inexperienced team. Its no secret that they aren't on a lot of peoples list as favorite team. Catching a Grizzlies game on television here in Atlanta is harder then remembering what B Diddy looked like before his man beard. Out of the 82 regular season games each team receives I am blessed to watch Memphis do their thing two times out of the year. I can thank the Hawks for that. My fascination for the Grizzlies started when WHIT EBOY became a TRUE point guard. Now don't get me wrong I loved Jason Williams when he was in Sac Town, there was no one as exciting to watch, but the assist to turnover ratio made me disgusted. Yes he was still shaky with the turnovers in Memphis, but from the 03-04 season he hasn't been near the 3.29 turnovers he averaged in his 01-02 campaign. He even gave Memphis a taste of what a playoff game feels like. Since he left four seasons ago the Grizzlies only made the playoffs once!The 05-06 season was kind of tough to watch for me. My main guy is doing his thing at the Other M, Miami and Pau Gasol was trying to take the team on his back to lead them to victory. That didn't go so well. Just as i started to loose all hope for the Grizzlies Rudy Gay happened the following season. As a rookie he showed flashes of stardom that lies patiently waiting inside his 222 pounds, 6'8 body. He averaged 10.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg and was named to play on the rookie sophomore challenge. I was not the only one to see his potential, the Grizzlies started to build the team around him other then building the team around Gasol as they've been doing since 2001. It was no secret Rudy Gay is the star player of that team. His Sophomore season was no disappointment by any means. He almost doubled his scoring posting up 20.1 per game and his rebounding stats went up to 6.2 per game. Not only was he scoring, but he was doing it in style which made it even more enjoyable. Weather it was his game winning 3 pointer to his ridicules see it to believe it slam on the next big thing YI in the summer league. This year I have no doubt in my mind that this is going to be another break out year for Rudy Gay.
Watching the 08 Draft was a joy because my favorite high school and college player OJ Mayo was included in the mix up of being the number one draft pick. No he wasn't a strong subject like Derrick Rose and Michael Beasly, but just being mentioned just mirrors on how strong his game really is. OJ Mayo does receive the award for most controversial player in the draft class. From being so called "over-rated" to pushing referees that flop worst the Vlade Divac himself. No matter what sports writer was criticizing him I stayed with him trough it all. So when Stern said "For the third pick in the 2008 NBA draft the Minnesota Timberwolves select OJ Mayo" I smiled, then thought about it and under my breath i repeated Minnesota... MINNESOTA!!! NO!!!!!!! The look on his face was like mine, happy to be drafted, but pissed because its MINNESOTA! But then when they announced the trade for Kevin Love and OJ Mayo I stopped everything I was doing, that included breathing. I asked my self is this a cruel joke that is being played on me or a gift from the all star upstairs. OJ Mayo is a Grizzly! Could this really be that my favorite player is teaming up with my favorite player and team?! OJ Mayo is a Grizzly. OJ Mayo is a Grizzly. I could say that all day long. Now there is no doubt in my mind that the Memphis Grizzlies are going to be contenders for a playoff spot in the East. It may not happen this year or it may only time will tell, but from his summer league performance I think the world should get used to seeing him shoot from anywhere on the court to slamming it home! Don't believe me ask Hilton Armstrong he'll tell you!
