Pre-Game Reconnaissance: Knicks at Grizzlies- 11/16/12

What's up with the Grizzlies?

They've been dominant. I asked Tom Lorenzo of Straight Outta Vancouver for specifics and here's what he told me:

The Grizzlies are playing peak basketball right now, coming off double-digit wins over the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder in back-to-back games. Really, they are playing even better than I could have expected. A lot of it has to do with Rudy Gay and Zach Randolph finally finding a way to co-exist on the court -- something I imagine Knicks fans can maybe find comfort in? For two-plus years that has been the lasting narrative, and finally it seems as if they've found just the right touch, if you will.

The other key, is that the Grizzlies have always been touted as a very good defensive team with a limited offensive scheme (put that on your mixtape, Iman Shumpert!). This year, though, they're putting more focus and effort into becoming a more dynamic offensive team, which is what makes them so dangerous. The defense just seems to come naturally. The offense has always been a bit of a struggle -- lots of standing around, little ball movement, too many isos, etc. The high-low passing game, led by Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, has been tremendous. Enough to where it's turning what seemed to be a two-man offensive game into a now four-headed monster. (Note: If you haven't watched much of the Grizzlies this year, or even last year, watch Marc Gasol and Mike Conley closely and I guarantee you'll be surprised at just how skilled they've become offensively over the years).

Overall, think of it this way: when you can beat the Miami Heat by 18 points in a game in which your third best scorer (Marc Gasol) manages to drop just two points, it speaks to just how this team has been able to branch out and not just rely on one of three things to happen -- low-post set for Gasol, low-post set for Randolph, contested jumper for Gay.

As for players to watch, aside from our known quantities (i.e. the starting five), I would watch Wayne Ellington, who simply buried the Heat with his seven threes, Jerryd Bayless, who is finally becoming the backup point guard we've so desperately been searching for, and Quicny Pondexter, who is quietly becoming a highly productive wing on both side of the court off the bench.

What's great about tonight's matchup is that both the Knicks and the Grizzlies are on top of their game right now. I personally couldn't be any happier with the way that the Grizzlies are playing, and I'm sure Knicks fans will say the same thing about their team. I'm really looking forward to this one, if only because we may see Rasheed, J.R. Smith, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen on the court at the same time.

Meet the new Grizzlies!

Jerryd Bayless- Jerryd takes his grooming very seriously and employs a team of trained razor caddies to help him select the right tools. He's tough on them, too. Just yesterday he punched one of his Groom Team caddies in the neck for handing him a 2" edging spork when he'd "specifically asked for the 1/8" chin broom".

Wayne Ellington- Wayne didn't actually want to be traded to the Grizzlies, but wasn't able to establish much leverage because his agent is a lamb wearing a bow tie.

Tony Wroten- Tony has managed to evade the usual rookie duty of carrying suitcases by hiding in his own suitcase. That's the one place they never look.

Adventures in Impersonating Tony Allen on Omegle!

Jim Todd Pep Talk!

hiya cardell. hi. how about last night huh. well yeah i know we won but did you see how you had 9 points. yeah winning matters the most but listen. listen. i don't want you to have nine points again okay cartman. i think this guy can help you out. listen. yeah it's a dog what else would it be. his name is neil and he will help you. those rats got too close to you last night and i saw them hitting you and they touched you. if you just bring neil along those rats will leave you alone. he growls and it's very scary. take the leash. here. here and you have to give him this cream. just rub it on his back. no it's for eczema. yeah. well no he does have fleas but that's not what the medication is for. no don't pet him he thinks you're attacking him and he'll chomp you. don't wanna get chomped. rats get chomped. you just score me more than nine points okay carl. good boy neil.

Six Degrees of Jason Kidd!

Jason Kidd's been around a while and he's made quite a few connections over the years. But what about the Memphis Grizzlies? Can we connect any of them to Jason in just six degrees? Let's see...

Mike Conley Jr. has a mustache. So does a walrus.

A walrus who is a girl walrus might be named Natalie. So is Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia.

Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia is Australian. So is actor Russell Crowe.

Actor Russell Crowe started in the film Gladiator. Knicks forward Chris Copeland once spilled 32 ounces of Cherry Coke onto his lap while watching Gladiator.

Knicks forward Chris Copeland gets his regular, 20 ounce bottles of Cherry Coke from the vending machine at the MSG training facility.

The MSG training facility is also a frequent peeping/pooping location of...

...Jason Kidd!

And now you're ready for Knicks-Grizzlies!

New York Knicks Tickets