All-Star Flame Out...Again

Well the All-Star Game celebrations are over for the Memphis Grizzlies and once again the results were less than hoped for by Memphis fans.

The Rookie-Sophomore shootout (it was hardly a contest) was a bomb, literally. Game MVP Daniel 'Boobie' Gibson from Cleveland took 20 three point shots and made 11. Yes he took 20 three point attempts, made 11 and didn't set the single game scoring record. It appears this game is supposed to make the teams that are rebuilding feel better that their players are represented. Memphis had three participants in the game. Seattle had two as did Portland, Utah and Toronto. Only one player will be suiting up Sunday as well (Brandon Roy of Portland).

Rudy Gay was 9-12 in the game but was ignored frequently when open under the basket or on breaks in favor or Boobie Gibson's three point shots or other selfish plays. Juan Carlos Navarro chipped in with 14 points on 6-11 shooting including and 4 assists but was ridiculed in the game by the broadcasters most often by Charles Barkely who's most recent athletic accomplishment was defeating an old man in a foot race. Mike Conley apparently didn't get the memo that this was supposed to be a 'me first' game as he dealt out 8 assists but only took three shots. Conley also committed 5 turnovers but most were caused by trying to be too sharing with the ball and catching people off guard. John Hollinger graded the Grizzlies this way: Rudy Gay - A, Juan Carlos Navarro - C, Mike Conley - D.

The Slam Dunk Contest was a continuation of the frustration for Memphis fans. Rudy Gay scored an inexplicable 36 points on his first dunk despite the high degree of difficulty. While Rudy's dunk was spectacular by itself, it was not up to the standards set that night. However his score came before the other dunks. Many dunks scored higher in the past were far less spectacular. Not that it mattered as Rudy was obviously not in the class of creativity and explosion as Howard and Green. So for the third time the Grizzlies have someone competing in the Slam Dunk contest and once again he failed to advance joining Hakim Warrick and Stromile Swift in that regard. The off-the stanchion slam dunk was impressive and showed what Rudy is capable of doing but it was too little too late this year.

The commentators didn't give Rudy much of a hope to begin but they did make a good point at the same time. Rudy is a game dunker not a showcase dunker. While he may not be as impressive as Gerald Green or Dwight Howard he is also most likel the one player capable of doing an incredible dunk in a game. Dunks off the back of the glass, in a Superman cape and even blowing out a cupcake make for some incredible creativity and showmanship you aren't likely to see one of those in a game. Rudy's first dunk was not only impressive in that format but is something he may pull off in a game as well. As a ticket buying fan that is more impressive to me.

When you throw in Pau Gasol being the only player not to score in his all-star appearnace (and getting faced by Ben Wallace on back to back shot attempts) the Memphis Grizzlies record in these events is rather poor.

The next thing the Grizzlies have to look forward to is their 4th game against Seattle on Tuesday night. The Grizzlies have won the previous three games and a clean sweep would be a nice accomplishment in what has been a disappointing season.

Links: Rudy's Dunk Blog, Sam Smith's Backtracking, Mascot News

Rudy Gay has had a pretty big year so far. On his All-Star Dunk Blog, he answered a few questions from the fans and thanked all the fans who have sent in entries for him to use in the dunk contest. He also had a strong statement for MVP candidate Dwight Howard:

Before I go, I have a message for Dwight:

You have that idea about moving the goal to 12 feet? If you want to do it, go ahead and do it. I'm pretty confident in my jumping ability. If you go before me, I'll leave it up there and do my dunk.

That, my friends, takes cajones the size of basketballs, given the known quantity that is Dwight's athletic ability. If anyone can pull it off, I believe that #22 can.

It appears that Sam Smith is reconsidering his well-known obsession with Pau Gasol. In a recent mailbag, he had the following exchange:

Chris Feldman, Dubuque, Iowa: What is with the obsession with Pau Gasol? OK, he's a big who can score. However, he's definitely not a superstar, and he's not tough. The last time the Bulls traded for a mid-level superstar who fit those qualifications (Jalen Rose), it cost them Ron Artest, Brad Miller, and other parts of the core, and the team still floundered. I'd almost rather see the Bulls pick up someone like Jason Kidd, who at least is willing to drive to the basket once in a while and make his teammates better, even though he isn't a big. Am I nuts for thinking that taking the best player off a team with a worse record than the Bulls isn't the answer?

Sam Smith: Not completely. I don't believe there's an obsession since they haven't gotten him. He's a nice piece, but it tells you something when the Bulls won't give up one of their starters. They know Gasol's flaws. Everyone does. After all, it's not easy to be 0-12 in playoff games in your career. That's why no team can give up much for him. He's injury prone and not a big rebounder. Defense isn't a priority. He's hardly well regarded in Memphis. I believe they end up keeping him because they don't get a big offer and maybe do something with him around draft time. As for losing Artest and Miller, it hardly made a difference and perhaps saved plenty of embarrassment. Jalen just didn't care to defend. He was hardly a big problem.

Well, well, well, doesn't Smith sound like the victim of unrequited love? Since there is virtually no way that Pau is headed to the Windy City, ol' Sam is backtracking to make it seem like they didn't lose out on anything now. Pau's 0-12 record in the playoffs will keep as many people away as stopped Danny Ainge from taking on KG's history of postseason failure. Not a big rebounder? He's averaging 8.8 rpg this season and 8.6 rpg for his career. To put that in perspective, the Bulls currently have zero players besting him in that department. That includes the great and powerful Ben Wallace. Pssst.....he also blocks more shots per game than anyone on their team, even though defense isn't a priority. But you couldn't use a guy like that, right Sam? In two years, expect a Rudy Gay to Chicago in exchange for Thabo Sefolosha and a 2nd round pick from him. He's nothing if not predictable.

The Grizzlies are doing something to improve the game experiences by inviting other teams' mascots to perform at games in the absence of Eric McMahon, the man behind the mask of beloved team icon Grizz. From Grizzlies.com:

Beginning with Saturday’s game against Utah, a different mascot will be appearing at almost every Grizzlies home game through the end of the season. The schedule of appearances is listed below.

To show their support for McMahon while he undergoes treatment, each mascot is traveling to Memphis at their own expense or their team’s expense to help entertain Grizzlies fans at FedExForum.

Fans can show their support as well by purchasing a Friends of Grizz wristband for $3 from the Grizzlies Den Team Store at FedExForum. Proceeds from the sale of the wristbands will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The organization is also continuing the Friends of Grizz program, where patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and their families are invited on behalf of Grizz to each home game as a show of solidarity for their battle and his.

Fans can send get well wishes to Eric online, by mail: care of Grizz, to 191 Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee, 38103, or via e-mail. Fans wishing to donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital can log on to www.stjude.org.

Obviously, this is great news for fans and should provide something to help lift the spirits of Eric and his family. Get well soon Eric.

Rudy, Conley, JCN invited to T-Mobile Rookie Challenge

Rudy Gay, Mike Conley and Juan Carlos Navarro were all invited to participate in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. The head coaches for the Rookie and Sophomore teams will be the lead assistants from the 2007 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs.

The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam will be televised live nationally on TNT and also will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio, while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages.

ROOKIE TEAM ROSTER
Mike Conley - Memphis
Kevin Durant - Seattle
Jeff Green - Seattle
Al Horford - Atlanta
Jamario Moon - Toronto
Juan Carlos Navarro - Memphis
Luis Scola - Houston
Sean Williams - New Jersey
Yi Jianlian - Milwaukee

SOPHOMORE TEAM ROSTER
LaMarcus Aldridge - Portland
Andrea Bargnani - Toronto
Ronnie Brewer - Utah
Jordan Farmar - L.A. Lakers
Rudy Gay - Memphis
Daniel Gibson - Cleveland
Paul Millsap - Utah
Rajon Rondo - Boston
Brandon Roy - Portland