Links: Linkstravaganza!

Sorry for the lack of updates and links lately. New job = new work schedule. To make up for it, here's an extra-large helping of links.

Rudy Gay is in the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest. He will be facing reigning champ Gerald Green, the man-beast who should have won last year in Dwight Howard and rookie surprise Jamario Moon. He is asking for all the help he can get, as he is requesting that fans offer submissions via YouTube that could assist him in capturing the crown. Go to http://www.youtube.com/rudygay22slamdunk for all the details.




The Ahwatukee Foothills News (real paper, I swear) has a great look at the story of Eric McMahon, known to the readers of this blog as "Grizz", the mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies. McMahon found out that he has Hodgkin's lymphoma in December and the article provides several details about his battle to recover. As a reminder, you can send cards and get well wishes to McMahon at 191 Beale St., Memphis, Tenn., 38103, or email him at grizz@grizzlies.com.

Ben Q. Rock over at Third Quarter Collapse has a recap of last night's game up that is fair, if a little harsh in its frankness. Actually, I think he's just happy that they blew us out last night, since we beat them on their home floor in the first meeting this year. It seems to have restored his faith in his team's postseason chances, even if he isn't willing to admit it.

While we didn't get a chance to meet up with Matt from Blog a Bull while he was in town for the MLK Day game, I did enjoy his recap of the experience, as well as his post this morning about the "return of Kirk", since Hinrich has been one of my favorite players going back to his college days at Kansas.

After you check out our postgame thoughts and comments, make sure you look at the recaps that the guys at Beale Street Beat and Grizzlies Locker have been putting up.

Warren Blatt asks the question, "Is trading Gasol the way to go for Memphis?". He reaches the same conclusion as most of the rest of the sports writing nation and offers the same stale proposal involving Chicago as a trade partner. Well better late than never on that bandwagon, I suppose.

It appears that at least one Chicago sportswriter isn't completely enamored with the idea of acquiring post player extraordinaire Pau Gasol.

Speaking of Gasol and trade rumors, at least he's not letting them affect him, according to this article from the Chicago Sun-Times.

Head over to David's Memphis Grizzlies Blog to see what a way-less-than-happy Grizz fan looks/sounds like.

Check out drewcasey.net for the viewpoint of a vocal fan/season ticket holder of the Grizzlies.

ESPN's David Thorpe covers which sophmore players are doing well, and not-so-surprisingly he came to the conclusion that Rudy Gay is pretty darn good, coming in at #2 on the list. Kyle Lowry also received mention, although Thorpe made the same classic blunder in his evaluation as most "experts" do, in assuming that Lowry needs to be moved since Conley is the starter.

FOX Sports' Mike Kahn with earth-shattering news: He thinks Darko Milicic is the biggest bust in the NBA since 2001. He reached that conclusion even when he had Nikoloz Tskitishvili in the discussion. The same Skita that is no longer even in the league. *sigh* Mike, I've never liked your writing, so thanks for allowing me to continue down that same path.

USA Today has a very good article titled "Foreign rookies face world of change" that looks at what international players have to deal with in terms of transitioning to the NBA and living in America. "La Bomba" is mentioned and you can see by the charts that JCN stacks up very well in comparison to the other foreign rookies.

Speaking of rookies, here is a post dedicated to those feeling the effects of the dreaded eventuality that is the "Rookie Wall".

While the Grizzlies might not be good right now, at least they aren't the Miami Heat. I can neither confirm nor deny my involvement with this piece of humorous writing, but I will say that I approve the intended message.

Hardwood Paroxysm released Part Two of the phenomenal saga that is the Birth of a Division.

We did our own Mid-Season Review, but I must tip my hat and bow before the majesty that is The Dream Shake for their 80's Mid Season Review which left me speechless. I thoroughly enjoyed Chris Herrington's mid-season report, as well. Make sure you go over to SI.com to see Jack McCallum's take on all 30 teams, too.

Blog/Website of the Day: The Wizznutzz