OT: I will be cheering for Memphis come playoffs

So will I if we make it, but you've been waving the white flag way too many time this season. Don't act like we somehow are gonna jump in the playoffs.

 

Game of the season.

Just because he has his favorite phrases, doesn't mean he's really waving a white flag.

Season over.

 

I like what Memphis has become, too - since the Rudy Gay trade. They were good defensively before the trade, now they are easily the best defensive team in the league. I think they are much better built for post season success now than before the trade. In addition to a huge upgrade defensively, they also have much better ball movement. Gay is a one dimensional chucker who only looks for his own shot.

The ball movement against the Blazers was a thing of beauty. It helps when you have a big man who can pass, but with both Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo gone, Memphis plays a much more team oriented offense now. The ball movement the other night reminded me of the Cleveland Cavaliers of the early 90s. Brad Daugherty was a great passing big man. In 92-93, he averaged 20.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg and 4.4 apg - one of only 7 players to average 20/10/4 over the last 20 years (the others were Barkley, Malone, Larry Johnson, David Robinsion, Chris Webber and Kevin Garnett). That Cleveland team won 57 games one year and 54 the next and led the league in assists by a wide margin in 92-93. They were also 5th in the league in defense, but they couldn't get by the Bulls in the playoffs - no one could back then.

The current Memphis team is better defensively and doesn't pass quite as well, but like those Cavs teams, they are up against a dynasty in the making led by the best player in the game during the prime of his career. Even if the Grizz get out of the West, I don't see them, or anyone else, taking the title from the Heat.

BNM