Posted 11/12 at 7:19 AM
Pete Pranica is the Grizzlies television play-by-play announcer. He and Sean Tuohy make up the broadcast team that hosts Grizzlies Tonight! before each home game.
“Layup Lines” is back with more random thoughts plus a preview of tonight’s game vs. the Knicks.
Well, I survived the longest road trip of the season and finally got caught up (kinda) on sleep. Herewith, random thoughts:
When O.J. Mayo put up a 5-for-20 night in the season opener at Houston, he looked like a gunner. Now, he looks like a savvy professional. Back to back 30-point nights by a rookie in November is pretty solid, even if Phoenix and Denver aren’t the most defensive teams in the league. He did it in a variety of ways with threes and some midrange looks. He’s also a good rebounder in traffic. What is impressing Grizzlies insiders the most is his assertiveness and leadership. Mayo was the guy in the huddle in Phoenix who didn’t think that a 17-point deficit was too much to overcome. So, it looks like the Grizzlies have themselves a legit 20-point guy who can also lead.
Darrell Arthur might have been the steal of the draft. Knocked by some for not always bringing effort, but I can’t see that at all. Maybe he’s carrying a chip on his shoulder, maybe not. We’ll never know because he’s been soft-spoken off the floor and nothing but focused on it. The Grizzlies have been looking for years for a stud rebounder with a little offensive game: Lawrence Roberts, Andre Brown, Alexander Johnson. Finally, they have the real deal.
Mike Conley is so cool and smooth, but he needs to add an element of butt-kicking to his repertoire. That’s what makes Chris Paul so devastating. He’s all smiles and cool and “hey, what’s up” and then he cuts your heart out. Mike has the ability, he just needs to get edgy and play like he believes he’s the best player on the floor.
Have you noticed the silence? No more trashing the Grizzlies for trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers? Reason one: his brother has been effective to varying degrees this season and will get better. Reason two: the Grizzlies have basically added three lottery-level rookies this season while opening cap space for next season (yes, geniuses, I know that Cap Space doesn’t play). Think there might be some veteran free agents that might like to play with O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay and company?
- I’m going to stick with “El Guerrero” for Marc Gasol’s nickname. It’s Spanish for “warrior” and I think it’s the most appropriate moniker, especially the way he played against Shaq Monday night.
- Some on the grizzlies.com message board questioned the quick ejection of Darko Milicic at Golden State. We talked with Darko on the bus after the game and asked him what he had said. It’s not suitable for family viewing and referee Tony Brothers was justified in the ejection based on what Darko said to him. True, the call leading up to the tech was incorrect based on video evidence, but Darko needed to reel in his temper.
- Best investment in a bad market? Quentin Ross. Above-average defender with a serviceable offensive game. Has added toughness and effort to the Grizzlies improved defense.
- You may have heard me mention the Denver PA announcer who announced a Denver foul with sarcasm in his voice because he didn’t think it was a good call. I still don’t think it’s appropriate for the PA announcer to be that emotionally involved in the game. Go nuts when the home team does well, but don’t make the referees look bad. Grizzlies PA voice Rick Trotter wouldn’t do anything like that. Act classy and you’ll be classy (thanks, Crash Davis). And yes, since you asked, I have done PA announcing so I have a first-hand experience.
- Game presentation notes: Rocky, the Denver mascot is one of the best, if not the best. Great actor, comic timing and the ability to hit halfcourt shots and act nonchalant. Then, there’s the game presentation in Phoenix. One word: WOW. Must be fun to live on Planet Orange.
- A little chapped I can’t get Steve Nash to sign a jersey. Steve, I’ll donate to your foundation. Name the amount. I voted for you twice for MVP and no autograph love. It’s not going on E-Bay, just next to Scottie Pippen and Pau Gasol on my wall.
By the way, Nash’s old boss, Mike D’Antoni is in town with the Knicks tonight. A better Knick team (then again, they couldn’t be worse than last season’s motley crew) because D’Antoni has laid down the law. Out of shape Eddy Curry is planted on the bench next to Jerome James. That’s the equivalent of the GNP of Barbados snagging DNPs. Knicks come in at 4-3, but had their three-game winning streak snapped last night in San Antonio. The Knicks beat Utah in NY, so the Knicks have some game thanks to Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph. Key for Memphis is to keep those two guys tied down and for Arthur and Gasol to make sure David Lee doesn’t go wild. This will be a much tougher game than it was last season when Memphis won both games and never trailed in either game. Knick GM Donnie Walsh is trying to rebuild on the fly, but it’s tough because no one wants Zach Randolph (who Walsh would ship), but everyone is demanding Lee (who Walsh wants to keep).
Posted 11/12 at 7:19 AM
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