do it, Kyle runs fast, Kyle plays hard, Kyle
is tough, OH REALLY? Then why does no one feel he is the answer at the point?
Everyone in the organization and afar has pegged him a backup point guard, yet
his game is still the same - no development or progression. Apparently what he
brings to the table anyone can do it. Mr. Geico.
Hakim Warrick - B - He can finish, he can score, and so far the most consistent Grizz this year.
Hakim adding twenty pounds of muscle last off season could have been worth
50 million this off season, but you probably didn't need the money?
Marko Jaric - C - should be the first wing off the bench, playing time is now only becoming
consistent, no worries you are still the luckiest guy in the world and we all
know why.
Quinton Ross - C - You are still in the league, jumper needs to be more consistent.

Darrell Arthur - C - Fouls entirely too much thus limiting his opportunities, doesn't look very
comfortable has the potential to become a beast.
Greg Buckner - D - I don't know how you got that contract, but there was a fella here we traded
last year whom we wondered about also. You seem like a nice guy but a below
average basketball player. Good luck with the coaching gig next season.
Darius Miles - A - You have responded the way a player should when others say you can't do
something and have taken the high road at every turn. You have shown maturity
no one has thought you were cable of and the minutes you are on the court are
amongst the most exciting. I hope you at least get signed for the rest of the season.
Hamed Haddadi - I - Incomplete no real opportunity, but you have a three year deal so take your
time big fella.

[vanjulio]

Mike Conley has done some work and has shown up to each test but he hasn't really moved to the top of the stack. He barely passes with C-

OJ Mayo has been phenomenal. He works hard and has shown determination amidst adversity. However he does not seem to be immune to the general malaise that overcomes all Grizzlies in games. I have seen him standing without the ball doing nothing too many times. His defense also is a struggle but that is to be expected from the rookie. He gets and A-

Rudy Gay has regressed since last year in all categories. D

Darrel Arthur showed immediate potential and justification for the starting honors. But then he dropped off faster than most rookies. I'm not really sure why he is still the starter but you have to figure he is earning it with the little things that others are failing to do to impress the coaches. He might not be the lottery pick steal we thought initially but he is definitely a keeper. B+

Marc Gasol was almost a joke to most fans as a ridiculous consolation prize for one of the most lopsided and deplorable trades of all time. Luckily he has transitioned to the NBA with grace, dominating other "premiere" centers of the league on a nightly basis. He very well cool earn rookie of the year if Rose and Mayo drop off in the next few months. He has been playing pro ball for a long time compared to them so he might win the war of attrition. Some day he could be one of the top centers in the league but it might be going too far to say he'll be the "Allstar" his brother has been. A+

Kyle Lowry has shown he can be an excellent backup PG in this league for ANY team and a decent PG for a bad team that doesn't need him to take 10 to 15 shots a night on his own or carry the team solely on his back or play lock down defense. B+

Hakim Warrick is a really great role player in the NBA. The best 7th man a team could ask for. I'd lower his marks if I expected much else out of him but I want to be generous. He scores a B

Hamed Haddadi has a long way to go. He probably will never play 30 minute games but he could be a starter down the road. I think we have yet to see his abilities showcased in this league. He will amaze us before it's over! A-

Quinton Ross is a poor role player only used as a reserve on the worst of teams. But he has contributed significantly to this team. B+

Greg Buckner should be retired or playing on YMCA leagues. F

Javaris Crittenton went from a potential started in LA Lakers to the very end of Grizzlies bench. Not sure what's wrong in Washington either. I think he is better than Conley and Lowry combined. A

Darius Miles be banging. A

Marko Jaric. Where has he been? Certainly has not been helping us in any games I've watched. D+

Darko Milicic . I really don't have the authority to write on Darko. A few sentences would not do him justice. He simply is chimerical. B

Shaun Livingston, Steve Francis, Antoine Walker. Incomplete

[memphesis2]

OJ Mayo - A

Rudy Gay - b

Mike Conley - f

Marc Gasol - C-

Darrell Arthur - f

Hakim Warrick - d+

Darko Milicic - f

Kyle Lowry - f

Quinton Ross - f

Marko Jaric - f

Greg Buckner - F

Hamed Haddadi - Dont know yet?

Darius Miles- f Waste of money and space

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Poster above doesn't seem to attend or watch Grizz games.

[jefe]

Exceeded expectations: OJ Mayo, Marc Gasol, Darko Milicic, and Darius Miles
Met expectations: Darrell Arthur, Q Ross, Kyle Lowry, Hakim Warrick
Failure: Rudy Gay, Mike Conley, Marc Iavaroni
You're on this team ... really? No ****?: Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner, Hamed Haddadi, Lionel Hollins

[BarbaGrizz]

Jaric should get a A+...if he ever bring Adriana in a game...

[bgassassin]

LOL. Hollins just showed up jefe.

OJ Mayo - A

Rudy Gay - b

Mike Conley - f

Marc Gasol - C-

Darrell Arthur - f

Hakim Warrick - d+

Darko Milicic - f

Kyle Lowry - f

Quinton Ross - f

Marko Jaric - f

Greg Buckner - F

Hamed Haddadi - Dont know yet?

Darius Miles- f Waste of money and space

LOL. Pretty biased sounding if you asked me.

[memphesis2]

Poster above doesn't seem to attend or watch Grizz games.

yeah actually I do watch Grizzles game and I actually do compare them to other NBA teams and see what Griz are doing wrong because there is definitely a reason as to why Grizzles are losing all the time. I dont know if it is low self esteem, Psychology. Or the team seriously needs some extreme counseling on how to win. Because right now this isnt working at all Mark Iavaroni if you ask me destroyed this beautiful team and now we have to start all over again with Lionel. And to be honest I dont know if Lionel can pull it off.

[TrentTuckerForever]

Wolves fan here... do you guys consider Conley a legit part of your future, or would you move him for an expiring and a pick? Conley seems to be showing signs of life in the last five. I personally have liked him since the draft but was wondering what the view is from you guys, who've seen him at the pro level for a year and a half (BTW - consensus grade here is like a D+. Ouch.)

Woofies seem to have decided Foye is a 2, so we need a young point guard. Just curious what you would want for Conley if you did move him. Thanks.

By the way, good to see another fan base that knows what Marco Jaric brings to the table!

[GopherIt!]

I think the consensus grade for Marko was an A last year in Sota.