Month: November 2001

The Memphis Grizzlies once again failed to tally a regular season win with a 94-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The loss wasn’t due to a lack of effort from the birthday boy, Memphis center Lorenzen Wright, who scored 33 points and pulled in 26 rebounds. The effort solidifies Wright’s place as one of the league’s top five rebounders.

But that was about all the Grizzlies had going. Point guard Jason Williams scored 21 points and forward Shane Battier scored 11 and recorded four steals in the losing effort.

But in an evening that featured a lackluster Dallas Mavericks team (with the exception of Juwan Howard, see below), the Grizzlies squandered opportunity after opportunity with turnovers, bad shots, and a general lack of hustle.

All that, and the team shot poorly, hitting only 34% of their shots. “We had one of those offensive nights again,” head coach Sidney Lowe said after the game with an intentional pun. “We didn’t shoot the ball well. You can’t win like that.”

But Lowe was quick to point out the positives of the game, starting with Wright. “Lorenzen had a monster game,” Lowe said. “You can count on him playing hard every night.” However, Lowe also knows that this Memphis squad has very little margin for error. “We don’t have a guy to go to and carry us. When we have five or six guys [who perform], we can win games.”

Of the negatives, Lowe mentioned again the lack of shooting prowess by the team. Most notably there is shooting guard Michael Dickerson, who scored only 3 points this game. “He’s just having a tough time shooting the ball,” Lowe said. “But, as a coach, there’s not much you can do.”

Also problematic are Grizzlies turnovers. The Grizz gave up 20 possessions worth 17 Mavericks’ points this evening with point guard Jason Williams accounting for five of them, including a critical turnover late in the game when Williams tried a behind the back lob to Wright who wasn’t looking for the play. The result was that instead of cutting the Mavericks’ lead to three, Mavericks’ guard Tim Hardaway stole the ball, passed to guard Mike Finley, and Finley dunked it to make the lead seven.

“I’ve never been with a point guard who passes that way,” Wright, who was playing on his 26th birthday, said after the game. “We have to learn how to play with each other.”

Wright also talked a little about this season’s early losing streak. “We hate to lose,” he said. “We’re working so hard.” About his own big game, Wright is as humble as his numbers are audacious. “I’m always a rebounder first,” he said. “I took advantage of opportunities. I don’t need to be anything. I just need to win.”

In his way during the game was Howard who scored 36 points, leading all scorers. The Mavericks’ only other offense was from guard Michael Finley who scored 24 points. Back up guard Tim Hardaway contributed 13. In the rebounding category, Mavericks’ forward Danny Manning pulled in 11.

The Grizzlies go on the road for the next three games, traveling to the Phoenix Suns, the L.A. Clippers, and the L.A. Lakers.

ItÕs hours before tip-off on the night of the GrizzliesÕ season opener and the Pyramid is buzzing. Everyone is antsy, excited, and sporting Christmas day grins. Security guards straighten their tuxedos, vendors lay out their wares, and NBA Commissioner David Stern holds a press conference, setting out his wishes for the evening s events.

ÒNo injuries, no fights, and please donÕt let it be decided at the last minute on some referee s call that some people might find questionable – that s the commissionerÕs trinity,Ó says Stern.

On the floor of the gym the dancers warm up. But when one of the male dancers springs into a back handspring his footing slips and he lands on his elbow, grotesquely dislocating it and causing him to be taken to the Med.

ItÕs the nightÕs first injury and hopefully itÕs not an omen.

On one end of the court, Jake and Isaac Ford – brothers of Harold, Jr. – arrive early to scope out the crowd, on the other end City Council Chairman E.C. Jones beams and stares at the court like a proud papa.

ÒWe worked so hard for this, I m so excited,Ó says Councilwoman Tajuan Stout Mitchell. Ò She goes on to say that she heard that all of the hotel rooms downtown had been booked for the night. Maybe, just maybe – her statements seem to imply – this is all going to work.

As the Pyramid begins to fill, the excitement becomes intoxicating. A program vendor dances in his booth while selling programs, a huge group of Spaniards chant ÒPau Gasol!, Pau Gasol!Ó before the venue is even half-filled. Families wait in line at the CorkyÕs Barbecue stand, a clown walks around the perimeter juggling basketballs, and everyone is handed a small American flag as they enter.

The crowd thunders as the team is announced and positively erupts over Shane Battier and Lorenzen Wright. Isaac Hayes delivers the sexiest ÒGod Bless AmericaÓ ever and Mr. Britney Spears garners hearty applause from even boy-band weary adults.

Finally, itÕs time for the tip-off and the roar of the crowd is absolutely deafening. A few minutes later Michael Henderson scores the Memphis GrizzlyÕs first official basket – a three pointer from outside – and the the thrill of the moment reverberates all the way to the top point of the Pyramid.

Less than five minutes into the game, jersey vendors say theyÕve already sold out of Wright and Battier jerseys, ÒBut Jason Williams is selling good too.Ó

Despite all the fanfare, in between the fouls, jump shots, missed and made passes the crowd grows quiet. Only stunts like the ÒSmooch CamÓ or a kiddie dance contest elicit much response. ItÕs as if Memphis isnÕt quite sure how to act. A landed shot collects a respectable shout, but other moments stay awkwardly still.

By halftime the crowd has begun to warm up some – Memphis, it seems, is finding its rhythm. People begin to stand to cheer well-executed maneuvers, but only do so hesitantly. WeÕre shy, maybe. Maybe weÕre just not sure how we should act.

Going into the last quarter itÕs a two point game. Memphis might just pull this one off, seems to be the collective thought. Lots of people are standing now, jumping, fists pumping in the air, ÒDefense! Defense!Ó is the cheer of choice. All hopes are hanging – but by a rope, not a thread.

Then the clock winds further down.

With six minutes showing the Grizzlies are only down by three. Battier is on the bench, but Williams and Wright are in. The tension is hanging like fog – throughout the Pyramid teeth are gritting, everyone is braced – these are the moments that make sports worthwhile. This game can easily go either way and so Memphians start -leaving.

Picking up jackets and purses, they make their way out of the stands and down to the floor, waving goodbye to friends, walking past the ongoing game as they make their ways to the exits. Eager to get out and beat the traffic rush, it seems they ve already decided how this still-tight game will end.

About that time the momentum that the Grizzlies had been gaining just a sports minute earlier faded into squealing sneakers and the distant echo of a dribbling ball. Like SampsonÕs haircut, just as we began to give up on our team, their energy and skills began to dwindle.

With about three minutes left many fans had already written the team off, though the Grizzlies only trailed by eight points.

ÒThey tried, IÕm not disappointed,Ó one fan says to another.

ÒMaybe next time,Ó the other replies.

But the gameÕs not over – far from it. Particularly in basketball, the PistonsÕ lead is slim and certainly not a death sentence. But Williams has stopped taking shots. The life seems drained from the team. Unspectacular and lethargic our boys trot up and down the court – waiting for the last buzzer to sound so that they too may abandon this spectacle. With a final score of 90-80, the Pistons defeat the Grizzlies.

Covering my first NBA game, I didn t quite know what to expect. I ve always loved the NBA and so in many ways being able to watch a game from the floor was a dream come true and being able to talk to the players only made the event that much sweeter.

But I have to admit, getting a pat on the butt and a wink from Dana Barros as he and the other Pistons charged onto the court at the beginning of the fourth quarter wasnÕt what I had in mind when I switched my major from history to journalism. I guess I expected something a bit more austere. But still, writing about sports is more interesting than writing about MLG&W so I pressed on.

Besides, maybe BarrosÕ greeting served to prepare me for the events to come. I later learned that the media pass hanging around my neck granted me universal access. So after the game when the rest of the reporters rushed to the locker room, I followed and waited in the hall with everyone else.

After a few minutes the doors were opened and everyone pushed in, all eyes darting past the stew of towels, muscles, tattoos and braids to find the stars. (I was cautioned against describing this scene as Òa bag of mixed nuts.Ó) Someone spotted Shane Battier and all the reporters bum rushed him like he was a free food buffet. Shoving cameras in the obviously off-guard forwardÕs face they started showering him with questions (I couldn t think of any).

ÒShane, what did you think of tonight s game?Ó

But Shane had not even dressed yet. Looking embarrassed and under siege, he was pressed by the inquisitive masses up against the wall. In his boxers and surrounded by strangers (many of whom were bearing cameras, mikes, and very bright lights) – he had to give an impromptu press conference.

ÒIt was intense,Ó said Shane, as he gently attempted to clear enough room in the huddle so that he could get one leg into his pants.

ÒDid you expect StackhouseÕs performance?Ó

ÒStackhouse was tough,Ó he said as he puts his other leg in the pants.

ÒWhat do you think about how the team playedÓ asked the Commercial Appeal s Geoff Calkins.

ÒIt was a tough game.Ó Zip.

ÒIt was a really choppy game,Ó continued Battier, putting one sock on.

At this point he looked resolved. He seemed to understand that this was to be his fate. He will be answering questions on camera, in his underwear, for the rest of his basketball career. Other reporters began yelling questions from the back of the herd.

ÒWhat about scoring, Shane?Ó

ÒNeither team shot very well,Ó he said as he put on another sock.

ÒHow does the NBA differ from college.Ó

He slides his shirt over his head. ÒIt]s different, but not in a bad way.Ó Shoe.

ÒWe let this game get away.Ó The other shoe.

Perhaps a now fully dressed Shane can also get away.

A television crew from Spain was also in the locker, presumably to get post-game comments from Pau Gasol. But not being able to the find Pau, they reluctantly join the group of pushy local reporters. When Battier was first surrounded, the Spanish crew shoved their camera and mike on him too. Then, probably realizing that no one in Spain cares about Battier, they turned the camera and mike on me – apparently not yet realizing that no one in Spain cares about me either. So with a mike, camera and bright light in my face, I got my first question.

ÒWhat s it like to be a woman in the locker room?Ó

ÒHonestly, it s a little overwhelming,Ó I say, thinking that I never realized just how tall these guys were until I saw how much flesh they actually have.

As if on cue Grizzly guard Nick Anderson squeezed behind me, rubbing his damp towel (the only thing heÕs wearing) against my arm. I ve just learned that I m about ass-high to an NBA baller. This being the fourth time Anderson had brushed by me wearing only a towel I began to realize that this could be the hazing female sports reporters often say they must endure in order to be accepted. That or he was taking laps around the locker room.

The test, apparently, is this: How many times can a nearly naked man pass your sight line before you just give in and drop your eyes?

Trailing behind Anderson, MemphisÕ favorite son Lorenzen Wright eased through the crowd , also wearing only a towel.

ÒRen, how about a statement?Ó shouts George Lapides.

And all the cameras turn on Wright, now that Battier is dressed his post-game thoughts are no longer interesting.

Wright, however, is still naked, so itÕs his turn to get dressed on camera.

ÒIt s a disappointment,Ó Wright says, sliding his underwear on underneath the towel.

ÒWe really wanted to win,Ó as he leans over to put on both socks.

ÒI don t think I ever wanted to win a game as much as I wanted to win this game,Ó his words beginning to flow readily. Wright seems almost comfortable talking to strangers wearing only slightly more than his birthday suit.

In fact he and Anderson seem to have decided to forego clothes for the moment. Presumably giving interviews au naturel is not so awkward after all.

A girl could get used to this.

The Memphis Grizzlies once again failed to tally a regular season win with a 94-85 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The loss wasnÕt due to a lack of effort from Memphis center Lorenzen Wright, who scored 33 points and pulled in 26 rebounds. The effort solidifies WrightÕs place as one of the leagueÕs top five rebounders.

But that was about all the Grizzlies had going. Point guard Jason Williams scored 21 points and forward Shane Battier scored 11 and recorded four steals in the losing effort.

But in an evening that featured a lackluster Dallas Mavericks team (with the exception of Juwan Howard, see below), the Grizzlies squandered opportunity after opportunity with turnovers, bad shots, and a general lack of hustle.

All that, and the team shot poorly, hitting only 34% of their shots. ÒWe had one of those offensive nights again,Ó head coach Sidney Lowe said after the game with an intentional pun. ÒWe didnÕt shoot the ball well. You canÕt win like that.Ó

But Lowe was quick to point out the positives of the game, starting with Wright. ÒLorenzen had a monster game,Ó Lowe said. ÒYou can count on him playing hard every night.Ó However, Lowe also knows that this Memphis squad has very little margin for error. ÒWe donÕt have a guy to go to and carry us. When we have five or six guys [who perform], we can win games.Ó

Of the negatives, Lowe mentioned again the lack of shooting prowess by the team. Most notably there is shooting guard Michael Dickerson, who scored only 3 points this game. ÒHeÕs just having a tough time shooting the ball,Ó Lowe said. ÒBut, as a coach, thereÕs not much you can do.Ó

Also problematic are Grizzlies turnovers. The Grizz gave up 20 possessions worth 17 MavericksÕ points this evening with point guard Jason Williams accounting for five of them, including a critical turnover late in the game when Williams tried a behind the back lob to Wright who wasnÕt looking for the play. The result was that instead of cutting the MavericksÕ lead to three, MavericksÕ guard Tim Hardaway stole the ball, passed to guard Mike Finley, and Finley dunked it to make the lead seven.

ÒIÕve never been with a point guard who passes that way,Ó Wright, who was playing on his 26th birthday, said after the game. ÒWe have to learn how to play with each other.Ó

Wright also talked a little about this seasonÕs early losing streak. ÒWe hate to lose,Ó he said. ÒWeÕre working so hard.Ó About his own big game, Wright is as humble as his numbers are audacious. ÒIÕm always a rebounder first,Ó he said. ÒI took advantage of opportunities. I donÕt need to be anything. I just need to win.Ó

In his way during the game was Howard who scored 36 points, leading all scorers. The MavericksÕ only other offense was from guard Michael Finley who scored 24 points. Back up guard Tim Hardaway contributed 13. In the rebounding category, MavericksÕ forward Danny Manning pulled in 11.

The Grizzlies go on the road for the next three games, traveling to the Phoenix Suns, the L.A. Clippers, and the L.A. Lakers.