--The Grizzlies (1-7) are off to their worst start since 2006-07, when they started 1-8. They can tie that mark at Houston on Wednesday. Memphis has the worst record in the Western Conference and has lost its last eight games to the Trail Blazers. --Without AWOL guard Allen Iverson, Zach Randolph is the oldest veteran on the Grizzlies. Randolph, who has had his moments of immaturity on almost every team on which he has played, is shockingly showing some leadership on a very shaky team. "We were supposed to win Sacramento, we could have won against the (L.A.) Clippers and we had a chance to win Golden State," Randolph said. "It's tough, but it's the NBA and it's early. Guys can't get down. We have to stay focused.
"Iverson is a big part of this team and we're behind him, but we have to keep on pushing. We're really trying to pull this thing together."
--Coach Lionel Hollins said Portland is at a level where he'd like the Grizzlies to be.
"I hope they have some frustration," Hollins said of his players. "If you're a competitor, you should have some frustration. You want to win. These kinds of games are the kind you've got to be in at the end. We're working to get the right mindframe, but the execution has to be consistent for 48 minutes."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Allen Iverson has to do what's best for him and his family. If it doesn't involve playing with the Grizzlies, then it doesn't. If it does, then we'll keep trying to figure it out and get it going in the right direction." -- Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins
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