Lace up the track shoes. Under Mike Fratello, the Grizzlies averaged 88.2 possessions per game, third slowest pace in the league. They also had the worst record in the NBA.
Under coach Tony Barone, things are different. I’ll let Kevin Pelton explain, in an article from Courtside Times:
In case you’re curious, the Grizzlies have averaged 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes in five games under Barone, up 10.2% from the 88.2 they averaged under Fratello. Their Offensive Rating (points per 100 possessions) has gone from 105.0 to 118.7, their Defensive Rating from 109.6 to 121.2. If maintained over a full season, the Barone Grizzlies would have far and away the league’s best offense and worst defense.
Whatever happened to… Dancing Barry. Ever wonder what happened to the guy in the white tux who danced his way through the Showtime era at the Forum. We’ll, he’s doing well, if a little bitter.
In case you missed it. After the Lakers beat the Nuggets Friday night, George Karl called the Lakers the best passing team in the NBA.
For what it’s worth. These two met way back in the eighth game of the Lakers season, the Lakers winning a grind-it-out game 91-81. Lamar Odom had 20 points on 57.7% (eFG%) shooting, pulled down 16 rebounds and had seven assists. Kobe added 21. Pau Gasol didn’t play.
Because of all the changes, I’m not sure that game means squat tonight.
What to expect tonight. Honestly, I don’t know. I haven’t seen the new-look Grizzlies. On paper, guys like Hakim Warrick and Stromile Swift and Rudy Gay should thrive in the more open, up-tempo system. The Griz have some athletes to start building around (the question is will they change team philosophies again next summer, or in two years).
Memphis is 2-3 since the coaching changeover, with wins over we’ll-run-with-you Toronto and Golden State. The Lakers did a good job slowing the Nuggets in transition (by making shots, pounding the offensive glass then getting back) and they need to do that again tonight.
Pau Gasol is back and in his lat 10 is shooting 60% and is pulling down 6.8 rebounds per game. This will be a good challenge for Bynum defensively, here is a guy who can hit the outside shot (shooting 50% on jumpers) or get some points inside (74.3% close to the basket).
Last meeting between these two Mike Miller led Memphis with 21 points, shooting 71% (eFG%). He’s been a thorn in the Lakers side for a while, so slowing him would be nice.
Luke Walton said it after the Dallas game — the Lakers can beat the Mavs, Suns and Jazz of the world, but to be considered elite they have to stop losing to the Charlottes of the world. This is one of those game, the Lakers can and should win this one.
kwame a. says
I hope we keep Sucky Atkins and Damon Stoudamire out of the lane, that will make this game a lot easier, Denver was the blueprint on how to beat this kind of team, we should win and win big so the starters could rest for the second game of the back to back
Exick says
My only hope for this game is that some miracle has caused Mike Miller to get a haircut. When Scot Pollard can make fun of you for having ridiculous hair, it’s time to get the scissors out.
red 5 says
Awright!
Thanks for the Dancing Barry update, Kurt.
He was part of the Laker lore for us kiddies
watching teevee in the Great Plains in those days.
The Chiefs used to have a similar “organic fan phenom”
who used to beat a small drum ( and occasionally
his own bald head ) to get the Wolfpack howling.
Then he disappeared for a while
and resurfaced in Oakland.
He must have wanted some $$ too.
Dancing girls on the court are all well and good,
but you can’t beat that fan-generated energy
when the crowd starts chanting “M-V-P!” or “Horry!”
That’s what makes you want to go to a game
and get some of that live experience.
I just drove past the ol’ Forum on Sunday,
imagining Inglewood full of fans getting fired up
for the next game.
It’s still a handsome building on the outside.
I’m glad it’s still in use, but I’m sure the ‘Wood
misses all that Laker commerce.
– 5 –
skigi says
I hope the guys are not looking past this game. Even though they have the worst record in the league, they play differently now under Barone. We cant start looking ahead to the Houston game tomorrow and forget to win this one. Everything we accomplished on sunday would be pretty much wasted and we’d have to start over (in a sense). But we shouldnt have a problem with this team. If our gaurds do a good job of attacking the lane we should be fine. Most of us remember how bad Chucky Atkins is at defense. It might not be a coincidence that every team that he has been a starting PG for has been terrible defensively. He gets beat off the dribble all day and causes his bigs to be in foul trouble all game. (see Chris Mihm’s stats from our season with Chucky and see for yourself)
ian says
Yeah, we all criticize the smusher, but memories of Chucky really kill me.
Laker Blog says
Nice blog…would love to get mine as nice some day.
Anyway, I posted on it today that I think the Lakes will dominate tonight. They look like they turned a corner and considering they’re averaging about 117 ppg in the past week or so, this should be a high scoring affair.
Kurt says
Yikes, I’m stuck at work and just saw the score. What the heck happened in the third quarter?!?
CTDeLude says
The Grizz showed PHX how a running team really runs their offense.
CTDeLude says
I think finally, after observing this new era of Lakers (2000 – present) I realize we’ll never tear through a season like some other teams and there’s no point in getting upset about things like this. It’s 1 in 82 and just like everyone was nuts over the Lakers yesterday, they’ll want to sell the whole team tomorrow and then we’ll win against the Rockets and be right back to some incredible championship team..
The life of a Laker fan.
goo says
I wanted a laker victory for my birthday unfortunately..anyways…i’d rather see the lakers beat the good teams and lose to the bad ones all year than the other way around since that’s who they’ll be facing in april when it matters…
Muddywood says
disappointing….disgusting….depressing….
No defense in the 3rd quarter. No BOXING OUT. offensive rebounds KILLED the lakers…AGAIN.
If the Lakers want to make the jump to the so-called
elite teams in the league, the HAVE to start beating
the lesser teams on a regular basis.
Kas says
Guys its my fault the Lakers lost. They had been winning ever since i had not shaved. i shaved yesterday morning and they lost. im sorry.
skigi says
Ouch!!! That one hurt. That may have easily been the most painful quarter of a Lakers game that i’ve seen in a while. Didnt see that one coming. Its okay though, these things happen and championship teams know how to come back stronger the next day and learn from their mistakes. That’s what we’re gonna do. At least we’re learning our lesson now so that we can correct the problem by playoff time.