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.
Is It Time For Everyone To Respect The Grizzlies?
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.
You don’t have to tell any of the above points to Straight Outta Vancouver, SB Nation’s Grizzlies blog. Grizzlies fans know. But maybe last night’s win over Cleveland, one of the top teams in the league, will convince the rest of the world.
This game might not have meant that much to the Cavaliers, and I’m not sure if it meant that much to the Grizzlies either. Why? Because it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Grizzlies players already are trusting each other and playing hard for the win.
But to move back to myself, as well as every other Grizzlies fan I can hear the voice of around the world wide web, it meant a lot to us. Why? Because the Memphis Grizzlies are finally starting to prove to everyone else that they’re coming together as a basketball team that demands respect.
Rebuilding isn’t easy — you have to take many baby steps to get to the top. It’s nice to know people might start to realize that Memphis has indeed begun taking those steps.
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