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The Grizzlies withstand a 44-point barrage by Kobe to defeat the Lakers

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Two is definitely better than one.

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    Posted 2/01 at 10:31 PM

    A hot dog at a baseball game. A dip in the pool after cutting the grass. Varsity Blues coming on TNT on a Saturday afternoon when you have nothing to do. Life is full of simple pleasures. I’m not sure where beating Kobe Bryant and the Lakers falls on the list for you, but I’d put it near the top. Drink it in Grizzlies fans, for not all victories taste this sweet.

    Kobe was on fire in the first half, scoring 29 points. His final stat line is beyond impressive: 16-28 from the field, 4-7 from 3-point range, 8-13 from free throws, 44 points. But it wasn’t enough. Even the best player in basketball, playing one of his better games, couldn’t will his team to victory over the Grizz.

    Zach Randolph made a miracle desperation heave to go along with key rebounds and clutch free throws. Local product Lester Hudson came out of nowhere and tossed in a couple of 3-pointers en route to 13 points in 12 minutes. Marc Gasol outplayed his older brother Pau. Rudy Gay had a ho-hum 25 points and the all-important late minute trey.

    If the Saints have coined “who dat?” then the Grizzlies should coin, “who knew?” Who knew this team would be 26-21 at this point in the season? Who knew Zach Randolph would be an All-Star? Who knew the Grizzlies would set a franchise record with 11 straight home wins? Who knew the Grizzlies would topple some of the giants of the NBA like the Lakers, Cavs, Nuggets and Spurs?

    Each victory wins over a few more people. Each time the Grizzlies take down another one of the NBA behemoths, another fan jumps on the bandwagon, another national pundit lauds the teams praises. Just today I was reading an ESPN.com chat with NBA writer Chris Sheridan where he said, multiple times, “Beware the Grizz.” ESPN.com stats guru John Hollinger was at the game tonight. Think he came away impressed?

    This season will still have its ups and downs. For every big victory, there are still losses like Saturday night’s game vs. the Hornets. It’s a process. It’s been a process from the moment Shane Battier was traded for Rudy Gay till the moment Zach Randolph donned Beale Street Blue. It was all leading to something. Tonight, it led to a victory over the defending champs. Who knew?

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    Chris Avis was a pivotal ball boy for the Grizzlies during the playoffs of 2004 and 2005. During that time he delivered nachos to Zach Randolph, folded Steve Nash's warmups, threw a towel to Kobe Bryant and was scolded by Baron Davis. His crowning achievement was when Karl Malone called him "Big Man." He now serves as the fan blogger for the Grizzlies and is one half of the writing team at Rocking the Suburbs.

    Disclaimer: All opinions expressed by Chris Avis are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. Note that Chris has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being a Grizzlies fan and NBA accredited member of the media.