Awesome and emotional recap of the Grizzlies’ 2011 playoff run
The Grizzlies season ended following a hard-fought and painful game seven loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Grizzlies as the road team going into a hostile arena and as the eighth seed were the massive underdogs for the final game of the series.
The game itself wasn’t as close as many Grizzlies fans expected but those same fans won’t look at the final score of game seven to define the Grizzlies season or their truly special playoff run.
Before the playoffs began no one outside of Charles Barkley believed the Grizzlies would get out of the first round. Even many hardcore Grizzlies fans limited their expectations to one or two wins.
But the Grizzlies‘ players were not satisfied with getting the 0-12 playoff record monkey off their backs. After they stole game one in San Antonio behind clutch play and solid defense, everything changed.
The Grizzlies were not going to be a one-trick pony that many experts expected. Following their game one victory, the Grizzlies held down their home court and finished the Spurs off in six games.
The atmosphere in the arena and on Beale Street was truly special following each of the Grizzlies playoff wins. The city and the national press finally began to believe in this team.
Each time the Grizzlies lost the momentum they got it back, each time the Spurs believed the young team would choke, they didn’t.
In game one and three the Grizzlies lost fourth quarter leads to the Spurs, only to call a timeout which was followed by a clutch three-point shot from the most likely (or unlikely) of suspects.
Shane Battier, the player who personified the Grizzlies franchise in the beginning years delivered the game one victory.
Zach Randolph the player who personifies a city of hard workers and Memphis as a place for second chances delivered wins in game three and game six.
Even as the Grizzlies held a 3-1 series lead on the Spurs and dominated three out of four games, sports journalists everywhere believed the Spurs would come back.
But it wouldn’t be Memphis basketball if there wasn’t that us against the world mentality that served to bond the city and the team.
Following the heartbreaking game five overtime loss the Grizzlies responded by wrapping up the series on their home court to the delight of the entire city.
The Grizzlies showed the same resiliency during their conference semifinal match-up against the Oklahoma City, Thunder. After winning game six late Friday night, the Grizzlies traveled to Oklahoma City for a noon game one match-up the following Sunday.
The Grizzlies again stole game one on the opponent’s home court. After the Thunder tied the series at 1-1 the Grizzlies returned home and once again illustrated what type of team they have become.
This team came back from a 16-point third quarter deficit and 11-point deficit with less than eight minutes left in the game. The Grizzlies forced the game into overtime and than once again out-performed a team with more playoff experience.
Although the Grizzlies lost the next two games, they bounced back and won game six at home.
Grizzlies’ fans were able to experience the thrill of a playoff victory one more time. The players once again showed their “never say die attitude” and survived to play the first game seven of the 2011 playoffs.
When perennial winners such as the Lakers and the Celtics sat at home watching the playoffs, the Grizzlies were still playing.
That fact in itself shows how far the Grizzlies have come and how different the NBA landscape has become.
Although the Grizzlies didn’t win game seven to continue their Cinderella story, fans and players can take many positives away from the Grizzlies series with the Thunder.
The Grizzlies came within a couple bounces of the basketball from the Conference Finals. If the Grizzlies had pulled out a victory in the epic game four triple overtime thriller, they would have won the series.
The Grizzlies took a team with two All-Star players including the NBA’s leading scorer, Kevin Durant, to seven games without their second leading scorer Rudy Gay.
This playoff run represents just the beginning for this young and upcoming team who has all of its primary pieces (other than Marc Gasol who is a restricted free agent) resigned through the 2011-2012 season.
After the Grizzlies’ gutsy and inspired playoff run, the entire city believes in this team and its potential. For Grizzlies fans and players, the fun of playoff victories has just begun.
Memphis fans greet their team as they return from game seven in Oklahoma City.
The Grizzlies are in the midst of seven straight games against teams destined for the playoffs. This stretch includes games against, the Spurs (twice), Hornets, Knicks, Thunder, and Dallas. The Grizzlies are 3-3 during this stretch.
The final game of the seven game stretch occurs Saturday against the Miami; the Grizzlies will battle for a season sweep against the Heat and a winning record during these seven games.
The Grizzlies’ intensity and gutty play against some of the best teams in the NBA has in general reassured fans that the Grizzlies can make some noise in the playoffs.
The Grizzlies have had many highs and lows during this stretch. Here is a recap:
Zach Randolph makes two critical free throws as the Grizzlies hold off the Thunder
The Good The Grizzlies overcame a 17-point halftime deficit in Dallas to beat the Mavericks on a last second Zach Randolph buzzer beater. The Mavericks dominated the Grizzlies in the first half, until they scored 41 points in the third quarter.
The Grizzlies are now the only team in the NBA to have three wins against the Mavericks, with two victories in Dallas.
The Grizzlies’ ability to play with the best teams in the NBA will be important in the playoffs, when the Grizzlies will face the Spurs, Mavericks or Lakers in the first round.
Here are the Grizzlies records against the top teams in the West:
Spurs (1-2): One loss was in overtime and the other was not decided until the last minute Lakers (2-2): Three of the four games were close until the end Mavericks (3-1): The Grizzlies have two victories by a combined two points in Dallas Thunder (3-1): The Grizzlies have three hard fought wins against the Thunder (one in Oklahoma City without Rudy Gay)
The Grizzlies are 9-6 against the best four teams in the West. In Miami, the Heat fans would take that record any day.
The Bad The Grizzlies have a couple of ugly losses including games against the Hornets and Knicks. In both games the Grizzlies started slowly and their offensive was not in sync until it was too late.
The Hornets maintained a comfortable lead for most of the game, until the Grizzlies made a run in the fourth quarter. However after Marc Gasol missed two free throws in the final minute, the Hornets had a comfortable four point lead.
The Grizzlies have had their issues with the Hornets and will face them two more times before the end of the season.
The Grizzlies must translate the intensity they bring against the best teams in the NBA into their games against teams they are battling with for playoff position.
The game versus the Knicks mirrored the Hornets game in many ways. Although the Grizzlies started slowly, the Knicks were on fire offensively. At one point in the first quarter the Knicks had a shooting percentage of over 80 percent.
The Grizzlies stormed back from 10 down in the last three minutes to tie the game. However following Carmelo Anthony’s heartbreaking jumper shot over Tony Allen, fans had to wonder if the Grizzlies started their push too late in the game.
Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur battles Amare Stoudemire for positioning, the Grizzlies lost on a last second shot by Carmelo Anthony
The Good The Grizzlies are winning against some of the best teams in the NBA without second leading scorer and “Mr. Clutch” Rudy Gay. This is a comforting fact to many Grizzlies fans that see a team growing by the day without its franchise star.
Each player has stepped up in different ways, Zach Randolph has become the clutch scorer and Gasol has become a skilled first half offensive machine.
Other Grizzlies players have become more comfortable in their roles. Allen and Shane Battier have transformed the Grizzlies into a tough defensive team.
The Bad The Grizzlies schedule does not get any easier as the season ends and Phoenix, Houston and Utah are too close for comfort.
The Grizzlies still have to play the Spurs, Knicks, Celtics, Bulls, Hornets (twice) and Jazz in the next month. The Grizzlies have yet to record a win against the Bulls, Celtics or the Hornets.
The Best The Grizzlies will also face the Clippers three times and other winnable games including the Kings, Timberwolves, Pacers, and the Warriors.
Gay will be reevaluated this week and will hopefully return to the court in the next week or two.
If the Grizzlies continue their rugged, intense play, they will have a good chance to record a winning record for the rest of the season and reach the playoffs for the first time in the last five years.
It would be interesting if Grizzlies website included hyper-links to the rumors from selected websites, and allowed Grizzlies fans, management, and players provide comments on the Grizzlies website. This would make the Grizzlies website more relevant for day-to-day interest.
Do you use social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs)? If so, how often?
Yes, several times each day – about 30 minutes cumulatively.
How do you use social media for fun/hobby (for sports news, information or entertainment), for work, or both?
Fun/hobby: Interpersonal messages and information.
Has social media had a general impact on your interest in the Grizzlies?
No, I follow the Grizzlies via internet sports websites.
How do you communicate/interact with other fans/friends who share your interest in the Grizzlies?
Three or four times each week via email. Most of this interaction is with people who I have learned have interest in the NBA. A surprising number of basketball fans in Memphis are not interested in both the Grizzlies and the Memphis Tigers – they prefer one but not the other. So I discuss Grizzlies with one set of fans, and I discuss Tigers with another set of basketball fans.
What types of blog posts about the Grizzlies might you like to read (game recaps, editorials about the team, players or management, my personal Grizzlies stories, etc)?
• Editorials about the team
• Stories about the players and their families
• Stories about the coaches and their families. e.g., Coach Hollins’ son was a top high school player in the area – but many Grizzlies fans don’t know it and would find it of interest.
Where do you go for news and information about the Grizzlies (traditional news organizations such as The Commercial Appeal or more untraditional outlets such as blogs or Twitter)?
Are you more likely or unlikely to read blogs associated with traditional news organizations (for example The Commercial Appeal has its Memphis Edge blog)?
Yes. I assume that even the rumors are better founded.
What are the most important elements in your decision where to find information about the Grizzlies?
Receive email alerts [from sports websites] of interesting NBA stories.
Would the gender of a Grizzlies blogger affect your decision to read the blog (in a positive or negative way)?
Gender would have no effect on my decision, or on my view of blogger’s credibility. Although, I’d be interested in biographical phrases that identify who the blogger is.
Do you read any local or national Grizzlies blogs and if so which ones?
Who is your favorite Grizzlies player and what is your most memorable Grizzlies game (from this season or a past season)? Who is your favorite Grizzlies player of all-time?
My favorite player of all time is Shane Battier – a great draft pick. Shane is a true winner, and the consummate professional as a player.My favorite player now is Zach Randolph.
In the 2002-2003 season the Grizzlies won only 23 games – but pulled-out a stunning and unexpected home upset against a dominant Lakers team which featured Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, and which went on to win that season’s NBA Championship.
Our fourth quarter “BEAT L.A.” chants was huge fun, and left a sweet and lasting memory.
Tony Allen post game interview following Grizzlies victory over Oklahoma City in January. History repeated itself last Wednesday with another Grizzlies win over the Thunder.
The writer called the Grizzlies a mediocre team and classified the Thunder’s loss as a “bad one.”
While I agree with Mayberry on one of these claims, I completely disagree with the other.
This was a “bad loss” for the Thunder for two reasons, the absence of the Grizzlies’ primary scorer and only same-size defender for Kevin Durant in Rudy Gay, and the Grizzlies grueling four games in five night schedule.
And yes, every NBA team has to undergo the rigorous stretches in the schedule, San Antonio has the rodeo road trip, the Lakers have the Grammy road trip and every team has played four games in five nights.
But these stretches do take a toll on most NBA players.
So the Grizzlies played an overtime heartbreaker on Saturday night in Houston, a rough physical game against the two-time defending champions in Memphis on Monday, and another overtime game in Oklahoma City in the span of four days.
As for the absence of Rudy Gay, the team got help from an unlikely source, Tony Allen. His defense on the much larger Durant was spectacular but the real surprise was his offense.
The same offense that makes fans wince as he goes flying the basket with reckless abandon. Instead of the usual missed layup or offensive charge Allen tied the game with his three-point play with less than a minute to go.
But his impact wasn’t about one play or a collection of plays; it was feeling he brought to the court.
Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said Tony Allen won the game for the Grizzlies. It’s true, if Allen wasn’t on the court the Grizzlies would have lost.
But he brings something else to the team, a confidence that they can beat anyone, anytime. This for the young, inexperienced Grizzlies is invaluable.
Back to Mayberry, I would argue if the Grizzlies are a mediocre team then the loss becomes much worse for the Thunder. They lost at home to an undermanned and exhausted Grizzlies team.
Every team has bad games (the Grizzlies have had some whoppers) and some games are just isolated incidents.
But this game has implications for both teams outside of its three hour duration. The Thunder and their quest to be an elite team in the western conference seem far from possible.
The Spurs and the Lakers will be almost impossible to beat in a seven game series.
For the Grizzlies it was a gut-check victory, a season-defining win.
If the Grizzlies lose to the Thunder their record drops back to five hundred, with the win the Grizzlies remain two games above and two games from Portland for the eight playoff spot.
This is also the second straight Grizzlies’ victory over the Thunder. So Wednesday night, the Grizzlies looked far from mediocre.
Although the Grizzlies lost to the Lakers, this pretty play by Marc Gasol brought a smile to fans.
Oh those Grizzlies, Lakers games. A part of me hates the spectacle and a part of me loves it. I mean who doesn’t love to see Snoop Dogg sitting courtside.
I love it, because it gives the local team and its fans a taste of what the Lakers experience every game, a sold-out arena and success. And if any NBA franchise deserves a little taste of success it’s the “0-12 in the playoffs” Grizzlies.
I hate it, because half of FedEx Forum is filled with those Memphians dressed in purple and gold known as “bandwagon fans.” Those fans that cheer for the Celtics, the Patriots, and the Yankees because of there continued success.
If you are one of these fans, please avoid section 110 so I can enjoy the game and my beer without a purple and gold confrontation.
Here is a newsflash: there is an NBA team active in the race for the final playoff spot in your city. The fans it Cleveland, Washington, or Toronto would love to say that. But they can’t.
Those same fans would love to have a young budding superstar like Rudy Gay, a player who left a championship caliber team to mentor a young team like Tony Allen, and lastly and most importantly a player that fights for every rebound like its his last game, like Zach Randolph.
And yes, the Grizzlies are nowhere near perfect. OJ Mayo has been a massive disappointment on and off the court, Thabust continues to make fans cringe, and our defense disappears for quarters at a time.
Additionally any Grizzlies fan has to look back to those “winnable” games and wonder what could have been. If the Grizzlies had won four out of these seven (Golden State, Washington, Cleveland, Nets (twice), Kings, and Bobcats), they would be comfortably in the eight spot.
But coming from a fan who has attended too many games during three 20 wins season in a row, there is plenty to cheer about.
The Grizzlies have beaten every team they could potentially face in the playoffs, including the Lakers (twice), Mavericks (twice), and Thunder (twice) other than the Spurs who they took to overtime in San Antonio without Rudy Gay.
I also have experienced first-hand the joys of success after many, many years of struggles. My dad has been a New Orleans Saints fan for 35-years of futility and heartbreak. The Saints like the Grizzlies were winless in the playoffs in their early history.
But a Superbowl rings makes fans and players forget about those early failures. It gives you a taste of success they no player or fan forgets.
The Grizzlies are not poised for a championship run this year, but making the playoffs, and winning one or more games could do a lot for the team and the city.
And hey, if we happen to play the Lakers who knows what will happen.
Maybe we will get swept, maybe we will break the 0-12 curse or maybe we will pull a Golden State underdog type victory and shock Laker Nation.
I know I would love to see those purple and gold clad fans walking away disappointed.
So I implore all you “bandwagon fans” switch over to the local team’s wagon and trust me you will enjoy the ride.
iheartgrizz 