Another promising season ended
painfully for the Grizzlies, as a first-round sweep by Dallas left their
all-time playoff record at a miserable 0-12. The off-season wasn't much better,
as star Pau Gasol broke his foot at the Worlds and will be out until at least
December
Gasol's injury was a shame because
the Grizzlies had a decent off-season. Looking for a potential scorer to
play alongside star Pau Gasol, Memphis traded Shane Battier to Houston in June
for the draft rights to Rudy Gay and they got back
Stromile Swift in the deal, while also adding first-round pick Kyle Lowry from
Villanova.
Without Gasol, the Grizzlies look to
struggle, particularly early. Gasol led the Grizzlies in points, rebounds
and assists in 12 games last season, and he was one of only three players in the
league to finish as his team's leader in all three categories and the
Grizzlies get Detroit, Phoenix, the Lakers, Kings, and Mavericks, all on the
road, in their first nine games
Guards Damon Stoudamire, Eddie Jones,
Dahntay Jones, and Chucky Atkins are an overall weak group. Too old, too slow,
and not nearly explosive enough, the Grizzlies' guards simply won't be able to
keep up the offensive pace
