Grizz Should Forego the Playoffs

[pardon_my_interruption]

It was good while it lasted.

The guys put together a heck of a run this season, surpassing expectations, but when you look at the big picture, what will we benefit from making the playoffs this year? Another 1st round exit at the hands of the Lakers/Jazz/Nuggets?

Possibly a sweep.

If you look at our current team it's very much like our teams of the past with Pau Gasol.

A good scoring front-court but atrocious defensively. We give up way too many points in the paint. Thabeet, if he ever does come around, can't help that this year.

We don't have the guard play needed to be effective in the post season. None of our guys on the perimeter have the wherewithall to attack the rim which is essential to the tough play in the post-season.

With so many players that could really help us via trade this year being injured (Travis Outlaw, Leandro Barbosa, etc..) I don't see any deals that make sense that would guarantee us any kind of success in the post-season.

Do I think this team is better than our 0-12 playoff teams? Yes..at least the starting 5, but with all things considered (experience/bench) I very well think with our deficiencies would make us susceptible to yet another sweep and I don't want to go through that again. The next time we make the playoffs we need to be capable of advancing.

We aren't there yet.

[I Am Awesome-O]

I agree. This team is not ready for the playoffs yet IMO. It will benefit us significantly to wait it out this year, get the players one last year of experience under their belts, get one last lottery pick (and a diminutive shot at John Wall, Evan Turner, or DeMarcus Cousins), re-sign Rudy Gay, acquire a shooter like Mike Miller via trade or free agency, and make our first real playoff push next year.

If we rush this thing, it will be the Pau Gasol era all over again. To be elite in a small market, you have to be patient. All we need is one more year of patience.

If you can get CDR at the deadline, fine. He would likely be here for the long-haul. But if you can't get a long-term asset, don't sacrifice any other long-term assets that you have just to make a move and improve bench depth for one year. I mean really, how many more wins is Dorell Wright going to get us? If I was a betting man, I'd say ZERO.

[It_Was_Typed]

The Grizzlies are "only" 3 games out of a playoff seed with 32 more games to go. I'm discouraged with what has happened the past week and a half, but they can still make a run. I think the experience would do the team well for the future. I'm not really interested in any draft prospects not named Wall, Turner or Monroe to be honest.

And maybe it's just me, but if they could draw Denver or Dallas in the first round, they have a fighter's chance.

[vanjulio]

send all the starters to DLeague for rest of season? You might have some unhappy campers. not to mention lose most of your fan support in the process.

[pardon_my_interruption]

I'm not really interested in any draft prospects not named Wall, Turner or Monroe to be honest.

I agree on the picks, but it only helps us to offer up our pick if we are willing to take back salary tied to players that can help us win now..long-term money.

But that does not seem to be the case. And it would be foolish to give up your draft pick for an expiring contract and have a guy sign elsewhere on you in the offseason.

And maybe it's just me, but if they could draw Denver or Dallas in the first round, they have a fighter's chance.

I felt the same thing about our team 4-5 years ago.

FWIW, Dallas would absolutely murder us in the playoffs and I wouldn't bet on Conley/Mayo/Gay and no bench over Billups, J.R. Smith and Carmelo.

[It_Was_Typed]

But that does not seem to be the case. And it would be foolish to give up your draft pick for an expiring contract and have a guy sign elsewhere on you in the offseason.

I see where you're coming from, but I'm one to think that picks in the late first round are crapshoots anyways (Nuggets and Lakers pick). Should NOT trade our own pick.

I felt the same thing about our team 4-5 years ago.

FWIW, Dallas would absolutely murder us in the playoffs and I wouldn't bet on Conley/Mayo/Gay and no bench over Billups, J.R. Smith and Carmelo.

I'm positive Billups would murder Conley/Tinsley/Williams.

O.J. always plays well against the Nuggets and Rudy could "negate" some of Melo's impact because he can go back at him.

But I like our bigs over Denver's and Dallas' personally. Just thatour inexperience, lack of defense and lack of depth would hurt us.

[pardon_my_interruption]

I see where you're coming from, but I'm one to think that picks in the late first round are crapshoots anyways (Nuggets and Lakers pick). Should NOT trade our own pick.

Yeah but you're not going to get much in return for those..for the reasons you stated.

That's why you hear names like Dorell Wright.

I'm positive Billups would murder Conley/Tinsley/Williams.

O.J. always plays well against the Nuggets and Rudy could "negate" some of Melo's impact because he can go back at him.

O.J. and Rudy are glorified jump shooters. If O.J. isn't making shots..you get nothing from him. Rudy can't create his own shot. Neither attack the basket. All you have to do is guard the 3 point line..let Zach get his and it's a wrap. Lord help us if it's against a team that excels at running the pick and roll.

They wouldn't stand a chance in the playoffs.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

Let's just let the season play out and enjoy the ride. If the Front Office brings in a little bench help, I'm all for letting the chips fall where they may.

[BarbaGrizz]

Agreed. This is our prep year. Players have seen that they could play against the alpha dogs and the organization is cashing with the vacuum that the Tigers left. Let´s get a 6th man in this draft, resign Gay and make a real push next year.

[MemGrizz723]

That makes NO sense IMO, if you have a chance to make the playoffs then go for it. I dont care if we only get the 8 seed and have to play the Lakers in the 1st round. Everybodys goal before the season starts is to make the playoffs so why should we be any different. I would love for us to make the playoffs and play the Lakers instead of just sitting home watching the playoffs. It would be absolutely STUPID not to try to make it. What good would it do to just sit at home during the playoffs?

[jefe]

It would mean more to the casual fans and the city to make the playoffs (even if we ended up 0-16 all time) than the difference between the 13/14 pick and the 18/19 pick in the draft. IMO, you play to win and go for it.

Edit: Forgot to point out that playoff experience can never come too early for our young team as well. While we might take our lumps in the playoffs this year (if we qualify), the experience can only help the overall development of Rudy, OJ and Marc. Again, I would value playoff experience one year earlier in their careers versus adding another mid-lotto player and postponing that experience until 2011.

[Downtown]

Of course they should try to make the playoffs. To say that you don't want to see Memphis get swept and that if they are to make the playoffs they should be able to advance is just plain stupid. Imagine any player, coach, GM, owner saying they don't think they should try to win because they might have to face a team that will beat them in the playoffs.

And even if they miss the playoffs, which is a very good possibility, the difference in draft position to if they do just make it isn't going to mean they lose out on a great franchise player.

Plus I don't think the Grizzlies GM has been looking for a longterm, high priced player to bring in, so if the owner is willing to pay another $3mil or so above where they sit now in salary for short term help then who cares?

[pardon_my_interruption]

Regarding the experience for the casual fan...In my opinion it would be much more damaging for next season to make the playoffs this year and go 0-16.

The Grizzlies are still suffering from a lack of interest in this team and in large part due to that record.

Fact is..if we do make the playoffs..currently we don't have a strong enough season ticket base to guarantee sellout attendance for 2 home playoff games. I wouldn't count on walkups to makeup the difference. The only way to fill the place would require tickets with nice discounts which decreases revenue. And going 0-16 in the playoffs would only hurt next season's ticket sales.

If we continue to play well and just miss the playoffs..I believe the casual fan would be more apt to purchase season tickets next year..meaning stronger home attendance. Another year under our belt. Rudy Gay's future here would have been decided and we'd have more control over manipulating the roster to fill out needs - bench/defense/experience/PG play etc. With a souped up roster..we would be much better off next year. I just see the timing as being much better.

Sure I would love to see them make the playoffs. I also don't think trying to do it with a mantra of we only want expiring contracts when we have so many holes is the way to do it. With those limitations It's a recipe for disappointment.

[jefe]

Regarding the experience for the casual fan...In my opinion it would be much more damaging for next season to make the playoffs this year and go 0-16.

The Grizzlies are still suffering from a lack of interest in this team and in large part due to that record.

Fact is..if we do make the playoffs..currently we don't have a strong enough season ticket base to guarantee sellout attendance for 2 home playoff games. I wouldn't count on walkups to makeup the difference. The only way to fill the place would require tickets with nice discounts which decreases revenue. And going 0-16 in the playoffs would only hurt next season's ticket sales.

If we continue to play well and just miss the playoffs..I believe the casual fan would be more apt to purchase season tickets next year..meaning stronger home attendance. Another year under our belt. Rudy Gay's future here would have been decided and we'd have more control over manipulating the roster to fill out needs - bench/defense/experience/PG play etc. With a souped up roster..we would be much better off next year. I just see the timing as being much better.

Sure I would love to see them make the playoffs. I also don't think trying to do it with a mantra of we only want expiring contracts when we have so many holes is the way to do it. With those limitations It's a recipe for disappointment.

We'll have to agree to disagree on the experience for the casual fan. As for selling out the two playoff games; you think we'd have a problem selling out two playoff games against the Lakers? Selling out a Lakers game during the regular season doesn't seem to be a problem. Obviously, Denver or Dallas would be more of an issue - but I think that playoff basketball would attract more walkups than any regular season game (it's more of a destination or night out than a january game in the middle of the week against the clippers, twolves, warriors, etc.), but we can agree to disagree on that point as well.

Also, about trading low value assets for immediate help with the restriction that the player we get in return be an expiring: I don't understand your logic. You're against giving up expirings and/or extremely late first rounders for immediate help - but if we didn't give them up, what would we have? Expirings (that aren't particularly helping right now) and/or rookie role players / fringe NBA players (next year - with the late first rounders) that most likely won't make any immediate impact (again, next year). I suppose we could bundle the two late firsts together with our own pick and move up on draft night - but I personally don't value that mere possibility more than immediate help to this team now.

Finally, I get the sense from your posts that it's an "either or" scenario in your mind (i.e. we make the playoffs either this year or next year); why can't it be both?

[jman3134]

The Grizz should definitely try to make the playoffs. It would be great for a young, inexperienced team to gain from a playoff appearance with a veteran squad. It's all about the learning curve at this stage and playoff basketball is an entirely different animal. The difference in picks would probably not be that noticeable either. The mid to late first round is not that great anyway, and we are realistically probably not going to get a top 9 pick. We could use a higher pick, but not a the expense of our team.

[Downtown]

Last year Atlanta was a team that finally turned the corner during the regular season and made the playoffs after a long stretch of suffering, just like Memphis. They had a good showing in the playoffs despite not winning it all and have used that experience to advance themselves to the next level this season. Finding that super sixth man in Jammal Crawford was the catalyst that put them into the next level, but no doubt their playoff experience showed them what it takes to get there.

I could easily see the Grizzlies two seasons behind the Hawks in a comparison, with the curve going up.

[StutterStep]

Shoot for the playoffs. Spurs are still struggling. NOH will fall off. It's between Grizz, Blazers and Thunder. Unlike previous years, you will not be going with a veteran team but 4 young core guys and unheralded bench, so getting swept is not a big issue. Plus, look at the Bulls last year against the Celtics -- classic series.

[KillaMayo]

What are you guys talking here. MOST DEFINETLY to the Playoffs. This would be a great motivation for the next years if got there this year. Once we get to the playoffs everything is possible....

[BarbaGrizz]

Of course we should pursuit a playoff spot, but it will not be the end of the world if we didn´t make it IN THIS SEASON. The team is going to have my full support in all games for sure.

[pardon_my_interruption]

Also, about trading low value assets for immediate help with the restriction that the player we get in return be an expiring: I don't understand your logic. You're against giving up expirings and/or extremely late first rounders for immediate help - but if we didn't give them up, what would we have? Expirings (that aren't particularly helping right now) and/or rookie role players / fringe NBA players (next year - with the late first rounders) that most likely won't make any immediate impact (again, next year). I suppose we could bundle the two late firsts together with our own pick and move up on draft night - but I personally don't value that mere possibility more than immediate help to this team now.

No. I believe you misunderstand.

I'm all about giving up expiring contracts and picks for immediate help. That's normally what teams looking to make a push do. However...they don't give up expiring contracts and picks for.....players on EXPIRING (rookie) CONTRACTS themselves...like what the Grizzlies are seemingly only willing to accept. What is the logic in that if you are thinking long-term and are thinking about the playoffs this year and next. Yes an expiring contract tied to a good player may help you this year...but what happens when that player goes elsewhere next season? You have one less pick to replace him and are not going to be as good as you were a couple of months before.

I'd give up an expiring and pick for Ryan Gomes for instance. But we'd rather do it for Damien Wilkins because he's expiring.

Finally, I get the sense from your posts that it's an "either or" scenario in your mind (i.e. we make the playoffs either this year or next year); why can't it be both?

Because the thought process of Grizzlies management isn't conducive to it in my opinion. At least not from what I'm getting.