<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>MIAMI -- There were seven games in the win column separating the Grizzlies and Miami Heat -- a misleading disparity given how much both NBA bottom feeders have in common. They are on a collision course heading toward the league's draft lottery next month. There is also much work to be done on both sides in order to restore respectability, too, considering their relative dramatic falls from grace over the past two seasons. As both teams look forward to the June draft, there is a consensus building around the league that if Miami -- owners of the NBA's worst record -- grab the No. 1 overall pick, it will snare Memphis point guard Derrick Rose. The Grizzlies, however, don't share those odds and their offseason wish list is viewed as considerably longer. Head coach Marc Iavaroni's stated goal is to add outside shooting. From there, the consensus building in the organization centers on another important ingredient. "Defensive toughness," Iavaroni said. "Overall toughness," added veteran swingman Mike Miller. Second-year forward Rudy Gay put a creative spin on it. "We need somebody to be that marshall (an intimidator in the paint)," Gay said. Iavaroni's hopeful that the Griz can satisfy both needs with one player. The Griz would serve themselves well with the addition of a perimeter scorer who is a tough defender and able to spell both forward positions. "If you can get a guy that can do both it'd be wonderful," Iavaroni said. "You look at a guy like Bruce Bowen (of San Antonio). He can make threes, and he's also a great defender. I don't want to get into names. I only threw him out there because he doesn't fall into that (draft) category. We need someone who has toughness and who has been in a winning program. Someone people respect in the locker room and on the floor." The Grizzlies haven't faired well in defending the paint, and they also rank in the bottom fourth in offensive rebounding. Memphis is the third-worst team in points allowed (106.8), and allows the league's highest field goal percentage at .480. "We've got to get some bigger bodies," Iavaroni said. "We can hopefully get some guys in who can play the four and three. We'd like to sign Marc Gasol so that takes care of a need at five. ... Defense is what you connotate with toughness. But obviously, there's mental toughness on offense -- being able to take a hit and score or get to the line." Gay, who is on pace to become the third Grizzly to average 20 points in a season, is an advocate of more individual scoring. Iavaroni concurred, adding that another three-point threat would take pressure off the need for Gay to launch so many shots from long range. "We need another scorer and rebounding big man," Gay said, acknowledging the difficult adjustment that's happened with the loss of low-post scoring in Pau Gasol. "We need someone else who is a scoring threat, whether it's down low or on the perimeter. We're hoping we can get one of these guys in here to work on their game. We have talent. "As for toughness, it isn't where you grow up. It's a mentality. It's a mindset. As soon as you win games you become tougher and you expect more out of each other. Confidence breeds toughness." Miller, who has been through different rebuilding phases with the Griz, said one or two players can make a difference. He recalled the leap that the Hubie Brown-led Grizzlies made from 28 wins to 50 in one season with the addition of specialists. For example, James Posey and Earl Watson weren't marquee names, just players who didn't mind a lot of bump and grind. "There are a lot of things we need to touch on," Miller said. "Whenever you win 21 games there are a lot of things you need. But I think we're a lot closer than our record shows. "We're young. The offseason will be big for a lot of our games. There are few pieces to fill in. We'll see what happens."</div> http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/...es-in-08-draft/
