New York, New York! Bringing a championship home

[zike_42]

It will be a massive challenge because at New York I could just throw money at something and things would work out but I can't do that here. I'm struggling to get the roster at a reasonable level so I don't get fired after one year.

[zike_42]

2015 NBA Draft

We have the 14th pick in the draft but I look around for some trades to see if I can improve this team but also reel in this payroll.

1 – Phoenix – PF Nate Roberts
Great pick here and even though his defence isn’t very good the rest of his skill set will seem him succeed.

I strike a deal with Phoenix and it could be a hit or miss but if it works I’ll be laughing.

Memphis trade:
PF Zach Randolph
SG Dion Waiters
PG Mario Chalmers

Phoenix trade:
C Marcin Gortat
SG Jarrett Jack
2015 2nd round pick (#35)

Winner – Memphis. The Grizz want to pair Gortat with Marc Gasol to produce a twin tower duo similar to Tim Duncan/David Robinson (not as good obviously). Jack was a All NBA Third Teamer a few years back as well.

2 – Philadelphia – PG Changa Hendricks
Who? Terrible pick here, he wasn’t even on the mock draft and wasn’t even the best PG available.

I trade up to #5 seeing as there will be some players dropping, trading away our #14 and Perry Jones to Toronto for #5.

3 – Toronto – SF Paul Orvis
Hmm, he is a good player but I do like Wesley Fields better.

I swap picks with Orlando (plus a second rounder) to move up to #4.

4 – Memphis – SF Wesley Fields
When I get the mock draft #1 at number four I’m pretty happy. He should start from day one I think.

5 – Orlando – C Drew McAfee
Probably the best centre in the draft and will fit in with Orlando. Only 6’9” so may have trouble guarding taller big men.

6 – Atlanta – SF Antoine Martin
If I couldn’t get Fields I would have gone with Martin. Good pick here.

7 – LA Lakers – SF Derek Thomas
Good scorer but doesn’t have the best hands. Still working on his defence but can be a good defender and I think the Lakers were hoping for Martin to drop to #7. Thomas could have been taken at the end of the lottery if needed.

8 – Dallas – SF Pat Archie
This guy should have been the Lakers’ pick. Great passer for a SF and can rebound with the best of them. The Mavs should be happy with this one.

With how this team is built I can’t really get any other teams to trade with me so I think I’m done for the moment.

9 – Boston – PF Leonard Hale
Quite raw but has all the makings of a good player, the Celtics just need to stay with him.

10 – Brooklyn – PF Dave Webb
Fantastic pick and I’m surprised to see him fall this low. He may have attitude troubles but as a player this is a steal.

11 – Utah – C Jonathan Benson
I said that Benson would go higher than eleven so what do I know the experts were spot on. However, the draft experts are saying that he should have gone higher so I guess they are just covering their tracks. Good pick by the Jazz anyway.

12 – Chicago – SG David Phillips
Only 6’4” but a good shooter and not the best ball handler. I think he will make his money as a spot up shooter which will help Derrick Rose but when a team picks in the lottery they should hope for more than a spot up shooter.

13 – Atlanta – SG Murman Andronikov
The enigma of this draft. Some people had him in the top five while others had the Estonian out of the lottery. Probably a good spot for him at the bottom of the lottery as he could be great or a bust.

14 – Toronto – PG Alex Crawford
Our old pick is a good one as Alex Crawford will be a good PG off the bat and could even be a great one. Great value here by the Raptors.

15 – Atlanta – SF Rasheed Miller
16 – Charlotte – C Derrick Woodward
17 – Toronto – PG Anton Palmer
18 – Washington – PF Alton Hardy
19 – Brooklyn – SF Jamal Howell
20 – New York – C Camara Brinker
21 – Oklahoma City – C Tre Hines
22 – Portland – SG Clarence Hope

Three great picks in a row.

23 – Toronto – PG Maurice Sullivan
24- Miami – SG Igor Lepinat
25 – Cleveland – SF Kent Harris
26 – Detroit – PG Justin Claxton
27 – Washington – SG James Smith
28 – San Antonio – SF Clarence Harrington
29 – Indiana – C Brandon Darting
30 – Cleveland – C Benjamin Heskett

We traded away our second round pick so I sleep through the second round. There are some doozy trades through the draft.

Denver trade:
PG Brandon Croom
2015 1st round pick

New York trade:
PF Jordan Hill

Winner – Both. The first round pick ended up being Camara Brinker who I like while Hill was always one of my favourites. Both teams gets something out of this trade.

Milwaukee trade:
SG Monta Ellis

Toronto trade:
C Jonas Valanciunas

Winner – Milwaukee. Don’t get me wrong, Ellis is a great scorer but Jonas is a better player at a position of need.

New York trade:
PG Raymond Felton

Brooklyn trade:
PF Steve Novak
2015 2nd round pick

Winner – Brooklyn. Seriously New York? This is a terrible trade as Felton is a better player and on a better contract.

Boston trade:
PF Chris Wilcox

New York trade:
PF Elton Brand

Winner – Draw. It’s a bit of a nothing trade but it seems that new GM Grant Hill is trying to remove all of my previous work in one fell swoop. Jerk.

Wesley Fields looks like he could take on the world, in a couple of years. He is very raw but his enthusiasm is a great sign. And #2 pick Changa Hendricks? Awful with a capital Awf.

[zike_42]

I renounce everyone possible except for Marc Gasol and I think about extending a lot of our players but decide not to. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Andre Drummond, Kevin Love, Eric Gordon, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Nicolas Batum, Bradley Beal and Chris Drexler are all free agents next off season so I’m going to get a far as I can under the cap to see if I can make a splash.

Summer league rolls around and we start off with a 104-83 win over Utah. Wesley Fields is great with 21 points while Ernest Davis had 12 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Davis has more potential than I thought so instead of using him as trade fodder I might keep him around.

It’s two wins in a row with a 89-82 win over Indiana. Fields was again our highest scorer with 16 points but Brandon Royten, our second round pick from ages ago, piped up with 16 points of his own. Brandon Darting was the Pacers’ best with 18 points.

The Clippers were no match for our summer league team as we crush them 113-83. Again Wesley Fields was our best with 21 points as we had five players in double figures. The Clippers’ steal Charles Canady had 17 points and 9 assists and the Raptors should be kicking themselves for letting him go.

Speaking of the Raptors, they beat us in the next game 107-83. #3 pick Paul Orvis had 18 points and 8 rebounds to pip Wesley Fields who had 18 points and 7 rebounds. Rashard Gebbers is looking for a contract with 14 points off the bench for us.

Our last summer league game was a 87-77 win that was U-G-L-Y. Hassan Benton finally did something with 23 points as he and Wesley Fields (14 points) were our only double digit scorers. Drew McAfee was great with 23 points in a losing effort.

We went 4-1 in the summer league but the main points is that Fields looked great (18.0 ppg) while Hassan Benton (16.6 ppg) and Ernest Davis (6.0apg) were also decent.

Going into free agency we have one priority – re-sign Marc Gasol, the rest is to fill out the roster. Here are the top ten free agents (* = restricted).

PF LaMarcus Aldridge
PG John Wall
PG Kyrie Irving*
PG Ricky Rubio*
PF Kenneth Faried*
PG Rajon Rondo
C DeAndre Jordan
C Marc Gasol
SF Rudy Gay
PF Amare Stoudemire

Right off the bat I send an offer to Marc valued at $66 million, over 5 years. A bit less than what he wanted but we can negotiate. I’m also on the lookout for a backup PF and then anything else to round out the roster.

Kyrie Irving re-signs with Cleveland in a move that shocked no-one. He seems to love it there.

Another top tenner has re-signed, as Washington will keep John Wall for another five years. Pretty boring free agency so far.

I up the offer to Marc to a five year, $68 million contract and he signs on the dotted line. About four million a year less than the maximum which is a win for me. On the same day LaMarcus Aldridge, Kenneth Faried, Ricky Rubio, Paul George and Rudy Gay re-sign with their respective teams. Yawn. Hopefully there is some movement to wake us all up.

Ah ha! Jeremy Lin has spurned the Rockets and moved to Canada, signing a 4 year, $44 million contract to play with the Raptors. On the same day Kawhi Leonard has signed with Boston and Klay Thompson signed an offer sheet with Charlotte for way too much than he deserves.

I throw a Hail Mary to Tristan Thompson for a three year mid level exception to see if he bites but we have to wait. Boston hasn’t finished spending money as they fork out $37 million over four years for Chandler Parsons while one of my favourites Iman Shumpert has gone to Milwaukee for $10 million a year over four.

The second last top tenner re-signs with their original team as DeAndre Jordan stays with the Clippers for five years. Rajon Rondo is the only one left of that ten.

Damn, Tristan Thompson accepts his tender offer from Cleveland and will stay there for another year. Oh well. The tenders take out a lot of other players so the pool is getting shallower. Rajon Rondo signs with Milwaukee and should make a dynamic backcourt duo with Iman Shumpert. That is going to be one defensive minded guard rotation.

The next day Kemba Walker signs with Orlando, Amare Stoudemire signs with Atlanta and Enes Kanter who looks like he will never be on my team even though I try and try signs with New Orleans.

Dammit! I was so sure Grevis Vaquez was going to sign here but he wants to play with Dwight Howard and signs for three years on a very, very cheap deal.

I sign Glen Davis to a cheap 2 year deal to be our back up PF while Tyson Chandler also signs here for the minimum. I round out our roster by signing Gary Neal for a two year minimum deal.

Training camp comes and goes and although Ernest Davis is looking much better he probably isn’t ready for NBA duties so I send him down to the D-League. Wesley Fields is looking A LOT better, much better than he was when we drafted him. He is currently our sixth man which says a lot.

The pre-season rankings have us in ninth place which is warranted but I do think we can upset some of those teams and sneak into the playoffs.

Eastern Conference Pre-Season Rankings
1 – Detroit Pistons
2 – Washington Wizards
3 – Charlotte Bobcats
4 – Miami Heat
5 – Cleveland Cavaliers
Last – Brooklyn Nets

The Knicks are picked eighth which is good enough, they have lost a lot of bench and Mike is again bringing Andre Iguodala off the bench which is stupid. I don’t see the Wizards going second but those five teams will probably be the five on top at the end of the season.

Western Conference Pre-Season Rankings
1 – Sacramento Kings
2 – Minnesota Timberwolves
3 – New Orleans Hornets
4 – Utah Jazz
5 – Portland Trailblazers
Last – Phoenix Suns

DeMarcus Cousins is still injured but should be back for this season which is why they are first. The Jazz shouldn’t be in the top five but the rest of the West is so close there really isn’t a clear cut top five.

Here is your 2015-16 Memphis Grizzlies –

PG – Mike Conley
SG – Jarrett Jack
SF – Gerald Wallace
PF – Marcin Gortat
C – Marc Gasol
6th – Tony Allen
7th – Wesley Fields
8th – Wilson Chandler
9th – Glen Davis
10th – Gary Neal
11th – Tim Duncan
12th – Hassan Benton
13th – Tyson Chandler
14th- Ivan Johnson
D-League – Ernest Davis

[zike_42]

Alright let’s get this season started! Great start for Kevin Love as his first game is a 54 point, 22 rebound clobbering of Phoenix. That’s right, as of now Kevin Love is averaging 54 points and 22 rebounds per game for the season.

What? Lionel Hollins is not starting Marc Gasol, going with Gortat at C and Glen Davis at PF. It’s going to be the AI/Felton trouble all over again. We won against the Lakers anyway 113-104 but I don’t like this. Wilson Chandler was our best with 19 points and 3 blocks as we have six players in double figures. Jonas Jerebko takes Davis to school with 28 points while Ernest Jameson had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-0

Kevin Love ‘only’ had 32 points and 8 rebounds in their 115-89 win over us but this ‘bringing Marc Gasol off the bench’ act is already very old. Our top scorer was only 14 from Marcin Gortat.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-1

I’ll give this team ten games to work things out but if we are still sucking then I will make some moves. I can’t fire Lionel Hollins because someone thought it would be clever to give him a four year contract last season. Urgh.

Another game where we score in the 80s as we go down to New Orleans 103-85. Anthony Davis nearly had a triple double with 29 points, 8 rebounds and 8 blocks while Eric Gordon helped with 28 points for himself. Jarrett Jack was our best with 23 points.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-2

Kevin Durant put up 42 points as we again score in the 80s with a 107-89 loss to the Thunder. Marcin Gortat showed what he can do when he gets some minutes with 30 points and 9 rebounds and I don’t think I’ll get to 10 games before I snap.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-3

That’s it, after our 88-79 loss to Charlotte I’ve had enough. Al Jefferson had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks and we shot 35% from the field. Time to make some trades.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-4

This team is not built properly and a lot of that is my fault but we do have over $43 million in expiring contracts so I’m going to try get a true PF but he also needs to have a massive expiring contract and then hope like the dickens that I don’t get fired in the off season.

It was pretty easy when I actually have something other people want.

Memphis trade:
C Marc Gasol
2018 1st round pick

Golden State:
PF David Lee
2016 1st round pick

Winner – Memphis. Value wise it’s a draw but the Gasol has now pushed Andrew Bogut to the bench which could cause some friction. There is a good chance that the Warriors draft pick will be in the lottery as well.

OK, that is a bit better with our line-up being Conley/Jack/Chandler/Lee/Gortat.

And wouldn’t you know it our first game since the trade is against my old team the New York Knicks. And wouldn’t you know it we still can’t score over 80 as we get smashed 98-79. Chris Paul had 21 points and 14 assists while Rudy Gay also had 20 points, 8 turnovers, 7 steals and 6 rebounds. Our best was David Lee with 18 points and 9 rebounds but this team will get a pass because it always takes a while for a major piece to settle in with a new team.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-5

The next night we go into Indiana and we play better but still lose 109-94. We got out to a 15 point lead before losing our way before going down. Roy Hibbert was fantastic with 27 points and 18 rebounds but we had some good games like Mike Conley’s 30 points and David Lee’s 24 points and 9 rebounds. Getting closer.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-6

In Chicago’s 128-108 win over Denver Jake Chase and Derrick Rose combined for a massive 73 points, with Chase having 42 points and Rose putting up the poor man’s triple double with 31 points, 12 assists and 12 turnovers.

Another loss, this time to Houston 97-87 and I’m already looking for next season. James Harden was kept to 3/12 shooting and turned the ball over nine times but we shot 39% from the field so we couldn’t take advantage of his down night. Jarrett Jack had 17 points, as did Gerald Wallace.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-7

Did I say that I’m looking for next season already? We score 111 points but still lose! The Clippers score 116 to pip us on their home court. Charles Canady had 28 points after shooting 18/20 from the foul line as four of our players foul out. Kinda sneaky I think. Gary Neal had 22 points in 22 minutes before fouling out. Marcin Gortat only had 2 points for the game but he is nursing a hamstring injury so I can’t be too critical of him.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-8

After our 109-84 loss to Sacramento both Tyson Chandler and Gerald Wallace lash out about playing time and I tell them to settle down, or else. David Lee is only one of two Grizz players in double figures with 16 points while Thomas Robinson was player of the game with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies 1-9

Basketball is a strange game. After all of these demoralising games we beat the 9-2 Nuggets 109-91. Mike Conley was our best with 21 points, 7 assists and 5 steals as six of our players are in double figures. David Lee was also good with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Phew, that feels a little better.

Memphis Grizzlies 2-9

Great. Not only does Wilson Chandler hurt his finger in our 116-90 loss to Utah David Lee and Tony Allen have a go at each other. This just isn’t on, we have to stick together during this tiring season or else it will get much, much worse. I tell them both to chill out but they both blow me off. I’ll keep an eye on this situation to see if it escalates.

Memphis Grizzlies 2-10

It’s a loss in overtime this time, going down 111-105 to San Antonio which is OK I guess. Dwight Howard had 18 points and 13 rebounds while David Lee is our best with 22 points and 8 rebounds and Marcin Gortat and Mike Conley double up.

Memphis Grizzlies 2-11

Our last game of the month is a surprising win over Milwaukee 101-92. David Lee had 20 points and 9 rebounds while Jarrett Jack was close to a triple double with 13 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds which is exciting. Thomas Cooper was again useless with 9 points and 5 fouls while John Henson had 25 points and 9 blocks off the bench which has to be some kind of bench record.

Memphis Grizzlies 3-11

Thank God that month is over. The good news is that we have nearly $61 million in expiring contracts this off season. The bad news, it’s a line ball to see if I get to use that money next off season the way we are going. More good news is that we aren’t last, that goes to Dallas who are 2-12 so far. Minnesota are leading the way with a 13-3 record, two games ahead of New Orleans and Denver.

In the East Detroit are leading the way with a 11-3 record, 1.5 games ahead of Orlando, Charlotte and New York all at 10-5. Boston are with us at the moment with a 3-11 record.

Memphis Top Points
David Lee – 17.3
Jarrett Jack – 16.1
Marcin Gortat – 12.6

Memphis Top Assists
Mike Conley – 5.4
Jarrett Jack – 4.6
Wilson Chandler – 1.8

Memphis Top Rebounds
David Lee – 8.3
Marcin Gortat – 6.3
Glen Davis – 4.6

League Top Points
Kevin Durant (OKC) – 39.2 (not a typo)
Kevin Love (MIN) – 29.5
Lebron James (MIA) – 28.3

League Top Assists
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 11.0
John Wall (WAS) – 10.2
Michael Fisher (UTA) – 10.1

League Top Rebounds
Derrick Favors (UTA) – 13.5
Dwight Howard (SAS) – 12.9
Kevin Love (MIN) – 12.8

League Top Efficiency
Kevin Durant (OKC) – 34.5
Kevin Love (MIN) – 29.2
Anthony Davis (NOH) – 28.4

Rookie Top Efficiency
Dave Webb (BKL) – 17.7 (13.0 points, 1.6 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 2.1 blocks)
Paul Orvis (TOR) – 13.7 (11.0 points, 1.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 1.4 blocks)
Pat Archie (DAL) – 11.8 (9.9 points, 2.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.7 blocks)

Mark my words, come next season Lionel Hollins will not be coaching this Memphis Grizzlies team.

[zike_42]

November Player of the Month – Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder – 39.2 points, 1.0 assists, 7.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

November Rookie of the Month – Dave Webb, Brooklyn Nets – 13.0 points, 1.6 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game.

I would love to have Durant on my team this time next season.

Our first game is against San Antonio and we win! 109-93 is the final score as six Grizzlies players are in double figures led by Mike Conley’s 19 points and 7 assists. Dwight Howard was the best for the Spurs with 17 points but he must be kicking himself by going to the Spurs as they have lost a lot of their good players.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-11

The next night we go to Houston and they rack up 129 points compared to our 107 in a shootout. Kobe Bryant is coming off the bench but that hasn’t stopped him with 28 points while fellow bencher Michael Beasley had 22 points. Gary Neal was our best (another bench player) with 15 points in 16 minutes. We just don’t have that go to guy in this system and I put the blame squarely on Lionel Hollins.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-12

Another shootout with the Cavs beating us 132-103 as they shoot 59% from the field. Andrew Bynum had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Altron Johnson put up 18 points in 22 minutes off the bench. Marcin Gortat was keeping up with Bynum for a while, scoring 19 points before he fouled out in 16 minutes.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-13

That’s more like it, we go down 108-78 to Denver. Kenneth Faried was the best on the court with 18 points and 9 rebounds while our best was a paltry 14 points from Jarrett Jack. I’m getting sick of Lionel Hollins but I can’t sack him with four years left so I’m kind of in the middle of nowhere. We just have to wait until next season I keep telling myself.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-14

Marc Gasol was quite upset with me dumping him so he took it out on our team as the Warriors beat us 102-94. Gasol had 18 points and 12 rebounds while Marcin Gortat tried to keep with him with 20 points and 10 rebounds but we just didn’t have enough help. What to do, what to do...

Memphis Grizzlies 4-15

I wasn’t confident going into our game against the 15-4 Hornets and the game showed how good they are. We lost 106-91 as Anthony Davis had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 6 blocks and from this game he has gone to the top of my free agent wish list with Lebron James and Kevin Durant. We had six players in double figures but our highest scorer was Marcin Gortat with 14 points and 9 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-16

Dammit! So close. We lose to Miami 99-94 and we squandered some excellent opportunities. Third year PF DeWayne Johnson was the Heat’s best with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Marcin Gortat is finding his groove with 12 points and 18 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-17

Oh come on. Even though the Thunder are 10-11 they are still an excellent team and we go down 96-86. I’ve noticed that we get out to double digit leads but seem to run out of gas, this time losing the fourth quarter 27-17. Kevin Durant had 31 points and 12 rebounds and on our side David Lee was our best with 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-18

We’ve lost seven games in a row as the 15-9 Portland Trailblazers comes to town and we lose the eighth 119-114 in overtime. Damian Lillard (who is also a free agent at the end of the year) was the best with 29 points and 8 assists while Marcin Gortat had 26 points and 9 rebounds and he is asserting himself as the best player on this team.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-19

That’s it, I don’t care about his contract if we lose two more games Lionel Hollins is gone.

**TRADE**

Orlando trade:
PF Hayletts Smith

LA Clippers trade:
PF Bill Mallet

Winner – Clippers. They are very similar in play style but Smith is better, strange trade by the Magic.

When we lose to 5-16 Dallas 89-96 you know something is wrong. Evan Turner had 24 points for the winners while Marcin Gortat had 18 points and 11 rebounds. It’s not a bad team, sure we aren’t gunning for a title but we shouldn’t be 4-20 at this stage.

Memphis Grizzlies 4-20

Well, well, well, we win game number 10 against Washington 114-102 to snap our losing streak at nine. David Lee went well with 21 points and 8 rebounds while Tyson Chandler had 16 points off the bench as Gortat was in foul trouble. Bradley Beal had 20 points for the losers as John Wall had a night to forget, 3/10 from the field and five turnovers before fouling out.

Memphis Grizzlies 5-20

It doesn’t matter, I’m looking for a new coach, but first...

**TRADE**

Atlanta trade:
PF Josh Smith
2016 2nd round pick

Phoenix trade:
SG Mike Lloyd
SF Linas Kleiza

Winner – Phoenix. Smith wanted out and all the Hawks got was an expiring contract and a decent prospect. The Suns will have to make a decision though as they have Smith, Zach Randolph and #1 draft pick Nate Roberts at the PF position now.

I bring Lionel into my office and tell him we are going in a different direction and he doesn’t care. He’s getting paid for four more years and that is all that matters to him now. Jerk. I call up Eddie Jordan and offer him a cheap three year deal. He may be similar in talent but his game plan is probably better for this team.

Wesley Fields gets the start at SF which is good to see, he didn’t do much but I like the direction. We come up short against Toronto 94-91 as Monta Ellis put up 23 points for his new team. Jarrett Jack was our best with 22 points and 6 assists.

Memphis Grizzlies 5-21

Blake Griffin pours in 33 points and 15 rebounds as we squander a 15 point lead to lose 104-99 to the Clippers. Wesley Fields exploded for 21 points on 9/13 shooting which is awesome while Hassan Benton had 18 points off the bench because of Mike Conley’s foul trouble.

Memphis Grizzlies 5-22

Another big name player torches us, this time it’s Kevin Durant with 44 points in our 111-98 loss to the Thunder. Marcin Gortat had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Memphis Grizzlies 5-23

Eddie Jordan gets his first win with his new team as we beat the Lakers 114-104 in overtime at their home ground. Mike Conley had 32 points in the win while Wesley Fields again showed his scoring touch with 19 points. Ernest Jameson is looking the real deal so far this season with 24 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. The Lakers turned the ball over 30 times in this game, put down to our wonderful defence.

Memphis Grizzlies 6-23

Our last game of the month is a 119-108 defeat to the Spurs as Dwight Howard put up 25 points and 10 rebounds while former Knick JR Smith had 20 points. Mike Conley had 21 points and Jarrett Jack had 19 points but with Dwight Howard on the opposite team it’s going to be a hard game to win.

Memphis Grizzlies 6-24

Even though we went 1-4 with Eddie Jordan we were shooting better and playing better defence (a little better). Prospects Wesley Fields and Hassan Benton were getting playing time as well which I love. We are sitting at the bottom of the West with a 6-24 record, while the Lakers are right with us at 6-22. Minnesota are at the opposite end with a 26-5 record with New Orleans only half a game back.

In the East it’s New York, Charlotte and Detroit sitting equal at the top as my old team is continuing on with my good work. I’m not bitter I swear. Brooklyn is last at 8-24 which would just make the Knicks fans so much happier.

Memphis Top Points
David Lee – 15.3
Jarrett Jack – 14.5
Marcin Gortat – 13.7

Memphis Top Assists
Mike Conley – 5.0
Jarrett Jack – 4.7
Gary Neal – 1.6

Memphis Top Rebounds
David Lee – 7.7
Marcin Gortat – 7.2
Jarrett Jack – 4.0

League Top Points
Kevin Durant (OKC) – 36.9
Lebron James (MIA) – 30.1
Kevin Love (MIN) – 28.7

League Top Assists
Kyrie Irving (CLE) – 10.7
John Wall (WAS) – 10.4
Grevis Vasquez (SAS) – 9.8

League Top Rebounds
Kevin Love (MIN) – 13.0
Derrick Favors (UTA) – 12.2
Dwight Howard (SAS) – 11.8

Rookie Top Efficiency
Dave Webb (BKL) – 13.2 (10.4 points, 1.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.5 blocks)
Pat Archie (DAL) – 11.7 (10.5 points, 2.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.8 blocks)
Paul Orvis (TOR) – 9.3 (8.4 points, 1.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 0.9 blocks)

First Round of NBA Draft Prospects

1. C Mark Lewis (NC State), Freshman, 6’11”, 252lbs
19.1 points, 3.1 assists, 11.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 1.2 steals

2. C Travis Ross (Dayton), Sophomore, 6’11”, 281lbs
23.5 points, 2.6 assists, 10.2 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 1.0 steal

3. SG Joe Abney (Iowa), Sophomore, 6’7”, 208lbs
22.5 points, 4.7 assists, 7.4 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 1.0 steal

4. PF Borut Peschat (Slovenia), 20 years old, 6’10”, 229lbs
20.6 points, 2.7 assists, 8.5 rebounds, 1.0 block, 1.2 steals

5. C Mark Hill (Temple), Senior, 6’9”, 279lbs
19.9 points, 3.2 assists, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.0 steal

[PointGuard]

Geez, I'm beginning to feel bad having recommended you go with Memphis, but you now have no where to go but up. I'm hoping the owner remembers he told you he doesn't care if the team wins. "Hey boss...just following orders."

[Cleasby]

This year will be tough just make sure you draft well

[Rizzo]

Geez, I'm beginning to feel bad having recommended you go with Memphis, but you now have no where to go but up. I'm hoping the owner remembers he told you he doesn't care if the team wins. "Hey boss...just following orders."

I'm almost feeling bad too but at least when hey start winning it will feel that much sweeter. Have you given a look at certain prospects that you have your eyes on?

[zike_42]

Geez, I'm beginning to feel bad having recommended you go with Memphis, but you now have no where to go but up. I'm hoping the owner remembers he told you he doesn't care if the team wins. "Hey boss...just following orders."

My focus now is squarely on this coming off-season. We have nearly $57 million coming off the cap and that is without Tony Allen's team option last season which I will definitely be taking (around $9 million). Lebron James, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love and Anthony Davis are all free agents to just start with but I need to still have the job or it will be all to waste.

[zike_42]

I'm almost feeling bad too but at least when hey start winning it will feel that much sweeter. Have you given a look at certain prospects that you have your eyes on?

This year's draft will be a two horse race, both centres. Mark Lewis is a freshman from NC State while Travis Ross is a sophomore from Dayton. Ross is a better player at the moment (and bigger) but Lewis is the way to go at this stage.