Game Blog: Spurs @ Grizzlies - Jan. 16

[O.J Mayo]

I start this thread on behalf of the Memphis Grizzlies believers and followers. I personally will lead the Grizzlies to victory.

Game Preview: http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=144472

My personal takes on the pathetic San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs are 24-14 behind the Denver Nuggets by half a win, currently standing at 4th seed. Their useless lineup consists of Tony Parker, Keith Bogans, Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan, DeJuan Blair.

I am a self-centred son of a so I will talk about my personal matchup with Keith Bogans first things first. I will take exception if Keith Bogans does not guard me. I am going to make him my . Your so-called top defender would not be able to guard me nor my ass.

Our top scorer and rebounder, Zach Randolph, is going to have a field day with Tim Duncan, that is, if he even dresses for the game and not in a formal suit. Nothing else needs to be said, Zach is going burn the pathetic Spurs who have no interior presence on the defensive end. That is all.

P.S: I demand I get to start a game thread for any Grizzlies matchup with the Spurs. You fools are old enough to not believe in jinxes. It is my 1st game thread as well so it is 0-0.

[TJastal]

I'd say its highly likely given Pop's stubbornness to change his coaching philosophies that he will again sit Duncan out and shorten his rotation to 8 guys with no shotblockers at all which will result in major burnout by the 4th quarter and a grizz victory.

Oh, and look for the grizz to jump all over the spurs in the 3rd quarter which is becoming the quarter of death for the spurs, thanks to POop's coaching (or lack thereof)

Who knows, he might actually bend his philosophy a little.. and play Mahinmi and Ratliff a whole 7 minutes each in garbage time instead of the 5 he gave them last night.

[Cry Havoc]

I'd say its highly likely given Pop's stubbornness to change his coaching philosophies that he will again sit Duncan out and shorten his rotation to 8 guys with no shotblockers at all which will result in major burnout by the 4th quarter and a grizz victory.

Oh, and look for the grizz to jump all over the spurs in the 3rd quarter which is becoming the quarter of death for the spurs, thanks to POop's coaching (or lack thereof)

Who knows, he might actually bend his philosophy a little.. and play Mahinmi and Ratliff a whole 7 minutes each in garbage time instead of the 5 he gave them last night.

[tlongII]

Memphis is actually decent this year so they should win this game.

[dirk4mvp]

Memphis is actually decent this year so they should win this game.

They're probably a better team than Portland.

[Chomag]

Win or lose I just want to see some effort tonight. Maybe less small ball and a bit of Ian would also be very nice..

[Blackjack]

A Mav fan, in the form of a Griz fan, starting a Spurs Game Blog?

That can't be a good omen; I'm thinking I'll commence the drinking.

[quentin_compson]

At 3 in the afternoon? (If you're in the US, that is)?

[HarlemHeat37]

It's never too early to start drinking..

[Blackjack]

Amen.

[DesignatedT]

Duncan playing tonight?

[duncan228]

Duncan playing tonight?

Haven't heard anything since McDonald's preview last night.

There’s a good chance Duncan could sit out second night of back-to-back.

[007nites]

If TD doesn't play, who is going to guard the front line of Randolph and Gasol. Gasol is 7'1" for peed sake. Our tallest defender on the team is barely 6'9".

Starting lineup will be:

Parker: 6'2" 180
Mason: 6'5" 200
Bogans: 6'5" 215
Jefferson: 6'7" 220
Blair: 6'7" 265

Memphis:

Conley: 6'1" 185
Mayo: 6'4" 210
Gay: 6'8" 230
Randolph: 6'9" 260
Gasol: 7'1" 270

[spurs10]

If TD doesn't play, Dice, Theo, or Ian will need to start. Don't think Mason and RJ will start together either way.

[duncan228]

McDonald.

It's a shot of a young, hairless Pau Gasol that the Grizz still have up here. I thought it was funny.


Photo by Jeff McDonald

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Against Gasol and Z-Bo Pop will have to play big ball, surely? I think we'll see both Ratliff and Mahinmi tonight.

2nd of a b2b on the road means that the Grizz should be big favourites, but I think this will be a close game at the end. No idea who will win it.

[Chieflion]

Against Gasol and Z-Bo Pop will have to play big ball, surely? I think we'll see both Ratliff and Mahinmi tonight.

2nd of a b2b on the road means that the Grizz should be big favourites, but I think this will be a close game at the end. No idea who will win it.

The advantage is not as big as you think. Grizzlies faced Minnesota just last night too.

[duncan228]

Spurs down one big man vs. Grizz
By Jeff McDonald

The Spurs will face Memphis tonight short one big man, but it's not the one everybody expected.

Tim Duncan is in. Antonio McDyess is out.

McDyess suffered a pinched nerve in his neck during Friday's loss at Charlotte. He will be listed as day-to-day after tonight's game.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had originally planned to rest Duncan on the second night of the back-to-back. After a spirited pre-game workout, Duncan convinced Popovich to let him play.

The absence of McDyess certainly helps Duncan's case, but was not the deciding factor, Popovich said.

"I think even if McDyess was healthy, Timmy wants to play tonight," Popovich said a pre-game interview. "He's decided he wants to play."

[duncan228]

Starters: Bogans, Parker, Blair, Duncan, Jefferson.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

The advantage is not as big as you think. Grizzlies faced Minnesota just last night too.

I was wondering about that but couldn't be bothered to check. Thanks.

I still think a b2b on the road is significantly more difficult than one at home due to the travel. Grizz still start favourites, but you are right, not by as much.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Spurs down one big man vs. Grizz
By Jeff McDonald

The Spurs will face Memphis tonight short one big man, but it's not the one everybody expected.

Tim Duncan is in. Antonio McDyess is out.

McDyess suffered a pinched nerve in his neck during Friday's loss at Charlotte. He will be listed as day-to-day after tonight's game.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had originally planned to rest Duncan on the second night of the back-to-back. After a spirited pre-game workout, Duncan convinced Popovich to let him play.

The absence of McDyess certainly helps Duncan's case, but was not the deciding factor, Popovich said.

"I think even if McDyess was healthy, Timmy wants to play tonight," Popovich said a pre-game interview. "He's decided he wants to play."

Tim in, great.

Dice out - hopefully the guy to replace him will be Ian. Nothing against Theo who I really like, I'm just really interested to see what Mahinmi can do out there again. The Nets game has really piqued my curiosity.

[HarlemHeat37]

Another thing that sucks about the Ian situation is that he probably doesn't have any room for error at all..if Pop gives him another chance, I bet he'll have to have a nice showing whenever he's on the floor..if Pop can't even play him after he has a big game in his 1st appearance, I doubt he'll play him again if he has a bad game..

That could be a good thing though, he probably realizes this and it might make him even hungrier..

[Chieflion]

I was wondering about that but couldn't be bothered to check. Thanks.

I still think a b2b on the road is significantly more difficult than one at home due to the travel. Grizz still start favourites, but you are right, not by as much.

I saw the Grizzlies starters play in garbage time a little too, Lionel Hollins relies on the starters too much. They should be tired. I only hope that they do not carry on being hot. The Grizzlies burned the Wolves for 135 points last night.

[Spurs Brazil]

2nd quarter

Bobcats 58
Suns 27

[mystargtr34]

If i was Ian i would ask for a trade. He's due for his next contract at season's end, he's dripping with potential and talent but he cant even get more than 25 minutes on a court 40 games into the season - despite putting up 20-10 in those minutes.

Maybe he doesnt want to come accross as a bad apple, but i thought he agent would have done something by now.