Memphis: A team that didnt use injuries as an excuse

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by OSUBlazerfan, May 1, 2011.

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  1. OSUBlazerfan

    OSUBlazerfan Writing Team

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    Their best player gets hurt, but it doesnt bother them. no excuses, they stroll through the first round and onto the second round

    Im just bitter that im watching OKC and Memphis in the second round, and the Blazers are out on vaction already.

    :sigh:
     
    OSUBlazerfan, May 1, 2011
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  2. julius

    julius Living on the air in Cincinnati... Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Zach Randolph got hurt? Because Rudy wasn't their best player.
     
    julius, May 1, 2011
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  3. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    knock knock
     
    3RA1N1AC, May 1, 2011
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  4. XXPrimusXX

    XXPrimusXX Pointless Avatar Picture!

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    Who's there?
     
    XXPrimusXX, May 1, 2011
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  5. VanillaGorilla

    VanillaGorilla Well-Known Member

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    As julius said, Zach is their best player. Their regular season record was even better without Gay. Without Gay, Allen, Battier, and Young play more. They actually play defense and hustle. Gay is just Travis Outlaw on steroids.
     
    VanillaGorilla, May 1, 2011
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  6. julius

    julius Living on the air in Cincinnati... Staff Member Global Moderator

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    is it wrong that I'm happy the Thunder lost game 1?
     
    julius, May 1, 2011
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  7. XXPrimusXX

    XXPrimusXX Pointless Avatar Picture!

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    Nope. It was great to see those chuckers get outclassed.

    Oh, and by the way, the Blazers never used injuries as an excuse either.

    Portland wouldn't have even made the Playoffs if they did.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2011
    XXPrimusXX, May 1, 2011
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  8. Minstrel

    Minstrel Top Of The Pops Global Moderator

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    It's a good thing they didn't use injury as an excuse, since Rudy Gay was tremendously overrated. He's a good player, but not even a star let alone a superstar.
     
    Minstrel, May 1, 2011
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  9. PapaG

    PapaG Banned User BANNED

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    I hope Memphis sweeps OKC. I like how they play, and it's nice seeing Zach finally become a franchise player, instead of only being paid like a franchise player. Plus, Marc Gasol's game is evolving to the point that I thought a bigger version of Pau was on the court at times.
     
    PapaG, May 1, 2011
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    chris_in_pdx likes this.
  10. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    to.
     
    3RA1N1AC, May 1, 2011
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  11. XXPrimusXX

    XXPrimusXX Pointless Avatar Picture!

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    "to" who?
     
    XXPrimusXX, May 1, 2011
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  12. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    to whom
     
    3RA1N1AC, May 1, 2011
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  13. 3RA1N1AC

    3RA1N1AC 00110110 00111001

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    not at all, i hope they get swept, and never win another game
     
    3RA1N1AC, May 1, 2011
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  14. chris_in_pdx

    chris_in_pdx OLD MAN

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    I totally agree with this.
     
    chris_in_pdx, May 1, 2011
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  15. BlazerBeav

    BlazerBeav Well-Known Member

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    I hardly think the loss of Rudy Gay even remotely compares to losing Greg Oden AND Brandon Roy, but that's just me.
     
    BlazerBeav, May 1, 2011
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  16. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    Losing Rudy Gay is the REASON they made the playoffs. Not just because he's a Shareef-style all-numbers-no-substance player, but because they traded for Shane Battier and gave Tony Allen more minutes, thereby making their defense AWESOME, and made their offense totally about the low post.

    I'm happy for Memphis! We've got the Lionel Hollins connection, plus not only did we draft Randolph, but Dorrell Arthur as well!
     
    Rastapopoulos, May 1, 2011
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  17. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    He's like Allen Iverson in his declining years - only useful if he's used as a volume shooter, but actually the team would be better by spreading the offense.
     
    Rastapopoulos, May 1, 2011
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  18. BLAZER PROPHET

    BLAZER PROPHET Well-Known Member

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    This.
     
    BLAZER PROPHET, May 1, 2011
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  19. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    When Gay played his last game Feb. 15, Memphis's record was 31-26 (.544). They ended at 46-36 (.561). So without him they went 15-10 (.600).

    Not a lot of difference, easily ascribable to end-of-season pressure. When he went down, their 4 game winning streak ended. They were half a game behind 8th-place Utah, but everyone knew Utah couldn't last with Sloan gone.

    So it's not true that Memphis made the playoffs because Gay got hurt, even if his absence improved the team. As for his injury causing the Battier-for-Thabeet trade 9 days later at the trade deadline, that trade was already in the works.

    Go Zach! Beat Clay Bennett!
     
    jlprk, May 1, 2011
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  20. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    So: they built their team with Gay as the leading scorer, he goes down, they have to change their plans fairly radically (which we can assume means some growing pains and some understandable losses)... and they STILL have a better record without him? Wow.

    Okay, I'll give you that given that you're conceding the bigger point.

    Wow, I wish I had your inside sources.
     
    Rastapopoulos, May 1, 2011
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