Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 13, 2019
Getting to know new Hustle coach Jason March
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports The Hustle’s new coach chats with me about Memphis and the upcoming season With Brad Jones being announced as part of Taylor Jenkins’ staff with the Grizzlies, it opened up the door for the Memphis Hustle to have their 3rd coach in as many seasons. In stepped former Grizzlies assistant Jason March, who spent 9 years in Memphis before tagging along with Dave Joerger for 3 years in Sacramento. Back in Memphis, March has a tall task ahead of him in building off of last season’s success where the Hustle made their first ever playoff appearance and...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 13, 2019
Scouting The Enemy: The Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs’ Future | David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports Getting the drop on the opps Over the past several weeks, we’ve been “scouting the enemy,” as we’ve covered the outlook for the 29 other teams in the league ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Now, for the last one! Cleveland Cavaliers Former Grizzlies: Jarell Martin Team Outlook Let’s take a ride across the country to a place known to many as “The Land” where in just 2016, LeBron James once came from behind 1-3 in the NBA Finals to beat the Golden State Warriors 4-3. This would instantly become one of the greatest...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 12, 2019
Maintaining an International Influence in Memphis
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports As the 2019 FIBA Basketball Championship continues, the Memphis Grizzlies are well represented. For 17 straight years, Grizzlies fans had the privilege of seeing Pau and Marc Gasol be at the center (pun intended) of almost every memorable moment this city has experienced with the Grizzlies. Though both could be polarizing in terms of their style of play, there is no doubt both Gasol brothers are two of the best players in the history of the franchise. A big reason for their success was their passion for basketball and passion for the city of Memphis. That...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 12, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: Chicago Bulls
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Can the young Bulls take a leap this year? Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be “scouting the enemy,” as we’ll be covering the outlook for the 29 other teams in the league ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Chicago Bulls Former Grizzlies: None Offseason in Review The Chicago Bulls didn’t make many splashes like some of their Eastern Conference counterparts — the Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, or Philadelphia 76ers. However, they made some moves that could help accelerate this rebuild to the next step. It all started with the draft, as they...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 11, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: Milwaukee Bucks
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports What to expect from the Bucks and their MVP Milwaukee Bucks Former Grizzlies: Kyle Korver (kind of) Offseason in Review: The fact that the Bucks are currently coming off one of the best seasons in the history of the franchise is little solace to most Bucks fans. A number one seed, the Coach of the Year, and Giannis Antetokounmpo winning the MVP over a certain bearded guard for the Rockets are bittersweet takeaways for a team that accomplished much, but not all that they wanted. This was a team with real championship aspirations and were up 2-0 over the...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 10, 2019
Fits with Jaren and Ja: Kyle Anderson
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports How does SloMo fit in Memphis long term? Over the next several weeks, we’ll be breaking down some young players and their fits next to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, while addressing the likelihood of them being on the next Memphis Grizzlies playoff team. Parker Fleming covered Josh Jackson last week. Next up — Kyle Anderson. Kyle Anderson was the Grizzlies’ biggest free agent signing in 2018 free agency. At 6’9” with a wingspan of 7’3”, SloMo has the length to be one of the premiere defenders in the NBA. Although he doesn’t have much of...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 10, 2019
How to Dominate with the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA 2K20
Photo by Alex Nahorniak-Svenski/NBAE via A small guide in how to destroy your opponents with the Memphis Grizzlies. NBA 2K20 is the hot topic right now, as each new 2K game is the big talk at the initial release. Behind the phenomena of myPlayer and myTeam, the brand of 2K has become wildly popular, adds to the NBA’s year-long buzz. Some people aren’t with the whole myPlayer and myTeam. I understand it, as there’s more to life to it. So, to get away from the stress of life, or to hang out with their friends, one can do a simple quick game or online match-up — not myTeam, pro-Am,...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 10, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: Detroit Pistons
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports Taking a look at Blake and the Other Guys Detroit Pistons Former Grizzlies: None Offseason in Review: After falling to the Bucks in their first playoff appearance since 2015-16, the Detroit Pistons spent what money they could to try to upgrade the roster around Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond to stay competitive in what will be a fascinating Eastern Conference. Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports Their biggest acquisitions of the summer were drafting Sekou Doumbouya with the 15th pick of the 2019 Draft and signing former MVP Derrick Rose to...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 9, 2019
Grizzly Buyout Blues: Memphis says no to Andre Iguodala
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports And good on em’...for now. With training camp approaching, and more and more folks looking ahead to the start of a new season, attention returns to the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies currently have an aging three-time NBA Champion on their rebuilding roster. Andre Iguodala wants out, and after Dwight Howard got that opportunity many thought that perhaps Iggy would be afforded the same opportunity. The thing is though...he’s not getting it. At least not yet. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Grizzlies not only are planning on...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 9, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: Indiana Pacers
Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via After an offseason full of roster turnover, the Pacers remain a true contender in the Eastern Conference. Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be “scouting the enemy,” as we’ll be covering the outlook for the 29 other teams in the league ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Former Grizzlies: None OFFSEASON REVIEW The Indiana Pacers experienced one of the more eventful offseasons in the NBA this summer. That is saying a lot when you consider the amount of moves, big and small, that occurred throughout the Association. Dealing with moves that were...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 6, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: New Orleans Pelicans
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via The Lavar Ball Show has a new home Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be “scouting the enemy,” as we’ll be covering the outlook for the 29 other teams in the league ahead of the 2019-2020 season. New Orleans Pelicans Former Grizzlies: none Offseason Review Hitting the lottery is basically a once in a generation kind of thing. The New Orleans Pelicans hit the lottery not once, but twice in one summer. It all begins with the Pels literally winning the NBA Draft lottery putting them in position to take Zion Williamson, which they...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 5, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: Dallas Mavericks
Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Quick turnaround completed? Dallas Mavericks Former Grizzlies: Delon Wright, Courtney Lee Offseason in Review: It wasn’t that long ago that the Dallas Mavericks were in a very similar, if not identical, position as the Memphis Grizzlies. The franchise star, Dirk Nowitzki, no longer fit into the long-term plans, causing the team to search for the most respectful manner in which to part ways. They had a disappointing 2017-18 season in which they won just 24 games, only two more than the Grizz, and held the #5 pick heading into that...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 5, 2019
Fits with Jaren and Ja: Josh Jackson
Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports Could the former top-5 pick find his niche in Memphis? Over the next several weeks, we’ll be breaking down some young players and their fits next to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, while addressing the likelihood of them being on the next Memphis Grizzlies playoff team. We begin with the most interesting one — Josh Jackson. Coming into the draft, there was a lot to love about Josh Jackson, as teams were vying at the opportunity to trade up for him. He’s a wing with excellent size (6’8” and 6’10” wingspan) and elite athleticism. He had a nice...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 4, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: San Antonio Spurs
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports Death, taxes, and the San Antonio Spurs being good. Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be “scouting the enemy,” as we’ll be covering the outlook for the 29 other teams in the league ahead of the 2019-2020 season. San Antonio Spurs Former Grizzlies: Rudy Gay, DeMarre Carroll, Quincy Pondexter Offseason in Review The San Antonio Spurs didn’t have a splashy summer, but it was kind of meh compared to their Western Conference counterparts. They picked European Luka Samanic with the 19th overall pick, which is totally fine — but probably...
Grizzly Bear Blues Sep 3, 2019
Scouting the Enemy: Houston Rockets
Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Is the Brodie enough to take them to the top? Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be “scouting the enemy,” as we’ll be covering the outlook for the 29 other teams in the league ahead of the 2019-2020 season. Houston Rockets Former Grizzlies: Ben McLemore Offseason in Review The Houston Rockets made a major trade this offseason however, due to the moves by teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and Brooklyn Nets, it can easily be somewhat overlooked. Russell Westbrook was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Houston for Chris Paul,...
