Memphis Grizzlies' Darrell Arthur Out For The Season

By: Tyler Ward

It has been reported Tuesday that Grizzlies power forward Darrell Arthur will miss the entire 2011-12 season due to an Achilles injury. An MRI exam yesterday confirmed that Arthur has suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and will be forced to have surgery, thus making him miss the upcoming season.

Arthur was reportedly hurt in practice on Sunday and will have surgery within the next seven days, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.

Considered to be undersized, the 6'9" power forward played in 80 games last season, averaging career-highs in points per game (9.1), minutes played (20.1 per game), field-goal percentage (49.7 percent) and free-throw percentage (81.3 percent). He also averaged 4.2 rebounds per game for the Grizzlies last season.

Over his career, Arthur has averaged 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and .7 blocks per game. He has also played in 188 games, with 73 starts, while averaging 18.8 minutes per game and shooting 46.8 percent from the field.

The former Kansas Jayhawk was drafted with the 27th overall selection by the New Orleans Hornets and on draft day, was consequently sold to the Portland Trail Blazers. On the same day, Arthur was part of a three-team deal that sent him to Memphis, while the Rockets traded the rights to Nicolas Batum to Portland -- the Grizzlies also dealt Donte Greene and a 2009 second-round pick to Houston, while the Rockets traded Joey Dorsey to Portland.

Arthur's injury leaves a widening gap on the Grizzlies' roster, as it leaves the team with just Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Brian Skinner and Walter Sharpe in the frontcourt.

It appears that the Grizzlies will now try to acquire a big man through free agency or a trade, as the bench is rather limited. It is apparently clear that Skinner and Sharpe, if they even make the final cut, cannot handle the load off of the bench and there is no possible way that Randolph and Gasol will be able to play 48 minutes per game.

So this leaves the Grizzlies with a tough question even though their season starts in less than a week.

Current free agent big men include players such as former first-round selections Hilton Armstrong, Ike Diogu, and Alexis Ajinca, Samuel Dalembert, Erick Dampier, Dan Gadzuric, Chuck Hayes (who was released by Sacramento a few days ago), Ryan Hollins, Kris Humphries, Solomon Jones, Leon Powe, Joel Przybilla, Etan Thomas, Theo Ratliff and Yi Jianlian.

It should become abundantly clear to the Grizzlies' front office that they need to sign one of these players or make a trade elsewhere because they are not going to able to make it through a 66-game season with bench players like Brian Skinner and Walter Sharpe.

It seems likely that the Grizzlies should be able to sign players such as Ryan Hollins, Hilton Armstrong, Ike Doigu or Erick Dampier -- simply because they would likely accept a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum, which is just a shade over $1 million.

And the Grizzlies will make a frontcourt move if they want to repeat the season last year when they fell just one game short of making the Western Conference Finals. It's a shame that Arthur won't be a part of their plan this season, especially after he became perhaps the Grizzlies' most consistent player off the bench last season -- Arthur also succeeded in the playoffs for the Grizzlies last Spring, averaging 7.1 points per game in 15.5 minutes per contest.

Over the next few days or upcoming weeks, watch for the Grizzlies to make a frontcourt acquisition after Darrell Arthur went down.

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. San Antonio Spurs (Game 1) 4/17/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Congratulations to the Memphis Grizzlies on their first postseason victory in franchise history with their 101-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol were huge for the Grizzlies, combining for 49 points and 23 rebounds in the win.

Memphis was previously 0-12 in the playoffs in their three previous trips.

This is their first postseason appearance since the 2005-06 season.

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Los Angeles Clippers 4/13/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Can The Grizzlies Win Their First Ever Playoff Games Against The Spurs?

By: Tyler Ward

There are two teams in the entire NBA that have never won a playoff game: the Charlotte Bobcats (0-4) and the Memphis Grizzlies (0-12).

The sheer fact alone that the Grizzlies have been around for eight more years than the Bobcats is astounding. The Grizzlies have been given ample opportunity to win one playoff game, but push comes to shove and they can't seem to close the deal.

But now, for the fourth time in franchise history, the Grizzlies are back in the postseason.

They sealed the eighth seed with their loss to the Clippers on Wednesday and will now take on the injury-prone San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.

This may be the best shot the Grizzlies have at finally winning a playoff game.

But let's reverse in time for a second.

For three straight seasons, the Grizzlies advanced to the postseason (2003-06) and got swept by the Spurs, Suns, and Mavericks, respectively.

Despite winning zero out of twelve games, those three seasons were arguably the best ones in franchise history. In that span, their record was 144-102.

In the seasons since, the Grizzlies have amassed a 108-220 record (excluding this season).

To put it simply, that isn't going to get you very far. The only good thing (and I use that term lightly) is that their failures have led to early draft selections, although a couple haven't turned out as well as they had hoped. (Anyone seen Hasheem Thabeet?)

There were high hopes entering this season, as the Grizzlies compiled a 40-42 record last season, narrowly missing out on the postseason.

Owner Michael Heisley and Co. used their first-round draft selections on Kansas guard Xavier Henry and Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez. They also acquired former fan favorite Shane Battier from Houston at the trade deadline and signed defensive stud Tony Allen to a three-year deal during free agency.

The acquisition of Battier alone may have helped the Grizzlies more than imaginable, as he has added veteran leadership and good defense to a young and athletic team.

Allen, consistently one of the best players on the team this season, has provided more defense to the team, along with postseason success, as he won a championship with the Celtics in the 2007-08 season.

The Grizzlies have also gone through their fair share of rough patches this season - O.J. Mayo's suspension, along with being benched, former No. 2 overall selection Hasheem Thabeet being traded, and most importantly, Rudy Gay's season-ending shoulder injury.

But they always managed to stay in games and occasionally, win them. They have overcome many weaknesses and have become a postseason team for the first time since 2005-06.

So the question remains: can the Grizzlies win just one playoff game this season?

I honestly think they can and I'm not just saying that because I'm a Grizzlies fan.

A lineup of Mike Conley Jr., Tony Allen, Sam Young, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol is possibly better than the lineups of the postseason teams earlier this decade. Not to mention, they have players such as O.J. Mayo, Shane Battier, and Most Improved Player candidate Darrell Arthur coming off the bench.

Taking a look at their last postseason team (2005-06), the roster favors this season's Grizzlies: Pau Gasol (80 starts), an aging Eddie Jones (75 starts), Shane Battier (81 starts), Chucky Atkins (39 starts), Lorenzen Wright (58 starts), Damon Stoudamire (27 starts), and Jake Tsakalidis (19 starts).

Throw in random players such as Bobby Jackson, Mike Miller, Hakim Warrick, overpaid Brian Cardinal, Antonio Burks, and Lawrence Roberts and in my opinion, this year's roster is way better, albeit Rudy Gay's injury.

What's the main difference between the two rosters? Defense.

Even though Battier was on both teams, his defensive abilities may be even better this season. He is perhaps one of, if not the best, outside defender. Allen, a perennial top defender, can lockdown opposing team's best guards and forwards.

Conley also reeks havoc on defense and is among the NBA's elite in steals.

Zach Randolph is also one of the best rebounders in basketball, as he is a constant double-double threat night in and night out. With the younger Gasol by his side, that makes him even better. Like Z-Bo, Gasol is also a double-double threat every night.

The Grizzlies are also one of only two teams in the entire NBA that have two players ranked in the top ten in steals per game (Allen, 5th, and Conley, 6th). The Hornets would be the other team (Paul, 1st and Ariza, 9th).

Players such as the five above would only do better in the postseason, as every thing is on the line, especially Battier and Allen, who have postseason experience.

The best thing the Grizzlies have going for them right now is that the Spurs are weak, having been rattled with injuries to some of their best players.

It may have just gotten worse for the Spurs, as Manu Ginobili went down with an elbow inury against the Suns on Wednesday. Ginobili went down hard, after colliding with Grant Hill and laid on the court, in obvious pain, for several minutes.

He immediately headed to the team's bench and then went to the team's locker room.

After examination of Ginobili's injury, the team announced that it was a hyperextended right elbow, while the X-rays turned out to be negative. An MRI is scheduled on Thursday when the team returns to San Antonio.

Tim Duncan, who is getting older, went down with a knee injury in late March against the Warriors. He did not play in the last few of San Antonio's games.

He should be healthy for the postseason, but the Spurs can't handle another Duncan injury.

However, these injuries could lead to the Grizzlies upsetting the Spurs for a rare postseason win or two.

Age also qualifies as a downfall for the Spurs, as their roster is filled with older players.

Antonio McDyess, who will see a decent amount of playing time, is one of the oldest players in the league and he may not be able to handle younger and more athletic players such as Gasol and Randolph.

To put it frankly, this is the Grizzlies' best shot to win a postseason game and there is always that slim chance that the Grizzlies could even upset the Spurs in the first round, as the two teams split their season series, 2-2.

Only time will tell, as the postseason is right around the corner.

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Portland Trail Blazers 4/12/2011 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Darrell Arthur Slams Home One-Handed Alley-Oop

By: Stephen Patterson

New Orleans Hornets Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4/10/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Congrats to the Grizzlies for thrashing the Hornets 111-89 and moving into a tie with them in the standings.

While New Orleans owns the tie breaker due to a better divisional record, they better keep an eye over their shoulders down there because Memphis is burning hot and could easily pass them if they drop one of their remaining games.

Do you think the Memphis Grizzlies could make some noise in the postseason this year?

Let us know below the video how many games you think they will win in the playoffs.

Sacramento Kings Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4/8/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Congrats to the Memphis Grizzlies for locking up their fourth postseason appearance in franchise history.

NBA Spotlight: Zach Randolph (Video)

By: Stephen Patterson

Los Angeles Clippers Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4/5/11 (Highlights + Game Notes)

By: Stephen Patterson

Just a couple of quick notes on this game since I was in attendance:

The referees completely ruined the ending of this game in the final seconds.

Not only should the Clippers have turned the ball over due to a shot clock violation, but Eric Bledsoe also plowed over Tony Allen in the process.

Following that mistake, in which the refs decided there should be a jump ball, they blew another call when they failed to call a foul on Shane Battier after they lost the jump.

With a little over two seconds left, Battier clearly makes contact with with Mo Williams' ankle trying to draw a foul, however, the refs decided not to use the whistle on that one.

There is nothing more I hate about NBA officiating than when they don't call fouls when a player is trying to foul someone.

What do they need to do to get a call when they are trying to get one as fast as possible short of tackling the guy with the ball?

Clearly diving into someone's legs doesn't get the call.

It's ridiculous.

Beyond the blown calls at the end, the rest of the game was pretty awesome.

Seeing Blake Griffin in person was completely mind-blowing and I would recommend that every basketball fan make an effort to see him play next season.

Seriously, if you only attend one game next season, make it a Clippers game (only if Griffin is healthy and playing).

He's that impressive to witness play in person.

My friend Madisyn and I had seats that were about ten rows from the court and I've never had more fun at a game.

Literally, every time Griffin touched the ball in a position that even remotely looked as if it could lead to a dunk, you could just sense the energy level in the arena rise a little.

While he only had one really impressive dunk during the game, Sam Young and Tony Allen more than made up for it with a pair of nasty dunks in the second half.

I expect the Grizzlies will come out swinging on Friday night at home against the Sacramento Kings after the questionable ending to this one and also with a chance to lock up a playoff seed on the line.

Anyway, on to the highlights:



Do you think the refs got the call(s) right at the end or do you think they robbed the Grizzlies of a potential victory?

Let us know below.

A Look Back: Tyreke Evans Grizzlies Pre-Draft Workout

By: Stephen Patterson

I will never be able to understand how Chris Wallace and Michael Heisley could have possibly blown the 2009 NBA Draft as bad as they did.

Not only did they think it would be a good idea to select Hasheem Thabeet in the lottery, who at the time had zero offensive skill (which remains unchanged to this day), they did so with the second overall pick.

Obviously, Blake Griffin was already off the board, but take a look at some of the players the Grizzlies could have landed instead of Thabeet: James Harden, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Brandon Jennings, Jrue Holiday, and Ty Lawson.

How could Heisley and Wallace pass on those names for Thabeet? Especially Evans.

Evans, who played his one year of college basketball at the University of Memphis, would have not only helped boost local interest in the Grizzlies, but also could have potentially put the Grizzlies over the top.

Just sit back and imagine this line-up for a moment: Evans, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol.

Then, off the bench, Memphis still would have Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Darrell Arthur, Sam Young, etc.

Not only could that have given Memphis one of the most well-rounded starting line-ups in the Western Conference, it potentially could have made them contenders in the West.

Just watch this pre-draft workout video from when Evans worked out for Memphis prior to the draft and try to find an explanation that makes sense as to why the team took Thabeet over Evans.

I don't think I will ever be able to find a reason to justify perhaps one of the worst mistakes in the history of the Grizzlies' franchise.

Can you?





Bonus Video - Tyreke Evans buries the Grizzlies earlier this season with a 3/4 court buzzer-beater and painfully reminded everyone in Memphis that Heisley & Wallace bombed the 2009 Draft.

A Look Back: Fight Between Orlando Magic & Memphis Grizzlies (April 2010)

By: Stephen Patterson

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4/2/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Memphis Grizzlies Vs. New Orleans Hornets 4/1/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

Golden State Warriors Vs. Memphis Grizzlies 3/30/11 (Highlights)

By: Stephen Patterson

A Look Back: Chicago Bulls Vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Full Game Video) 3/25/11

By: Stephen Patterson

Missed the Grizzlies/Bulls game from the other day?

Watch it here:

San Antonio Spurs Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Highlights (March 27, 2011)

By: Tyler Ward

 The Tim Duncan-less Spurs traveled to Memphis on Sunday to take on the surging Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis, currently in eighth place in the West, has been a great team as of late, going 6-4 in the last ten games.

It was a close game the entire way until the Grizzlies pulled away in the last remaining minutes to win the game, 111-104.

Tony Allen, one of the most over-achieving players for the Grizzlies, tallied 23 points for the up-and-coming team. He also added five steals and four rebounds to his total.

 Zach Randolph also added 23 points and 11 rebounds to conserve yet another double-double.

Mike Conley added 12 points, while Marc Gasol compiled 11 points and 8 rebounds. O.J. Mayo also scored 17 points in the win.

As of right now, if things stay the way they are, the Grizzlies will be the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs and who will they be facing? Those very same Spurs.

The Spurs were without Duncan, who sprained his ankle a few games ago. The Spurs were also without Manu Ginobili for most of the second half, as he suffered a quad contusion.

Ginobili finished the game, while playing 19 minutes and scoring just two points on 1-for-3 shooting.

George Hill was the lone bright spot for the Spurs, as he scored 30 points off the bench, including 9-for-12 shooting and 11-for-12 from the free throw line.

Point guard Tony Parker added 20 points, along with six assists and three rebounds.

Richard Jefferson scored 13 points, along with rookie Gary Neal scoring 11. No other Spur scored in double-digits.

The Grizzlies are now five games above .500, sitting at 41-36, while the Spurs slip down to 57-16.

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay's Season Over, Is the Team's Season Over Too?

By: Stephen Patterson

When Rudy Gay went down with a separated left shoulder, at first I thought the season as well as the Grizzlies' postseason hopes had collapsed along with him.

Then after a few games had passed with Gay on the sidelines, I realized something: Memphis was still winning games without their star player.

Not only have the Grizzlies continued to win games, they have been winning against some of the top teams in the league.

Since Gay's injury, Memphis has victories over the San Antonio Spurs (two), Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Boston Celtics.

After last night's 111-104 victory over San Antonio, coupled with the Houston Rockets falling 125-119 to the Miami Heat, Memphis now holds a two and a half game lead over Houston for the eighth and final playoff seed in the West.

The New Orleans Hornets were also crushed 102-84 by the Los Angeles Lakers, narrowing their lead over the Grizzlies to just one game for the seventh seed.

Considering the Hornets also recently lost one of their best players to injury, with David West being lost for the season with a torn ACL, Memphis could very likely pass the Hornets in the standings over the final few weeks of the regular season.

The teams have two games remaining against each other in the regular season, with the first being April 1st in New Orleans, followed by a rematch April 10th in Memphis.

Those two games will be vital for the Grizzlies, as they would likely end up passing New Orleans in the final standings with two head-to-head wins if both teams continue playing at their recent levels.

Both teams have been 6-4 over their last ten games.

Memphis has replaced Gay's production by committee for the most part, with Tony Allen, Sam Young and Shane Battier all playing vital roles for the Grizzlies since the injury occurred.

Allen, in particular, has been playing an extremely high level and has arguably been the team's best all-around player during their recent run.

Over the past ten games, Allen has averaged 14.5 points, four rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.6 steals per contest while shooting at a rate of 58% from the floor.

According to ESPN.com, he also has a PER of 18.66, which is seventh best in the league among shooting guards and is tied for 49th overall in the league in player efficiency ratings.

Battier has also been huge since Memphis brought him back to the team through a deadline deal with the Rockets.

He was a major contributor when the Grizzlies made three consecutive trips to the postseason from 2003-06, and it appears likely he will help lead them back for the first time since then.

If everyone continues to play at their recent high levels for the Grizzlies, Memphis should lock up one of the last two playoff spots in the West ahead of the Rockets and/or Hornets.

Not only do I think Memphis will secure one of the last playoff spots, but I also think they have a chance to score a few victories over the Spurs or Lakers, whichever team the Grizzlies end up being paired against.

If the season ended today, the team would be matched up with San Antonio, whom the Grizzlies split their season series with two victories for each team.

Memphis has won the past two match-ups between the teams, meaning they should be feeling pretty good about their chances if they meet again in a few weeks.

Definitely keep your eyes open for Memphis to not only make it to the postseason without Gay, but also to do a little bit of damage while they're at it.

Rudy Gay's Game-Winner Over LeBron James & The Heat (Video)

By: Stephen Patterson

This is part of a series of Rudy Gay's biggest moments, including game-winning shots, thunderous dunks and amazing plays in general.

This one just so happens be the shot that sunk LBJ and the Heat at the FedEx Forum earlier this season.

Let us know if this was your favorite play from Rudy Gay in the comment section below, and if it's not, let us know what is so we can get it posted.

Rudy Gay Hits From An Impossible Angle (Video)

By: Stephen Patterson

Check out this amazing over-the-backboard shot by Rudy Gay during the 2007-08 season against the New York Knicks.

What's your favorite NBA shot/dunk by Rudy Gay? Let us Know in the comments section.