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In my Halloween post, I talked about my excitement for the upcoming season.  I am just going to enjoy it while I can, because who knows when I will be excited for an upcoming Grizzlies season again.  Here are 9 reasons why I am excited. (In no particular order)

1.       The Rookies

Carroll and Young have looked better than expected in the preseason thus far.  Even Thabeet has done some things at times that make me smile.  Carroll and Young have been playing so well that many fans want them in the starting lineup.  I have heard lineups like – Mayo, Young, Carroll, Randolph, and Gasol.  Not that I agree with these lineups, but I think all three rookies are going to contribute a lot this year.  And if Rudy keeps up his recent performances he might be looking over his shoulder at Carroll and Young.

2.       Iverson in a Grizzlies’ Uni

Allen Iverson in a Grizzlies’ uniform.  That just sounds crazy.  I am excited to see how this experiment works out this year.  There was a great piece on him last week from Scott Cacciola at the Commercial Appeal.

3.       OJ Mayo’s and Marc Gasol’s development

We might actually see a decrease in both players’ statistics, but I am looking forward to seeing how they have developed their game.  The acquisitions the Grizzlies made this offseason are going to mean fewer touches for Mayo and Gasol.  However, I am still excited to see how Gasol will fair with the weight he loss this offseason.  I also want to see if Mayo has developed a better all around game.  We have seen some flashes from both players in the preseason, but I want to see how they do throughout the entire season.

4.       Up Tempo Offense

It is just going to be more fun to watch.  We have the team for this style of offense.  This is also going to provide more shots for everyone, and that will keep everyone happier.

5.       The Team is Better

There is no question that the Grizzlies have improved from last year.  They made some controversial decisions, but none of them have made them worse than they were last year.  They had a successful draft overall, and their core from last year should so some improvement. 

6.       Randolph is Looking Good
Randolph’s play through the preseason has impressed me.  Not only does he look like he is in better shape, but he is playing hard.  Well, at least hard for Zach Randolph.  As expected, he is putting up some nice stats.  I am excited to seeing him carry this over to the regular season.

7.       Jaric and Milicic are Gone

Adios Marko and Darko.  So, no more Lima.  She was never at games anyways. 

8.       Fans in the Forum

The Grizzlies shot up to top 10 in the league in ticket sales.  Much of this is because of the Iverson signing, but I like to believe that Memphis is excited for the team in general.  The preseason has had the attendance of a Wham! cover band concert, but it is always like that in the preseason.  A packed house every now and then will be beneficial for the players and the city of Memphis.  What is even more exciting is that the Grizzlies can actually compete with everyone they play this year.

9.       It’s Contagious

Everyone is jacked for this year.  When everyone gets excited, it gets me excited.  We actually have something to look forward to.  The 3 year plan might not exactly be on track, but the Grizzlies are going to compete this year.  Heading into the offseason, no one believed that we could possibly make a push for the 8th seed in the playoffs.  That is best case scenario, and pretty doubtful, but it was completely unlikely in June. 
 
 
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The Growl was featured on Yahoo's Ball Don't Lie today.  Just wanted to give them a shout out, and say thanks.  Here is the post that "started" at point guard.
 
 
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The Grizzlies have been busy this offseason.  Chris Wallace, Michael Heisley, and the rest of the Grizzlies’ front office have made more controversial decisions than the BCS.   To get a better sense of how controversial these decisions are, I developed a controversy chart.  There are three levels of controversy.  Examples of level one controversies could be something along the lines of a Judge Judy decision or who was voted off American Idol last night.  A level two controversial decision can be something like choosing to go see The Happening (still regretting) rather than Kung Fu Panda. Level three’s can be something from Obama’s Health Care plan to trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers. 

Now that you have a feel of the controversy chart we can rank some of the Grizzlies’ decisions.  I have the drafting of Hasheem Thabeet at a level two controversy.  Eerily similar to my movie example, the previews of The Happening and Thabeet looked to have a lot of potential.  Unfortunately, it was one of the worst performances of Mark Wahlberg’s career and yet another disappointment from the once respectable M Night Shamamamallama.  Hopefully Thabeet can live up to his preview and provide the Grizzlies with something better than his display at the Las Vegas summer league.  Even if the Grizzlies can just get the interior defense they have been looking for.  I hope we are not sitting here in three years, after his movie/development time is over, wishing we would have picked Kung Fu Panda/Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, or Ricky Rubio.  Yes, I said Ricky Rubio.
The acquisitions of Zach Randolph and Allen Iverson rank in at a level three on the CC.  These moves have turned more heads than Megan Fox.  Tickets sales have been going through the roof, and many people are excited in Memphis.  I have always been a big supporter of bringing in Iverson, but I have not been as big on Randolph.  The Grizzlies have put themselves in a sticky situation.  The phrase that comes to mind is “high risk, high reward”.  Could the team’s rebuilding process be ruined?  Hell yes!  Could these acquisitions help speed up and improve the rebuilding process?  Fa sho.  These two controversial decisions are literally going to make or break the Grizzlies’ season.  For that reason they rank at the tippy top of the CC.
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Here is the big question.  Is it possible for these players to coexist and succeed?  Some people think it can happen and some think there is a better chance of David Kahn being named GM of the year.  Many people, especially non Grizzlies fans, think the team will implode. They think worst case scenario.  That scenario includes; Iverson not starting and he sits out because he ”hurt” his back, Mayo and Gay are upset about their touches, Randolph punches Gasol, Conley loses his confidence, and Hasheem ends up being The Happening.  While others think this is going to be best case scenario.  Iverson proves himself to still be a star, Mayo and Conley develop into more complete players, Gay erupts this season, Randolph turns into a saint, and the Grizzlies go to the playoffs.  These wildly differing opinions are what make these decisions so controversial.

I believe these decisions can turn out to be positive for the organization.  Maybe not best case scenario, but the Grizzlies are going to improve.  This depends heavily on the players cooperating and coach Hollins using them correctly.  In order to better illustrate how this team can work, I looked for a successful team that is comparable to the team the Grizzlies have assembled.  It was not easy to find a comparable team, and you may not agree with the team I have chosen.  By no means am I saying that we are going to be as successful as the team I chose, but I do think that the Grizzlies have the same make up.  That same make up can definitely translate into more wins.  Check back later this week for the comparison post.  Until then, feel free to leave your own Controversy Chart decisions in a comment below.
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