in NBA Articles

Grizz need Gasol back

After showing improvement the last couple of seasons, the Memphis Grizzlies are looking for nothing less than a first-round playoff victory.

However, accomplishingthat task in the ultra-competitive western conference will be easier said than done – especially with the Grizz beginning their season with their best player, forward, Pau Gasol out for at least the beginning part of the season after breaking a bone in his foot in the semifinals of the World Championships a few weeks back.

With Gasol out, the Grizzlies chances of winning some early games in an effort to set themselves up for a better seeding come playoff time, are going to take a serious hit.

Here’s the skinny on the Grizzlies for the upcoming 2006-07 season.

Point Guard

The Grizzlies are going to start Damon Stoudamire once again at the point, and when he’s healthy, Stoudamire is still a solid player. Veteran, Chucky Atkins is also fairly solid, but can run hot and cold at times. Youngsters, Junior Harrington and Kyle Lowry, should see some meaningful minutes this season and have a chance to make their respective marks over the next couple of years.

Shooting Guard

I don’t care what the detractors of Eddie Jones may say. I’ve enjoyed watching the multi-faceted Jones play both ends of the floor ever since he played for my main man, John Chaney at Temple University in my native Philadelphia. No, Jones isn’t going to score 40 on anyone, but he is a 15-plus point per game scorer who also plays excellent defense and typifies the selfless all-around types of players that Chaney routinely produced at Temple. The athletic Dahntay Jones will back up his brethren of the same surname and will hopefully begin to show some consistency to go along with all that talent.

Small Forward

I really like the way designated outside sniper Mike Miller has developed as a player over the years. Not only is Miller still an excellent shooter from the outside, but he has also develop a better awareness of when to let it fly and doesn’t jack up half as many wild threes as he did a couple of years ago. The Grizzlies may have also landed a future star in former Connecticut Huskie, Rudy Gay, whom they acquired on draft night by trading veteran, Shane Battier. Gay could turn out to be the next Scottie Pippen or the next Joe Smith. We shall see.

Power Forward

With Gasol out, or, more likely, not at full strength, at the beginning of the regular season, former Syracuse U. star, Hakim Warrick, a player I liked coming out of last year’s draft, will get an opportunity to show what he can do at the next level, as will another talented young player, Lawrence Roberts. If ether of these two young players can step up and take their respective game to another level, the Grizzlies will be that much better off in the long run.

Center

The Grizzlies could be in trouble here if Stromile Swift reverts back to the docile demeanor he is apt to display at any moment. On the other hand, Swift could cause a lot of centers problems with his athleticism and quickness at his size. It’s going to be interesting to see which Swift shows up. Backup Jake Tsakalidis is a big body if nothing else.

Eric Williams is a syndicated columnist and can be heard every Wednesday at 3:15pm EST on www.BetUSradio.com. You can contact Eric at eklass66@yahoo.com.