It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Ball Time

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Carmen Patton

Share the joy

Yes, I know that it’s not Christmas, but if they can put Christmas decorations on display with Halloween costumes in retail stores, I can do a play on words with a Christmas song in October. I get that many of you, probably most of you, are quite engrossed in the football season. That’s cool. Don’t bother me, and I won’t bother you. You go right ahead and watch all the football you want. As for me, though, I’m itching for the NBA season to get started. More specifically, I’m ready for the Memphis Grizzlies’ season to get started.

I’ve compiled a list of things that I’m anxiously awaiting related to the Grizzlies this season. It’s a bit lengthy; so I’ll divide it into two parts. Here goes Part 1…

The Final Roster

While some things have stayed the same and familiar (oh Core Four, how I love thee), there have been some changes. Now, let’s be clear, some changes were bound to happen from last year. After all, we did see 28 men don the Beale Street Blue; yes, TWENTY and EIGHT. But the shake-up in Grizz Nation has been real. We’ve got a new coach (hey my BFF in my head Coach Fizdale), with a new coaching staff, new training and medical staff, and some new looks at FedEx Forum.

Additionally, we’ve got some new (and not so new) faces trying to make their way onto this roster. Coach Fizdale and his staff have about 20+ players that they’ve looked at through training camp and that they’re continuing to look at during preseason action. Some have already been bid adieu while others continue to fight for a place on the 15 man roster. We’ll say goodbye to some more of the faces that we saw through the 3 preseason home games.

I’m seriously waiting impatiently to see if the faces that I want to see make the cut. Perhaps you are too.

What Coach Fizdale Plans for Mike Conley

So, everyone who knows basketball knows and quite a few have talked at length about Conley’s pay day. I won’t do that because the money Conley got won’t hurt or help me any. It also won’t hurt or help you either. What I will talk about is my anticipation to see how Coach Fizdale plans to utilize him.

I knew Coach Fizdale and I would be BFFs when he said something that I’ve been arguing for years: Mike Conley is one of the last few pure point guards. But when he added someone I considered to be a pretty gritty point guard in his day to his coaching staff (Nick Van Exel), I added him to my Christmas card list. See, here’s the thing, it’s time for people to see what I see in Mike Conley.

No, he’s not Steph Curry, or Chris Paul, or Russell Westbrook, or Damian Lillard, or Kyrie Irving…he’s Mike Conley. And that’s perfectly okay. I don’t need him to be any of those people; this team doesn’t need him to be any of those people. All we need to see is the best Mike Conley we’ve ever seen leading and conducting this Grizzlies squad, and I’m hoping Coach Fizdale can bring him out.

ZBo as Sixth Man

So, I was one of those people who acted a MAJOR CLOWN over Coach Joerger taking Zach Randolph out of the starting unit last year. I’m talking acted a real donkey about it. I just didn’t see the need for Jeff Green to be getting that starting spot…point blank, period. Ironically, though, I’m okay with Coach Fizdale’s decision to move ZBo to the 2^nd unit for a few reasons.

First, it puts ZBo in a position to still shine as ZBo. With the arrival of Chandler Parsons in the starting unit, ZBo goes to 4^th option (in my head) on shot making in that line-up. I don’t really like that as an option; most people don’t like that as an option. It was going to become reality though, in my opinion. Secondly, it gives that 2^nd unit a proven shot maker. In the 2^nd unit, he’s your go to guy. We need a bucket…FEED IT TO ZBO. Lastly, with 16 years under his belt in this league, 35 years of age, and my vision of seeing him retire in a Grizzlies uniform one day, it gives his body less wear and tear to press on through a few more seasons. And who among us doesn’t want more quality years of Fiddy for da City?!

While we’re sitting here debating over whether or not it will work, ZBo has gone to work, doing what he does. He’s accepted the role and moved right along. As fans, we’ve got to do the same. We shouldn’t see this as a knock to who he is, but rather as preservation to who they see he can still be.

Big Spain and ZBo Shooting Threes

No, your eyes do not deceive you. Yes, you read that right. I’m looking forward to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph shooting three point shots. This development changes some things for the Grizzlies because they actually look really good shooting them. It doesn’t look awkward or contrived. It doesn’t look pushed or forced. It actually looks rather natural. Now, I’m not saying that they ought to look to shoot them all the time, but when the time is right, and they’re open to do it, shoot it.

Seeing Tony Allen Do Tony Allen Things

Tony Allen has just been kinda hanging on the bench rooting on the others through pre-season. That is actually a Tony Allen thing (you know towel waving, joking and jesting), but not one of the ones I’m longing to see. Back door cutting TA…I want to see him. Stealing TA…I’m looking to see him. Tony Allen is aging as well, but when healthy, he can still put some lock-down, smothering defense on the league’s best players. I’m looking forward to watching him frustrate and annoy the league’s best once again this season.

My list isn’t done. There’s more to this. Stay tuned for Part 2…