Grizzled Vet

Donovan Mitchell injured today

Last year's overly optimistic, highly unlikely playoff thread was started in December, after 34 games with 48 to go. Not surprisingly, nobody at the beginning of last year's playoff thread correctly predicted that there would be a global pandemic, all sporting events would be paused, the team would join 21 other teams in a bubble in Orlando, a new playoff format would be accepted, and the Grizzlies would miss out from being an official playoff team. As of today, with 50 games potentially remaining, the 11-11 Grizzlies sit in 9th, halfway between 7th (Denver Nuggets) and 14th with only the Timberwolves likely out of playoff contention. So 1-3 appear locks for the playoffs (Jazz, Lakers, Clippers). The important 4-6 positions are Suns, Portland, Spurs. 7-10 play-in teams: Nuggets, Warriors, Grizzlies, Mavericks 11-14 still fighting: Kings, Rockets, Pelicans, and Thunder. If you are counting, that is 5 teams above them in striking distance, and 5 teams below them that see the Grizzlies as within easy striking distance. So do the Grizzlies finish in the Play-in tournament? Outside looking in the lottery?

Just curious who has been to a game and what it is like this year with the significantly reduced capacity. I see tonight there are plenty of tickets available, especially because of weather and less than appealing opponent, so I'm curious if anyone here has been to a game there this year.

Among pg's, Ja is pretty average in mpg played at 31.9 mpg. Also sitting at that 31-32 MPG are CP3 and Jrue Holiday of Milwaukee, which is where TJ came from. Jamal Murray was 3rd on MPG. Based on who might be a candidate for sitting down and resting, especially based on past injuries, the Blazers need to consider having Dame sit (more) or significantly cut some minutes from him.

This doesn't seem to be trending the right way:

JV may overtake Mike Conley as the highest rated underrated guy. He's a double-double machine, but he really excels in getting threads started about him

It makes me wonder if Clippers will sign Cousins to remainder of season deal or possibly a two year deal. With Aldridge out, Cousins has a little more value.

For those watching the middle of the Western Conference standings. Team (Strength of schedule of remaining games ranking) Spurs (#2 - toughest schedule remaining in league) Portland (#3) Suns (#4) Lakers (#7) Pelicans (#9) Grizzlies (#21) Warriors (#23) Dallas (#30 - easiest schedule remaining)

Geez....those last few posts were kinda sad. Aldridge retiring for health reasons and then Brooks blows an achilles. I know those guys SHOULD be set for life financially, but you still don't want bad things to happen to them.

Yes, they really played a good game overall, with just 7 TOs. That probably isn't going to go that well most games.

I hope youth and getting guys experience is the reason Jenkins doesn't do situational substitutions at this point because he doesn't. It's not just this game but he rarely subs in an end of game situation. Even if Winslow and Melton had been healthy last night, they would not have been subbed into the game for the last 1.8 seconds if they weren't already on the floor.

I think this is accurate (NSFW for language, so volume down if young ears/co-workers around)

Draft pick #14 seems pretty likely now.

Dallas was a costly loss tonight, and while the 7th or 6th seed was probably out of reach anyways, the bar was just raised higher. Pelicans and Spurs lost, Warriors won.

I thought they really played a pretty good game overall. But this team doesn't make free throws down the stretch in close games, and that is a recipe for an early play-in tournament exit.

Yes, yes he will.

That's why you make free throws. It should not have come down to it.

Jalen Brunson or Javon Carter ---- That was the choice in the 2018 NBA draft

Maybe the answer is that whatever guy is cold or TO prone in the first half doesn't get a 2nd rotation.

if JJJ returns does Clark or Tillman go to the bench? If you had to base your answer only on the last 3-4 weeks, I think I might say I'd rather Tillman play, but that may be because of expectations.

And they need to shoot free throws like a professional team

Denver isn't losing a 6 game lead with 20 games to go. if Memphis catches 1 team above them, it will be a good accomplishment (but that is in the playoff thread)

It's been a couple months since starting this thread. For those who attended, how does the atmosphere compare this year to last?

With the news of Jamal Murray's knee injury, it does make me wonder if the FO won't start resting Ja for a couple games this season, especially as cautious as they have been with these other injuries.