 |  |
 |
|
| Tuesday, September 26 Playoffs? It's possible, say eager fans ESPN.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Wow, talk about some happy fans! The ESPN.com users who wrote in about the Vancouver Grizzlies and the Team Offseason Spotlight we wrote on them are pretty upbeat about the upcoming season and where the Grizzlies will finish. Some say playoffs, others say 35 or so wins, and most agree that the future is looking very, very bright.
Anyway, here are some of the better e-mails we received on the Grizz and their Team Offseason Spotlight. Enjoy, and check out our spotlight index page to read our breakdowns and your user comments on each NBA team.
I have been watching Grizzlies games since the beginning. It is hopefully well known around the league how good a starting five the Grizz have, however young. What is not well known, especially, it seems, in Vancouver, is that although Big Country has vastly underachieved the last couple of years, he is also the best clutch player. Yes, you read that correctly. In the last minute or two of a close game (when Shareef seems to disappear), it is Big Country who tends to make the big play. Whether it's the big rebound, tip in or shot, Big Country always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Yes, he is despised in Vancouver for his disappointing progress (or lack there of), but anyone who knows the Grizz really well, knows this. Now if he actually was in shape and played consistently, he could help the team immensely.
Also one thing that you never seemed to mention in any of your spotlights is that three or four teams in the West that didn't make the playoffs would have in the East. Maybe that gives an idea of how good some of those lower ranked East teams are.
I am encouraged to see the Grizzlies getting some positive attention for a change. For too long we have been in the shadow of Toronto and rightfully so. They have been a real success story. They are a team that has drafted well and also added some really important depth. I think for too long Stu Jackson was complacent. He seems to be a super guy who just never really got anyone's attention. I do not think the players ever felt there was an urgency, and with an expansion team I guess there might not be. But there comes a time when the GM has too look at his team and make some changes. And most of Stu's trades never amounted to anything other than a forgettable name. I mean it was getting humiliating.
I love the team and felt some of the games were a complete
joke. In terms of your assessment, I think things can only get better.
There was some real negative press about Dick Versace before he came here,
but I really think he has made some great moves. And some of the
players even seem to be excited about playing here, which is
very refreshing. There may not be any playoffs this year. But
I truly believe that we can shed the loser image and draw some positive attention for a change.
There's so much talk about the young talent, the new veteran acquisitions on the bench and the potential of Swift that I think we're missing out on the key factor that will make or break this team; the coach. Can you imagine what Doc Rivers would do for a team like this? It's up to Sidney Lowe to use this potential he has but I have a feeling that for the first few games, maybe the first half of the season, the Grizzlies will struggle to find that chemistry. Lowe is going to realize that exploiting the team's talent is a lot harder than he and everyone seems to think. But what a lineup, eh? Gary Vancouver, B.C.
I really think Vancouver is on the climb. They have a lot of talent with the big three (Abdur-Rahim, Bibby and Dickerson), but they are just not fully matured yet. In a few years I feel Abdur-Rahim will be a consistent All-Star and Dickerson may even make some appearances. Michael Dickerson is the most dangerous player they have and maybe the most valuable. Not only does he need to be the outside threat, but he is so lightning fast that his opponent must give him a few steps to respect his drive. He also is called upon to guard the most talented and versatile player on the other team. He is only going to get stronger and better, and I would rather have Dickerson over Steve Francis alone. Scott McNiel Seattle, Wash.
Vancouver is on the verge of playing competitive basketball. A winning record is not likely in the West but they should break the 30-win barrier. Bibby is consistently improving his play and leadership. With Bibby and Dickerson the Grizz have a guard tandem that can spread defenses with their range and play on the other end of the court, too. Shareef is a complete star who is adding the three to his game. Harrington is more than adequate as a fourth option. Swift will be starting at center once the Grizz understand that Reeves and Austin won't be motivated to compete for playing time. Alas, they traded half of last year's bench for Austin. Jon Schultz Arcadia, Wis.
It's great to see Abdur-Rahim getting some recognition as a guy who WAS an All-Star last year. It'll be interesting to see how well this team gels with the new players, coach and other front office personnel. If everyone gels well, I think that the talent is there right now for a .500 team. However I'd more realistically say they should be good for 35 wins this season.
Next year, the Lakers WILL have to scout the Grizzlies for their first-round series.
I think the Grizz will do much better this year and I agree that 30 wins is obtainable. However, I do believe that the team needs to trade either Grant Long or Othella Harrington for a backup to Shareef. They need to have a small forward who can come off the bench and give Shareef a little rest time. I'm not sure who is out there or if the Grizz management are even trying for a trade. Rod Victoria, B.C.
I think that the Grizzlies will improve a great bit. I've always had my eye on them, and will be watching them even more now that they have gotten Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf over the summer. When he was at Denver he put up 19.2 points in the '92-93 season and the '95-96 season. If he can bring that kind of firepower to the Grizzlies along with Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Mike Bibby and the LSU rookie Stromile Swift, watch out!!! Oh, I'm ready! Frederick Moore, Jr. Blue Mountain, Miss.
I think the Vancouver Grizzlies have a very legit chance at being very successful this year. If you look at their starting five, they have a very nice nucleus. You have Mike and Mike holding down the backcourt. You have the best player nobody gets to see, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, at small forward. You have Stromile Swift, who is full of potential at power forward. Add Bryant Reeves, Othella Harrington and Ike Austin and you have a pretty decent team. I think they need to acquire some quality reserve guards. If they can do this, I think they could easily when 40-45 games. We'll just have to wait and see. Chauncey Jones Rocky Mount, N.C.
I loved your assessment on the Grizz. They have such a young nucleus with tremendous upside. Bibby is soon to be one of the best point guards, Dickerson is a great shooter who definitely has top five scoring potential. And, of course, there's Shareef Abdur-Rahim, still the best kept secret in the league. However, I believe that next season he could average 25 points in an explosive offense. Those three guys will light it up next season. I do not agree that Swift should play the power forward. He will block shots, but will get beaten up down low by players like Shaq, Malone, Duncan and Webber. He's better as a small forward until he puts some more weight on him. If they put him on the bench for now, they could have scoring and defense on the bench, and still be good at power forward with Othella Harrington. Other than that, your assessment was excellent. I'd even go as far to say that they could go for 35-40 wins as long as they play healthy and consistent basketball. Daniel Covina, Calif.
You really can't blame the Grizzlies, they have far more talent than the Raptors in my view. But since they are in the West, it is tough for the young guys to win over the Lakers or Blazers. (They play these teams four times instead of two). I think they have 30 wins next year should not be ashamed. If they are in the East, they can be the top four seed in the playoffs! Therefore, in the next few years, when the Jazz, Spurs and Blazers get into rebuilding mode, it will be time for the Grizzlies to shine. Tony Tsang Auckland, New Zealand
I think Vancouver has finally made some moves that will get them some respect. Obtaining Ike Austin was an excellent move. He brings points and rebounds to a bench that needs points and rebounds. Ike was key when he was in Miami, giving Zo a rest and even picking up the pieces a time or two. He's not a clutch player but he can hit big shots and spark an offense. Bringing him off the bench will be a temporary thing because of Vancouver's real big problem. Bryant Reeves has shown that he can't compete with other starting centers no matter how good or bad. He is a waste of money and time. The only thing he is good for is taking up space and drawing fouls. Ike should start, Reeves should come off the bench. As for Abdur-Rahim, Dickerson, Bibby and Harrington, they are the real deal. Each player gets better every year and competes and each tries to win games. Dickerson and Bibby make up the best young backcourt in the NBA. Abdur-Rahim is an All-Star player and an Olympian. Harrington is a high energy player that brings good things to any team he plays for. Top draft pick Stromile Swift has to start right away and be a defensive player. He will score, but Vancouver needs a pure shot blocker, and Swift is it. He won't be defensive player of the year, but he can stop other big men from dominating Bryant Reeves in the paint. In two years Vancouver will be in the playoffs. Look for Vancouver to be highly respected and fun to watch. Tim Asaro Bolingbrook, Ill.
Your comments concerning Bryant Reeves are only partly justified. The main reason his numbers are down is because Lionel Hollins (amongst many questionable personnel decisions) only played Reeves sparingly. There seemed to be no health reasons, but Hollins seemed to have his favorites, no matter what the cost to the team in terms of wins or losses. Assuming Reeves comes to camp in shape, and Lowe plays him, he is capable of much more. Kent Hocking Vancouver, B.C.
The Grizzlies are going to the right direction. I actually feel that they are better off than the Raptors. Yes, the Raptors made the playoffs last year but the Grizz gained Swift. Now they have one of the league's most solid contributors in Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a solid point in Bibby, and now a future star in Swift.
I also feel that the Grizz benefited from the trade of Steve Francis. Francis is not a shooting guard. They gain Dickerson, who is tough to handle and others in that trade. I feel that the Grizz are an upcoming team. It just remains to be seen if they can keep it all there.
You guys hit it right on the money with this one (as well as most of the others). This team is a couple of years and maybe a big-time free agent and one more good draft pick away from being a very good team. They have talent at every position, except for the big 7-foot disappointment (there are way too many of those in the NBA) at center, and they have put together a pretty good bench for this season. If they don't win at least five to 10 more games than they did last season it should be considered a bad season. But the future does look bright for our northern neighbors. Adnan Jalali Houston, Texas
I see a big upside in the land of the Great Grizz. The have young talent at each position and even on the bench. It remains to be seen how long it will take for this talent to gel (ask the Clippers at training camp each year) and be able to stop anyone on the defensive end. One of the few class acts from the Dream Team is Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who anchors the scoring load but potentially has help from Dickerson and Swift. It would be great to see Vancouver displace Carter's Raptors as the best team north of the border and maybe even get into the playoff hunt. Good luck, Grizz Mick Australia |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
