All Heart Blog Chat: Part 2
Part 2 of the our blog chat from the ladies of All Heart. Let’s get it started:
1) What are your thoughts on the Jeff Green trade?
Jill Kong
The way Jeff Green is playing for Grizzlies has greatly exceeded my expectation, especially his fit with the existing system. Prior to his debut, there were mentions that his ability to slash and his athleticism could help Grizzlies. While I agreed to that, I just didn’t believe that adding another guy with ball in his hand would be feasible and efficient given that Grizzlies had been building a well-working system with Conley feeding our two star bigs inside. Adding a slasher into the mix would mean reducing of usage rate for two bigs and letting someone else make decisions on the perimeter with clock ticking. And that strategy didn’t work out in the past, not for James Johnson, not for Rudy Gay. Even though some say that the new Rudy Gay of this year would’ve work well for the Grizzlies, but I don’t agree to that as Rudy still takes up as high as 26.3 usage rate and only converts 41% of his long 2s, similar to his struggling years in Memphis.
Jeff Green, who served as primary ball-handler for Celtics, could’ve end up the same way Rudy did. But he quickly inserted himself to a paint-oriented team and has taken more than half of his shots inside 10 feet range while taking up only 13.4 usage rate. The big Green machine in Memphis is not a comparison to Rudy Gay; if anything, he is what Grizzlies wanted Rudy to be 3 years ago.
As for his price, there can be further discussion on that in the future, as Grizzlies gave up a future first round that nobody would have any idea what range that’ll be in. It could be a late first pick that Grizzlies would gladly gave up for Green’s service if the team stays competitive in the long run; or it could be a lottery pick since the protection detail on that pick wasn’t reported fully. If Jeff Green stays helpful for Grizzlies, they can even try to keep him for extended years since the team has his bird right. That would make the deal seems even sweeter.
Jennifer Conroy
Jeff Green was an imperative add to the Grizzlies line-up. The Grizz management has pursued him since last year when the team traded for Courtney Lee. The circumstances did not come together to make that a reality until now. While Green is not the go to shooter that many had hoped for, he does add depth and substance to the floor. He adds versatility to the line-up, allowing rotations to stretch and flow. His athleticism is incredible, and as his comfort within the line-up increases, we will see more off his aggressive tenacity at the rim. Where we need him at the perimeter and we need him to be consistent. Think Vinsanity of 10 years ago. Jeff Green also brings a driving work ethic that will serve to inspire the team. His presence on the floor has been felt, while not yet dominant. Green also has lit a fire under teammate and friend Courtney Lee. He came to WORK, and that’s how we do in the Bluff City. Supreme Jeff Green also has one of the best post slam stare downs in the league.
Caitlin O’Connor
I’m personally excited about the Jeff Green trade. He has an outstanding track record, and I believe he will be a huge asset to the team. The Grizzlies are in desperate need of a forward who can shoot and maintain the momentum throughout the game, Green will hopefully do just that. The Grizzlies have dug deep to find that extra burst of energy in several games this season. Now that Green is on board, he will hopefully be able to keep the team at a more consistent pace and lighten the load. I’m also interested to see how he meshes with the other players, and ultimately what his role will be with the Grizzlies moving forward.
Sharon Brown
I like the Jeff Green trade. He’s a true SF and I especially like when he posterizes folks!! He has had some awesome slams! He is very athletic and can get to the basket with ease. His three point shooting is average but he can’t make jump shots and that’s ok. He’s long and can defend. He’s going to be an important piece come playoff time. Grizzlies doesn’t need him to be the main guy, they need him to be consistent and to be himself. He’s a great addition to the team and fits with the all heart, grit grind mantra. Grizzlies are 15-3 since he’s been here.
Carmen Patton
Ahhh…Jeff Green. Jeff Green has almost seamless meshed into the Grizzlies organization; the team has gone 15-3 since he arrived. What I like most about Green is that he understands his role and stays in his lane. If he needs to take control in a game to create some energy, he does. If space needs to be created, he does. If a rebound needs to be gotten, he goes for it. Yet he understands he’s not the go-to guy like he was in a lot of situations in Boston, and I think he likes that. My biggest concern was team chemistry. The Memphis Grizzlies arguably has some of the best chemistry in the league, and making such a change to the line-up during the franchise’s best season could have easily affected the team’s chemistry. Luckily, it hasn’t. He and Courtney Lee were already very good friends off court, and he’s come right on into the Grizzlies family like a long lost brother. Off court he’s making his way into the Memphis community by visiting LeBonheur and sharing stories of his own heart surgery with cardiac patients there. He’s been an excellent fit for the organization, and a much needed upgrade from where we were.
Tabitha Richard
I will be the first to admit that I was a Jeff Green skeptic. When I heard we were getting him I read too much into what Boston was saying. I didn’t know much about the guy but it seemed to me he was to Boston what Rudy was to the Grizzlies. He shot too much, too inconsistently and didn’t contribute the way he should. Now whether or not all that may have been how it was in Boston, I genuinely couldn’t tell you. However, it’s not how I feel about him here in Memphis. Jeff Green seems to be the cog we were missing, a solid combo forward, who plays hard out of transition and who makes just enough outside shots to clear the lane out and take a little pressure off Lee and Conley. His shooting percentage has dropped since coming to Memphis, going from 43.4% in Boston to 39.3% here. He also went from shooting over 14 shots a game to almost 11. Ultimately I would love to see him boost that percentage back up and knock down more outside shots. However, it seems that Joerger has decided to use him closer to rim, taking pressure off Marc and Zach. Jeff Green seems to just find ways to boost the Grizzlies roster, whether it’s by adding to the team effort with rebounds and assists or being the go-to guy on the fast break. His efficiency rating has improved slightly from Boston and it’s because he has become a real contributor. Jeff Green has filled in when we need him. He’s a gritty player and I like it. Not to mention he has given fans some nasty dunks to get excited about.
Aimee Stiegemeyer
He’s definitely brought some added value to the roster, and his production is greater than what either Tayshaun Prince or Quincy Pondexter had been delivering this season. To be fair, that bar wasn’t set incredibly high, but at any rate Jeff Green has surpassed it.
In the 17 games that Jeff Green has played with the Grizzlies, they’ve gone 15-3, which is pretty close to their record 14-2 start to the season. That period also includes the season high 8 game winning streak, although I wouldn’t say all of that is attributed solely to the addition of Green. He joined the team on the heels of Zach Randolph returning from an injury that had him sidelined for 9 games, and Randolph has played exceptionally well since that return.
I am concerned with Green’s inconsistent shooting the 3 ball, but any concerns I had about possible disruption to the team chemistry have been dispelled, and then some. All in all, I think we made a good move.
Sarah Smith
The Jeff Green trade is probably the power we needed to become true finals-contenders. I think about games like Phoenix on February 2nd, where Jeff Green gets a 3-point play with seconds left, leading to a win after Grizzlies were down by 7. He is a flexible player, and the more he continues to flow with this team, the more of an asset he will be. We got the good end of that deal. Prince and Pondexter were not performing at the level or consistency the Grizzlies needed to make a long playoff push.
2) Tony Allen has been playing out of his mind lately. Is he a better bench player?
Jill Kong
I don’t think it’s necessary to define Tony Allen’s role as that has been the clearest thing for this Grizzlies team for years. He’s a one-on-one defensive specialist who’ll hustle and gamble and make mistakes and fuel up the energy for this team. Dave Joerger loves Tony which means he’ll continue giving TA minutes though risks present. Does it matter where’s Tony gotta keep being Tony, in the starting lineup or on the bench? I don’t think so.
Jennifer Conroy
Last year coming off the bench was rough for Tony Allen, whose play is as emotional as it is skilled. The Grindfather moniker is one he takes seriously, and the demotion to the bench was devastating. However, this year is different. T.A. Has come to the realization that a leader is best utilized at his best, and the Grindfather is in control. Control is key for T.A, and there is no better defenseman than an in control Tony Allen. Control keeps T.A from committing unnecessary foul situations, and from missing uncontested lay-ups. Coming off the bench allows Tony Allen time to control and focus his energy, and his insertion into the line-up comes with clear instruction. He knows exactly where to execute his energy, and he is lethal in shutting down anyone in the league. He knows and accepts his role, and the result is some of the best basketball of his career.
Caitlin O’Connor
Sharon Brown
The Tony Allen Effect has been contagious and the entire bench has bought in. He has turned it up a notch. This season, he doesn’t care if he comes off the bench or start; he just want to win. He has the championship in mind!! It’s one team, one goal. He means so much to this team. When his antennas are up, he will shut the water off on his opponents. Grit and grind started with him and it resonated with the entire team. So, it’s not that he’s a better bench player; he just want to win regardless if he start or come off the bench. His motto is, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish!”
Carmen Patton
I will be the first to admit that I was real adamant about Tony Allen coming off the bench. One, Allen didn’t look good coming off the bench last season after he returned from his injury and Coach Joerger decided to keep Courtney Lee in the starting line-up. So, I really didn’t have a good feeling about him coming off the bench. Secondly, I thought that Courtney Lee or Jeff Green would provide greater scoring power with our bench line up, and I wasn’t hesitant about starting games leaving that defense that Tony Allen brings on the bench. However, he’s really surprised me with the effort he’s bringing and defensive leadership that he’s providing with the second unit. Since he’s been coming off the bench, the second unit has been able to hold their own as a whole better than in the past. Tony Allen is going to do Tony Allen things no matter if he starts or comes off the bench and still plays considerable minutes. It’s good to see him accepting this role and truly living out the One Team, One Goal mindset.
Tabitha Richard
I will be the first to say that TA is a moody player. The idea of him coming off the bench was a little scary to me because we all know he wants to be a starter and how not starting can’t bode poorly for emotionally driven play. We know that Tony isn’t going bring us knock down shooting, he’s no Klay Thompson, but Tony is a scrappy defensive player who just makes things happen. When you talk about a guy with intangibles, Tony is the perfect example. He might miss a wide open layup on a fast break after a steal but he’s going to make it up with a killer block on the other side of the court. I think that Tony was made for the 6th man role. He is able to come off the bench and bring a spark to the court when it is needed. He has a unique opportunity to showcase his talents when he’s coming off the bench. I like Tony coming off the bench because we get optimal flexibility out of him. We can play him starter minutes in a game if “the water needs shut off” or his minutes can be limited if he’s having one of his “trickier” games. Since coming off the bench Tony has averaged 7.5 ppg on 47.5% shooting, including a Brooklyn game where he made every single one of his shots and a Utah game where he didn’t make a single shot. He is still right in line with his season averages. What Tony has done differently is maintained a positive efficiency rating for each game he has come off the bench. He has lowered his turnover rate and is shooting less, especially in the way of jumpers. Tony has always been a good team ball player but being our 6th man just makes him great. Now if we could only get him to make those open layups or just go ahead and dunk the ball!
Aimee Stiegemeyer
I don’t think it has to do so much with being a better bench player than a starter, I think Tony Allen was able to overcome whatever mental hurdle it was that hindered him last season when he was moved out of the starting lineup. Without that holding him back, he is free to be the kind of unpredictably awesome force of nature that he is. Vince Carter called it the Tony Allen Effect during a recent game broadcast, which seems just as good a name as any for the phenomenon that is the Grindfather.
Sarah Smith
Tony Allen plays well in adversity. He always comes in with clutch free throws or crazy steals right when the Grizzlies need them. I don’t know if I would say he is better off the bench than starting, as he is generally getting similar minutes. The whole team is working better together. Tony’s defense is clutch when we have some other players off the bench in. He doesn’t always make the right moves, but he’s an important piece for this team.
3) The Grizzlies are 39-14 at all star break. March is a tough schedule and with 29 games left overall, how many games do you think the Grizz will win?
Jill Kong
If the Grizz goes, 21-8 and makes it 60 wins for the season. There will be 10 games played on their 2nd night of a back to back and the home-road ratio will be 16-13 rest of the way. The opponents that will give this Grizzlies team the hardest times are Rockets, Pelicans, Bulls, Cavaliers, Warriors, Spurs and Thunder. And they will meet Pelicans and Warriors twice. On top of that, Grizzlies had struggled against opponents like Jazz, Bucks and Pacers in the past, while Pacers might also have Paul George back. 21 wins will be extremely hard to pull off, but trying to achieve such a goal could be important not just for home court advantage, but also for getting into a good rhythm going into the postseason.
Jennifer Conroy
If we can keep everyone healthy I feel we’ll go 23-6. I think the push to the play-offs will ramp up the intensity drive. The collective focus should be firmly in place. Grit and Grind has returned and the execution of our defense is tough to beat. While our offensive play has increased, it is our defensive integrity that that will stamp Grit and Grind in championship cement.
Caitlin O’Connor
I’m always optimistic, so I will say that the Grizzlies will walk away with 20 wins.
Sharon Brown
I believe the Grizzlies can win 60 games this season. March schedule is tough but; Grizz can very well go 14-3 or even better. The Grizzlies goal is to be playing in June and I think they will play every game like it’s a playoff game. Grit and grind isn’t just a slogan; it’s who they are. As always, it might not be pretty but it sure will be gritty!!
Carmen Patton
In my best dreams, they would win all 29. We’ve still got some tough games ahead though, so realistically, I’d say at worst 19-10. A 58 win season is nothing to frown at…AT ALL. Either way it goes, we’re in for some good basketball and hopefully a Southwest division title and a real nice championship parade in June…
Tabitha Richard
To say that the Grizzlies have a tough stretch ahead of them is putting it lightly. In the past 53 games the Grizzlies have had 10 back to backs. In the next 29 games the Grizzlies have another 10 back to backs, which means that 10 of the next 29 games will be a dreaded “SEGABABA”. The good news, the Grizzlies went 14-6 in their back to back games so far this season. Our upcoming games won’t be easy. We play the Clippers, the Rockets, the Trailblazers, and the Wizards for some of those second games. It’s going to be a true test of the depth of our bench and our coach. It’s that time of year to gear up for playoffs, which means shorter rotations, but that many back to backs will pose some difficulty. We are going to lose some games but we are also going to have to win some big games too. We will play the Thunder once, the Warriors twice and the Clippers three times. My biggest concern heading into this final stretch of the season is where San Antonio is in the rankings. If the playoffs started tomorrow the Grizzlies would head into Round 1 against the Spurs. I don’t want that. Nobody should want that. The tough schedule the Grizzlies face should allot them enough losses to potentially avoid the Spurs. Let’s just hope the Spurs manage to sneak out a few more wins and climb the rankings, otherwise I’m going to be begging Joerger to tank. To sum up, I say the Grizzlies go 19-10 and finish the season 58-24 but secretly I’m hoping for a 21-8 finish leading to a 60 win season.
Aimee Stiegemeyer
I don’t know if I want to jinx it by trying to guess an exact number. I will say that there is one, maybe two games left that I’m fairly certain we will win. That would be against the Knicks and maybe the Jazz. Every other opponent is one that I know we CAN beat, but we are going to have to put in the requisite effort in each and every one of those games. We were 21-8 for the first 29 games of the season, and I absolutely think it’s possible for us to win at least that many in the last part.
Sarah Smith
This is tough. Coming off the all-star break, a lot of teams will be motivated to push through the 3-7 spots for better positioning for playoffs. While the Grizzlies have a strong hold at the 2 right now, this stretch with many away games will be tough. I predict the Grizzlies will win 21 more games for a final record of 59-23. This is ambitious, and revolves a lot around having a strong winning streak in April, our easiest month moving forward. These next 5 games in February are tough, including the Trailblazers and 2 match-ups against the Clippers. We have to face OKC, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas one more time each, and Portland and Golden State each twice. Those Western conference games will be significant for standing, but the Grizzlies must not let the “easy” wins fall away.
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