The Grizzlies finished the NBA preseason 2-6, and honestly there wasn't much to get fired up about. They still can't rebound. The veterans acquired in a trade with Minnesota haven't added much. There's still too much one-on-one play and a lack of ball movement.
"We're having a problem scoring and getting good looks," second-year Grizzlies' coach Marc Iavaroni said. "We've got to learn how to deal with physical play." When it went bad for the Grizzlies during preseason games, it's the same thing that plagued them last year during their second straight 22-win season. During their offensive sets, the Grizzlies panicked and began trying to break down their defenders. Even one of the newest Grizzlies, rookie guard O.J. Mayo, could see the problem.
"We have to believe in our system," Mayo. "At times we click. We're a better running team than in the half court. We have to do a better job on defense because we can't run if we're constantly taking the ball out of the basket."
COACHING STAFF: Head Coach -- Marc Iavaroni, 2nd year overall, 2nd with Grizzlies (22-60). Assistants -- Kevin O'Neill, Johnny Davis, Andy Greer, David Joerger, Ron DuBois.
LAST SEASON, REMEMBERED: 22-60 (5th in the Southwest)
THIS SEASON, PREDICTED: 32-50 (5th in the Southwest).
POSSIBLE CHANGES, PREDICTED: The Grizzlies are overloaded with guards, and some of them are trade bait. Veteran guard Greg Buckner will probably contribute the most of any of the vets added in the trade from Minnesota. Late free agent signee Quinton Ross may jump into the eight-player rotation. Second-year guard Mike Conley's game will take a huge jump this year, as did Rudy Gay's game last year.
