LeBron’s 43 Not Enough As Cavs Lose To Grizzlies In OT

The Grizzlies have been a walking punchline ever since they traded Pau Gasol. Those voices only got louder this season when the Grizzlies traded for Zach Randolph, signed Allen Iverson and drafted Hasheem Thabeet instead of one of the great point guards in last year’s draft.

But here’s the thing: the Grizzlies are actually getting somewhere. No, a 9-12 record is nothing to go crazy about, but for Memphis, it’s a type of respectability the team hasn’t had in a while. The centerpiece of the Gasol deal, Pau’s brother Marc, is blossoming and may be one of the best young centers in the league. Thabeet isn’t producing, but two of Memphis’ recent draft picks — Rudy Gay and O.J. May — are. Randolph has actually been a solid player and a good teammate, while Iverson is gone on his farewell tour in Philadelphia.