Tim's Game Preview: Game 26, Memphis Grizzlies
by TimAllen on Feb 8, 2012 3:06 PM CST
in Tim's Previews
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Kevin Love discussing trade rumors with his agent, after the Wolves proved they play better without him anyway.
Minnesota Timberwolves (13-12) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (12-13) at FedEx Forum
"I think (playing without Love) builds character and it builds a winning attitude," Beasley said.
Kevin Love's MVP hopes and future with the Timberwolves took a huge blow last night with the Wolves' victory over the Sacramento Kings. There's a reason the Wolves held the Kings to 84 points (11 below the Wolves' season OPP/G average) on 37% shooting. There's a reason why you didn't see any T-Wolves players arguing with the referees last night.
Love was back home in Minneapolis. Clearly, he was part of the problem all along, and not the solution. I guess we can thank our lucky stars that David Kahn was smart enough to know this and avoid signing Love to a five-year deal.
Let's take a look at what might be in store for tonight's game, which, to the dismay of the Grizzlies, will also be played without Kevin Love.
Before the 2007 NBA Draft, how many people predicted that Mike Conley would find more success in the NBA than Greg Oden?
Projected Starters
C: The Peksecutioner vs. Ricky Rubio's Baggage Handler
PF: The Caged Lion vs. MMMMaaaarrrreeeesssseeee Speights
SF: I'm Too Good for the Rookie-Sophomore Game vs. Wow, You Really Got a Max Deal?
SG: They're Not Saying 'Boo', They're Saying 'Luke'...Right? vs. Professor Pondexter
PG: The Unicorn vs. Greg Oden's Son
DeMarcus Cousins wanted nothing to do with Nikola Pekovic last night.
Last 5 Games
Memphis Grizzlies:
Win vs. Denver 100-97 (OT)
Win at Atlanta 96-77
Loss at Oklahoma City 94-101
Loss at Boston 80-98
Loss vs. San Antonio 84-89
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Win at Houston 120-108
Loss vs. Indiana 99-109
Win at New Jersey 108-105
Win vs. Houston 100-91
Win vs. Sacramento 86-84
Sad news for the promising Darrell Arthur, who is out for the rest of this season. The silver lining for Arthur, of course, is that he gets to avoid defending Pekovic tonight in the post.
Injuries
Memphis Grizzlies:
Tony Allen - Questionable with a hip/knee injury
Darrell Arthur - Out for the remainder of the season with a right Achilles injury
Zach Randolph - Excepted to miss at least two more weeks with a slightly torn right MCL
Minnesota Timberwolves:
Malcolm Lee - Still rehabbing with the Sioux Falls Skyforce after left knee surgery
Darko Milicic - Questionable with a bruised left quadriceps and broken heart
Davis was released by a team whose two best power forwards are currently injured. That can't be an ego boost.
Recent News
Kevin Love will sit out tonight's game as he completes his two-game suspension.
Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams were selected to play in the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge. Wesley Johnson and Nikola Pekovic were not selected.
Malcolm Lee scored 16 points and dished out 6 assists in his first performance with the Sioux Falls Skyforce last night.
The Grizzlies waived forward Josh Davis. Davis had 5 points and 5 rebounds in 14 minutes against the Wolves in their January 4th matchup.
Rubio is on pace to finish with 870 assists this season (rounding up from 599.28). The all-time NBA record for assists in a season by a rookie is 868 by Mark "Mama There Goes That Man With My Record" Jackson.
Noteworthy Stats
- Ricky Rubio (2.44) and Mike Conley (2.43) are currently the league leaders in steals per game
- Rubio's assist ratio of 38.9 is 5th in the NBA behind Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Jose Calderon and Earl Watson. Kyrie Irving's assist ratio of 21.3 puts him 8th among rookies and 67th overall, behind such passing icons as Ben Wallace (22.0), Josh McRoberts (24.9) and DeSagana Diop (26.1)
- Nikola Pekovic is tied with Brandon Rush for the 2nd highest TS% in the Western Conference (.664). Only Oklahoma City's Nick Collison has a higher TS% (.703)
- The Wolves have only blocked 103 shots this season, which is 3rd worst in the NBA
- The Grizzlies have forced the highest number of turnovers this season at 455
Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins calling out the Grizzlies' best offensive play: the fake high-five and belly poke.
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Comments
The format may be different,
but the excellence is still there. I laughed at least five times reading this (Lionel Hollins counted it for me).
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
This is one of the best
Hilarious
by SirLusciousLeftFoot on Feb 8, 2012 5:14 PM CST up reply actions
"Questionable with a bruised left quadriceps and broken heart"
Hah
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
Darko didn't travel with team
According to Zgoda.
by hipity on Feb 8, 2012 3:23 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Good stuff
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 8, 2012 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
I like the new format
Wish I knew more about basketball to know who the Memphis players are without looking at the projected starters
by twinscrazy_german on Feb 8, 2012 3:26 PM CST reply actions
Yeah, maybe the nicknames were not all that helpful...=)
Marc Gasol, Marreesse Speights, Rudy Gay, Quincy Pondexter and Mike Conley are their real names.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
Respectively:
Top Quality, Decent Player, Great but Overpaid, Who? and Solid NBA Starter.
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
Pondexter?
What about Trick-or-Treat Tony Allen? Is he hurt or something?
In that pic chubby Love
Was clearly ordering a pizza.
Beasley really is a headache
Every possession stops at him. He frustrates me to no end.
Last night’s game most likely isn’t as close with Beasley off the court for the last 3 minutes.
Though he may have the most talent, he needs the most work
To retrain himself to play hoops the right way.
The positive is I can tell he tries to do the right thing at the times, then is too timid, then gives up and goes into chucker mode. Hopefully he gets it.
Just a great description of bealey's mental state
He’s getting it…even if it’s slowly. If he plays within the flow of the game, I can seem him working his way back into the starting line up (in place of Wes).
I would love Skittles to be a 6th man
Every great team needs a 6th man that should be a starter, but is willing to play the 6th for the ooomph off the bench.
I am rooting for Beasley to be that man.
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
Yeah, I hope he accepts that role
Seems to be the perfect fit for him on this team. He can do his thing when he comes in and it won’t disrupt anything, it will just help a ton, especially if he’s hot
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 8, 2012 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
Which if you think about it, the 6th man award
is kind of a back-handed compliment. Thats like saying to your prom date “You are prettier than all of the ugly girls in the room!”
Um, thank you, er?
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
I actually thought Beasley played well last night.
His shooting wasn’t great, but he gave good effort on defense and was active in other parts of the game.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
by TimAllen on Feb 8, 2012 3:49 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
And even though he wasn't hitting his shots like he can
He was actually taking good shots for the most part. A lot of hard work under the hoop from Beas.
I watch this team, and i care so much, simply because i can’t not. It’s just a part of who i am..
by Love4MVP on Feb 8, 2012 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Agreed.
I agree with both of you. Beasley’s problem, for once, was not decisionmaking last night. He just couldn’t find the range (and frankly didn’t get a lot of calls inside). Also, his postgame comments indicate he may actually care about winning now too. I would be much more willing to give up AR than Beasley should the Wolves seek a midseason trade
by Timberwolf in LA on Feb 8, 2012 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
If Beasley can give that type of energy and effort every night
Rick Adelman should automatically get coach of the year. It shouldn’t even be an argument after that.
Follow me on Twitter @timallenonline
by TimAllen on Feb 8, 2012 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Totally agree
Beasley is in the process of transforming his game, it won’t happen overnight. Superb preview Tim…a real return to form….you got me laughing out loud again.
Brilliant!
by kfa444 on Feb 8, 2012 4:01 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Derrick Williams outperformed
Beasley in last night’s game. This will be a trend throughout their careers. Beasley played more minutes and had more points and rebounds, but he wasn’t the better player.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 8, 2012 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
What is your basis for that statement?
Beasley did have a poor shooting night, but this comment seems to be through the lens of “new player I’m psyched about and hope can be really good” v. “older player I am frustrated with and just want to get rid of”
Williams didn't get as many rebounds,
but he did have 3 blocks, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 0 turnovers to Beasley’s 0 blocks, 0 assists, 0 steals, and 3 turnovers. Plus, the shooting difference was not small: 0.518 versus 0.381 TS%. So at least on the “last night” part of his statement, I don’t think it’s a stretch at all. On the “trend” part, who knows?
It is a combination being at the game
and seeing the box score. Beasley had 14 rebounds and 3 turnovers along with no other non-shooting stats. He threw up a bunch of ugly looking shots. Derrick Williams had 8 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks and no turnovers. He shot 50% from the field compared to Bealey shooting 33%. I’m not saying that Beasley had a terrible game, but Williams had a more positive impact on the game. Williams also hit the 3 that lead to the win in crunch time. Pretty solid night other than a few errant FTs. I don’t need to wish for Beasley to go. He’s on the last year of his contract and this team has bigger needs than signing him to an extension. Williams will be much better over the next few years than Beasley.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 8, 2012 4:18 PM CST up reply actions
As for the expectations down the road
Derrick Williams has a higher PER and WS/48 as a 20 year old rookie than Beasley has as a 4th year player. I will not deny I am excited about Derrick Williams’ future since players tend to improve after their rookie seasons, but he is already showing signs of being as good or better than Beasley this season.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 8, 2012 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
I probably phrased that more combatatively than I should have,
based on my own perception (and frustration, I guess) that the Beasley pessimism and Williams optimism—in general—are both too extreme on here lately.
(I wasn’t trying to imply that you didn’t watch the game or look at the box score).
I agree that Beasley is likely on his way out but am not sold from what I have seen so far that Derrick Williams is going to be a superior player over his career. Comparing Derrick Williams and Beasley this year with advanced stats is a little misleading as far as the “trend throughout their careers” point, since overall Beasley is playing significantly worse than his career numbers would project.
Your argument is well taken (and well made), I just think the conclusion is too strong/a stretch.
I actually have thought the argument
that Derrick Williams wasn’t the right pick has been a little too strong out here, which is primarily why I posted my comments. Many people believed D-Will was the best player available and I think his skill set can play alongside Kevin Love. I would play him all of the minutes Kevin Love is off the court and some minutes together. With work in the offseason, I don’t see why he cannot become a reasonably efficient SF that you can also play at PF whenever Love is out of the game. Beasley does appear to be going after rebounds better recently and it is only 14 games for him so far this season, but some of the things about his game that have frustrated people(defense & shot selection) are probably not going to change drastically enough to make him consistently good, even if they do look better in some games.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 8, 2012 5:39 PM CST up reply actions
I actually really liked how Beasley played last night
I think his box score was a lot worse than the actual game he played
I don't know what an art house is, I don't know what goes on in an art house, I have never been in an art house, and I can't imagine it's any place I ever want to be.
Take a closer look.
Beasley missed shots — there is no denying that. But he also actively went after rebounds (not like 14 boards fell into his lap) and even altered some shots on the defensive end with his length. It was a far cry from a perfect game, but I think the point is he exhibited more effort overall and seemed almost exhilarated after the game
by Timberwolf in LA on Feb 8, 2012 4:17 PM CST up reply actions
He also
made a couple of nice passes (which, in Beasley’s case, just means he passed the ball) to open jump shooters who just missed the shot. He easily could’ve had a few assists as well.
I’m not sure who will be a better player in 3 years, but I think Beasley has more talent.
Beas has been playing well over the past few games.
I would also say outside of the 4 point play, Wes has also been playing well.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 8, 2012 5:35 PM CST up reply actions
Cannot argue with this
Beasley has had some good quarters. And now that Adelmann is giving Wes minutes with Rubio, his +/- has been steadily improving. Wes impacted a number of shots last night and I think played all of the first quarter when we dominated on offense and defense—best 1st quarter of the season.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 8, 2012 5:49 PM CST up reply actions
Fourteen boards!
I did a double-take when I read the box score. I didn’t notice that happening at all.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 4:06 PM CST up reply actions
In Beasley's defense, it seems like whenever he gets the ball,
his teammates clear out. I’m starting to think Adelman WANTS him to be a chucker. If no one rotates to the side of him for a kick out, there is little opportunity for him to actually kick it out. Plus, with the clear out, he has more operating room to, well, operate.
Its something I want to give more attention to in the future, but I’m starting to think this is by design.
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
Yup, seems like it
When he’s on, he’s on, so I think Adelman is trying to have a part of each game where he gives Beas a chance to get hot
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 8, 2012 5:36 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed.
Adelman, as shown through his rotations, is quite a patient coach. I think you may be onto something
by Timberwolf in LA on Feb 8, 2012 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
Fan frustration
I want Beas (and Wes and DWill etc.) to play well. Then Adelman & Co. can decide who fits best, and management can deal players for “pieces” or draft picks. I know money issues skew everything, but I’ve written before about making deals that just move holes around. It doesn’t usually doesn’t do much good to trade one teams frustrations for the players who disappoint another team. Trading high may bring something, trading low or dumping is a tough way to gain ground.
"pokin' the animals at the Canis Hoopus zoo"
by pastyearsears on Feb 8, 2012 6:04 PM CST up reply actions
trading high is why I think DWill should be moved
that said I highly highly doubt the TWolves make any moves before next summer.
The Diop - passing icon line made me laugh out loud at work
Excellent
by TO12 on Feb 8, 2012 3:48 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
If Tony Allen really doesn't play, I'll feel better about our chances.
Obviously this is a tough win regardless and we’ll get annihilated if we shoot as poorly as we did the last 3 quarters last night… but still.
On tv?
Comcast is showing the wild vs Canucks in my listings and I’m in st Paul.
by jocky_flubio on Feb 8, 2012 4:23 PM CST via mobile reply actions
That's tomorrow night
Wolves vs. Memphis Should be on Fox Sports tonight…at least it was this morning when I set my DVR.
by Imyourhuckleberry on Feb 8, 2012 4:25 PM CST reply actions
My xfinity app thinks tomorrow is today, strange.
by jocky_flubio on Feb 8, 2012 4:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Great as always.
I need to watch quarters 2, 3 and 4 of the Kings game before I start on this one!
I have seen the Wes/DWill/Rubio/Harlem Globetrotters dunk special though.
I think this games pretty even. Yeah, we’re missing our best player but so are they.
"If you’ve got some balls, you can do some stuff"
(Gasol is the best player on that team)
(much love to Z-Bo, but…)
T'Wolves 2012: Where Pek Decimates Jason Thompson
SF: I'm Too Good for the Rookie-Sophomore Game vs. Wow, You Really Got a Max Deal?
Best match up of the season!
The Rubio with his passing, I say nothing because it's crazy! As we enjoy!
Kidding aside,
that could be an interesting contest.
(trying to resist a Gay-Johnson joke . . .)
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions
God, I listened to Colin Cowherd and Jalen Rose talk about RR today on SportsNation
I know that they’re just troll and they don’t really do great basketball analysis, but they were saying things like “well he can’t play defense” and “he’s overrated.” They were saying he’s lucky he came over late so people aren’t comparing him to more productive players like Curry or Jennings, and also that no one is playing defense this year so its easier for him. WTF IS THIS.
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
I'm glad I can't hear these idiots.
It’s such a shame that genuinely intelligent guys who write very interesting and informative stuff like Seb Pruiti don’t get the exposure they deserve.
"If you’ve got some balls, you can do some stuff"
Pruiti
The guy who keeps ranking Irving over Rubio? (This week he grinded on Rubio’s shooting skills to justify ranking him second and by the time I got done reading I couldn’t figure out why Rubio was in his Top 10 at all)
Yo ho ho and a FirstRow stream!
it's horrible isn't it
It’s getting better, but I’ve heard way too much of Jennings over Rubio for my liking.
by TO12 on Feb 8, 2012 5:14 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Right.
Watch this video (especially at the 7:20 mark) and tell me all about how he can’t play defense. Idiots.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 5:55 PM CST up reply actions
Apparently they get paid to not watch games
and proceed to talk out of their asses about what happens during said games.
It´s a susprise they don´t even take a look at the stats
When a player is ranked #1 NBA in steals, it´s at least very suspicious
That's the thing
I at least expected Beadle to point out that he leads the league in spg. Also, Jalen said that we’re definitely not making the playoffs
If I'm pissing you off its probably sarcasm
by CoffeeJanitor on Feb 8, 2012 5:32 PM CST up reply actions
I'm very Zen.
Didn’t even notice it.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed.
Rubio’s defense has been fantastic. You can look at the stats. You can watch a single game. You can read sports writers’ articles (because many of them have noticed his excellent defense). I think he’s on his way to becoming an elite defensive player at the PG position.
He IS an elite defensive player at PG
Only that recognition as a good defensive player is subjective, and takes:
A) Actually watching the games
B) Non-biased thinking
C) Time
gosh, 1 hour and a half for the game
time goes by… so slowly…
I find the time goes faster if I chloroform myself.
at least that’s what gets me through. Dunno ’bout yall…
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
Try it while chloroforming yourself.
You never know, it could be the next big thing…
(I assume thats so outrageous it doesn’t even need a % sign, but since I went to the trouble of actually typing that point out, I probably just should have put in a % sign and been done with it.)
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
I recommend this thread:
http://foros.acb.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=447548&start=16245
Its so full of WIN…
This is awesome
I didn't mean it, i was forced by the little people living within my head.
by Joe Kozinski on Feb 8, 2012 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 9 recs
That's spectacular!
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:09 PM CST up reply actions
I love
the “Last Supper” shot.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:13 PM CST up reply actions
Well I'll have to break out my decoder right for that one,
But I did understand some of the phrases: TimberTrolls, Rube Chat, New York y Jeremy Lin, and la masturbacion
Lots of funny pics :-)
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
I'm through page 4
of looking at all the pics & gifs. Only 1081 more pages to go. Think I can get done before game time?
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
Ugh - i mean decoder ring
RING!
I'm not creative enough to have a signature.
I clicked
but all I saw was green eyes.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:11 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure how said eyes are related to the Wolves
but they sure do make a compelling argument for belonging.
The Rubio with his passing, I say nothing because it's crazy! As we enjoy!
It took every ounce of my will power
to click away from the page.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:32 PM CST up reply actions
Succubus!
The Rubio with his passing, I say nothing because it's crazy! As we enjoy!
I apologize,
but certain things got imprinted deeply into my mind when I was a young adult.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:38 PM CST up reply actions
Youtubeless from work,
so I will just assume you posted a link that confirms photos of stunning women with amazing green eyes are trying to steal your soul.
The Rubio with his passing, I say nothing because it's crazy! As we enjoy!
Something like that . . .
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:53 PM CST up reply actions
Amigos, sadly I'm definitely out of tonight's game.
After almost 2 years, tomorrow I’ll have the removal of my orthdontic appliance. :) :) I’m 35, but I needed to wear one of those braces. I’m a cabin crew in a very important airline and I need a perfect smile for our clients. Tomorrow, I have an appointment at 9am downtown for a 1 hour open-up-your-mouth torture. I need to sleep at least 6 hours. Tonight we have Marc vs. Ricky and that means a lot of spaniards watching TV and streaming broadcasts.
Marc would have been an important addition for the Wolves to be a playoff team (I wrote that on other threads), but after watching Pek’s growth this season with a real coach on board and a real PG who feeds him with assists…. I have no doubt. Pek is the center we needed so badly. For me, Pek, Love and Ricky should be our starters. The SG and SF are already missing pieces in this young team to be considered the “new Thunder”.
Good luck with your procedure.
I hope you can record the game and watch it later.
I'm going to brag. I drive the Nikola Pekovic fanwagon.
by Cynical Jason on Feb 8, 2012 6:12 PM CST up reply actions
That's
A real low blow going after Lionel Hollins disabled hand bro
You read that into his comment. He didn't say that.
His good hand is the only thing being referenced, and it’s as part of a joke about the Grizzlies faking high fives before poking someone in the stomach. There are no jokes about his band hand at all.
Gary, you didn't kill your brother. Those gorillas did.
He,he... Game starts at 2A.M, here in Belgrade
I will watch only first half i have to get up at 7A.M to go to job. I wish to see the Pek vs. Marc duel…. GO WOLVES!!!
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