Team Expert/Cool Guy: Thomas McKee from The Beale Street Beat, a blog dedicated to the Grizzlies and a great read for all things Grizzly.
Questions and Answers:
1. With the injury to Pau Gasol, who will step up for the Grizzlies? A healthy Damon Stoudamire? Mike Miller? Can Hakim Warrick or Stromile Swift keep the position warm enough until Gasol comes back?
There is not just one single player on the Grizzlies that is going to be able to pick up the slack for Pau Gasol's 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists a game. It's going to have to be a team effort. However, if there is one player that needs to pick up the slack more than the others, it's Stromile Swift. The "Stro Show" returns to the Grizzlies this year after spending one disappointing season in Houston. A few seasons ago, when Gasol was injured mid-season, Swift came in and performed very well during about a 10 game stretch. He lived up to his "potential" that he has had for his entire career during those games that he filled in for Gasol at power forward. If Stromile can do what he did a few seasons ago, the Grizzlies shouldn't miss a beat during the first few months. But that is a BIG "if." Other than Swift, look for the emergence of second year players Hakim Warrick and rookie Alexander Johnson to contribute well as back up power forwards.
2. How much time do you expect Rudy Gay to get? If he gets about 25 minutes on the floor, how well can he do?
Rudy Gay will not be a starter on opening day, but it won't take long for him to make it into the starting line up. Coach Mike Fratello is not one to give rookies a ton of minutes, but this season he's not going to have a choice. Jerry West has made it clear that he wants to see all of his rookies get playing time, especially Gay. Rudy will get 25-28 minutes a game, and should produce very well. I see him averaging about 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
3. How much does losing Shane Battier affect the team's excellent defense?
The Grizzlies lost so much on the court and off of it when they traded away Shane Battier to the Houston Rockets. They lost the face of the franchise, fan favorite, and that player that a team can always count on. The thing that the team is going to miss the most about Shane is his leadership on the court. Battier has always been a leader from high school to the pros. Most of the time he leads by example, especially on defense, by taking a charge or diving on the floor for a loose ball. There is no doubt that the team is going to have to have someone else fill that void, and the likely candidate is Brian Cardinal. Cardinal is returning from a dismal season last year, most of which he was sidelined with various knee injuries. He stuck in this league because of his hard work and grit, and he is definitely going to have to bring that to the table this year or he may find himself on the bench in favor of younger players. Another guy I look at to help fill that defensive void left by Shane is Dahntay Jones. He has had a solid pre season and is going to need to keep it up for the regular season. The bottom line is, no matter how well other players pick up the slack, Shane Battier is irreplaceable.
4. Anything else you want to say about the Grizzlies?
I believe there is going to be no "middle ground" as far as the record is concerned this year for the Grizzlies. The team is either going to come together and make the playoffs, or they are going to be stuck in the basement of the Western Conference. It is a very young, new team that is going to rely on a few things: Damon Stoudamire having a solid return from knee surgery, Pau Gasol having a solid return from foot surgery, the emergence of Rudy Gay, and overall team chemistry.
5. Who wins the NBA Finals this coming season (besides your team, that is)? Just give me a team name at least.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I see the Chicago Bulls winning the NBA Championship. They are young, athletic, and have a good mix of size and speed. I believe they have the best up and coming point guard in Kirk Hinrich, and the additions of Tyrus Thomas and Ben Wallace are going to take them to the top.
Thomas, thanks for taking the time out of your hectic schedule to do this up. People, please support The Beale Street Beat because with Pau Gasol, the Grizzlies best player out for a while, Thomas will need something to be happy about.
MY TAKE - Things Go Right If These Three Things Happen:
1. The Grizzlies can keep their heads above water without Pau Gasol's services for the first few months of the season.
2. Hakim Warrick or Stromile Swift (back for a second time) can step up into a solid low-post option and can at least rebound the ball on a consistent basis.
3. Damon Stoudamire comes back strong from injury and can do what he was signed to do during last season's offseason - score, hit threes, and rack up assists.
MY TAKE - Things Go Wrong If These Three Things Happen:
1. Mike Miller seems like the best option on offense at this point. If he can't score, the team could be in trouble.
2. Rudy Gay, a highly-talented player that needs motivation, stays unmotivated.
3. Veterans such as Chucky Atkins and Eddie Jones can't help the young guys understand that it's a long season and that the season is a grind. Without Gasol, an attitude towards losing can quickly get to the young guys.