Sheridan Podcast: Can Grizzlies Bounce Back in Game 2?

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MaddowTwo things to watch for tonight in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals: A little more (maybe a lot) of Tony Allen defending Tony Parker, and a lot more production from Zach Randolph, who goes to his right about as often as Rachel Maddow.

The Spurs did an exceptional job of keeping Randolph from hurting them in their decisive Game 1 victory, but the Grizzlies and coach Lionel Hollins have shown themselves masters of making the correct adjustments as the playoffs have gone along.

Don’t forget: Memphis lost Game 1 against the Los Angeles Clippers and Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

And we all know what those teams are doing now — enjoying their summer vacations.

For more of a lookahead to tonight’s Game 2, give a listen to this podcast I did with Jason Anderson on AM-680 in Louisville.

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SH Blog: Myers says desperate times are over in Golden State, Howard intrigued by Rockets and Mavericks

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If you’re the general manager of the Golden State Warriors, how should you feel about the state of the team now that they have been removed from postseason action?

Pretty damnBob Myers confident, if you ask me. Lets put things into perspective here:

The Bad:

  • They were 23-43 just a season ago, good for third worst in the Western Conference.
  • Brandon Rush, arguably the team’s best perimeter defender and slasher, was lost for the season two games into the season.
  • Andrew Bogut missed 50 games and labored through the entire season.
  • Stephen Curry, once again, had multiple episodes of sprained ankles

The Good:

  • They were 47-35 this season and went beyond the first round of the playoffs.
  • Curry proved to be a franchise-level player in the regular season and the playoffs. The decision to sign him early to a now-amazing contract helps their salary-cap situation.
  • Bogut, even when playing at 50 percent, is an incredibly valuable asset when he’s on the floor. He has the entire offseason to get the troublesome ankle right.
  • Klay Thompson, though mostly horrific in the second round for all but one game, proved to be a reliable defensive presence and at times dominant on the offensive end.
  • Harrison Barnes proved that he will be a presence in this league when given the opportunity.
  • Draymond Green and Festus Ezeli were absolute steals in the second round of the draft.
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Bernucca: Small Market Dilemma is the NBA’s Big Lie

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220px-JoeMaloofByPhilKonstantinThis summer, when your favorite team’s owner or GM tells you a certain player is financially out of reach, here’s how you know he is lying.

His lips are moving.

NBA business is booming, folks. And not just for the so-called big markets. Take a quick look at the conference finals, which feature four teams from middle to small markets collecting millions for every home playoff game.

Take a look at the Sacramento Kings, who were just sold for a record $525 million even though they haven’t been in the playoffs in seven years and play in an outdated arena in a small market.

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Spurs-Grizzlies Preview: Five Key Factors

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zach randolphUvo, take me back to 2011. (Sorry, I’ve been watching too many Blake Griffin commercials.)

Just two years ago, the eighth-seeded Grizzlies stunned the top-seeded Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, sending San Antonio back to its rocking chairs a little bit earlier than anyone expected.

Memphis used a breakout performance by Zach Randolph (31 points, 11 boards in Game 6) to close out the Spurs, then took the Thunder to seven games before bowing out in the West semifinals.

Back then, analysts like Stephen A. Smith used unnecessary big words to postulate that we were seeing the end of the great San Antonio dynasty. How erroneous those assertions were.

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May: How did the Grizzlies get this good? Oh, brother

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gasolsThe meeting did not go well. At a hotel restaurant in Memphis in February 2008, Chris Wallace, the general manager of the Grizzlies, was trying to explain to Agusti and Marisa Gasol, the parents of Pau Gasol, why he had just traded their son to the Lakers.

Despite the obvious professional upgrade for their son, the parents weren’t all that keen on the move. They lived in Memphis. They had had one son in high school, a roly-poly, 3-point shooting leviathan named Marc. They had another one in high school at the time, another big boy, Adria, who would eventually make the UCLA team as a walk-on. 

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