| Memphis vs Milwaukee - 11.21.09 |
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| Written by Chip Crain |
| Saturday, 21 November 2009 05:14 |
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Brandon Jennings is what Memphis fans wanted Mike Conley to be. Now they seem just want Mike somewhere else. Jennings scored 29 points last night. Mike Conley's scored 24 points in his last 4 games and it's not like Mike is passing that great to make up for the lack of offensive production. Conley has one double figure assist game this season and that was against Toronto back in October. What's more disturbing is that Conley was torched for 31 points against Louis Williams in his last game. It's scary to consider what Brandon Jennings will do with his team short-handed. Advantage: Milwaukee
O J Mayo has to be excited he isn't going up against Andre Iquodala tonight but Charlie Bell isn't going to make it easier for Mayo to score. He's just not going to force Mayo to be as concerned on the defensive end which is a good thing since Mayo was getting burned earlier in the season. Bell is shorter than Mayo, not as dangerous a scorer and frankly not up to par in any respect as Mayo except on defense. Mayo needs to exploit this matchup and show some of the play-making ability he is rumored to have since Conley will have his hands full. One of the most positive developments of the recent win streak has been the team's willingness to share responsibility for the offense. This night is Mayo's turn to step up. Advantage: MemphisÂ
Delfino struggled getting opportunities in Toronto and Detroit but may have found a home in Milwaukee where he's started all 8 games he's played this year. Then again averaging 8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 2.5 apg isn't going to garnish a ton of respect from a tough coach like Scott Skiles. Rudy Gay is doing exactly what you would expect from a player in his contract year. He's putting up huge numbers. Rudy is shotting 51.3% from the field, 21.6 ppg and 6.4 apg including a beautiful game against Philly where he racked up 33 pts and 10 boards. Rudy has size, athleticism and momentum on his side. Advantage: MemphisÂ
Ilyasova is another player that struggled his first time in the NBA. Only Ilyasova decided to head back overseas to get the experience he needed and he's returned a stronger player. The 6-10, 235 Turkish forward can stretch defenses with his 3 pt shooting (40.6%) but isn't a great threat inside the arc hitting only 42% of his FG attempts. Of course nearly half his attempts have been three pointers this season. ZAch Randolph has been everything advertised and nothing feared so far this season. Randolph, 6-9 and 260, will force Ilyasova to defend inside the paint and hit the boards hard because Randolph won't quit. Randolph is not a great defender on the wings however. It's an interesting battle but Randolph should be too powerful. Advantage: MemphisÂ
Dan Gadzuric ia being forced into an almost impossible position. Not only does he have to replace Andrew Bogut, the former #1 pick in the NBA draft, but he has to battle a center who has been giving everyone fits of late. Gadzuric is an intelligent player but not physical enough to handle Gasol who has been on a ferocious scoring run. He actually had an off-night scoring only hitting 6-8 against Samuel Dalembert and the Sixers. He's 21 of 24 in his last 3 games and has 32 rebounds over that time span. If Gasol has a weak link it is fouls. Gasol has battled foul trouble in each of the last three games. He will start getting more respect however if he continues on this pace. Advantage: Memphis
Memphis decided they couldn't afford Hakim Warrick and Allen Iverson. They already had Darrell Arthur so they decided to pul the qualifying offer. I am sure now that AI has pulled his disappearing act and DA is out until the 2nd half of the season that the Grizzlies regret those decisions. Warrick is averaging 10.3 ppg and 5.6 rpg, similiar to his numbers in Memphis and has been unable to unseat Ilyasova for a starting job but he is still a dangerous scorer off the bench. With Michael Redd and Bogut injured the Bucks bench has been depleted but Skiles insists players know and play their roles on his teams so the bench players will attack. Kurt Thomas is getting old in the tooth but should see extensive action to slow the Grizzlies rebounding prowess. Memphis' bench is young, inexperienced and willing to work. Marcus Williams seems to be settling in at the PG position and should be improving his minutes if he can slow down his penchant for shooting and focus on getting others involved instead. Sam Young and DeMarre Carroll are hot and cold but improving. Speaking of improvement is anyone else noticing that Thabeet is getting better? Advantage: Memphis Other Commentary: |
 
 
 
  
 
  
Comments
Aside from that, Brandon Jennings nailed the coffin shut. That kid is terrifying to watch if you're on the opposing side. He's so quick it's just... unnatural. Every time he touches the ball you just cringe. Conley, Mayo, and Williams took turns trying to stop him in the fourth, and they all got torched repeatedly. The bucks may have won the draft lottery after all.