Memphis: A team that didnt use injuries as an excuse

[OSUBlazerfan]

Their best player gets hurt, but it doesnt bother them. no excuses, they stroll through the first round and onto the second round

Im just bitter that im watching OKC and Memphis in the second round, and the Blazers are out on vaction already.

 

[julius]

Zach Randolph got hurt? Because Rudy wasn't their best player.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

knock knock

 

[XXPrimusXX]

Who's there?

 

[VanillaGorilla]

As julius said, Zach is their best player. Their regular season record was even better without Gay. Without Gay, Allen, Battier, and Young play more. They actually play defense and hustle. Gay is just Travis Outlaw on steroids.

 

[julius]

is it wrong that I'm happy the Thunder lost game 1?

 

[XXPrimusXX]

is it wrong that I'm happy the Thunder lost game 1?

Nope. It was great to see those chuckers get outclassed.

Oh, and by the way, the Blazers never used injuries as an excuse either.

Portland wouldn't have even made the Playoffs if they did.

 

[Minstrel]

It's a good thing they didn't use injury as an excuse, since Rudy Gay was tremendously overrated. He's a good player, but not even a star let alone a superstar.

 

[PapaG]

is it wrong that I'm happy the Thunder lost game 1?

I hope Memphis sweeps OKC. I like how they play, and it's nice seeing Zach finally become a franchise player, instead of only being paid like a franchise player. Plus, Marc Gasol's game is evolving to the point that I thought a bigger version of Pau was on the court at times.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Who's there?

to.

 

[XXPrimusXX]

to.

"to" who?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

"to" who?

to whom

 

[3RA1N1AC]

is it wrong that I'm happy the Thunder lost game 1?

not at all, i hope they get swept, and never win another game

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I hope Memphis sweeps OKC. I like how they play, and it's nice seeing Zach finally become a franchise player, instead of only being paid like a franchise player. Plus, Marc Gasol's game is evolving to the point that I thought a bigger version of Pau was on the court at times.

I totally agree with this.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I hardly think the loss of Rudy Gay even remotely compares to losing Greg Oden AND Brandon Roy, but that's just me.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Losing Rudy Gay is the REASON they made the playoffs. Not just because he's a Shareef-style all-numbers-no-substance player, but because they traded for Shane Battier and gave Tony Allen more minutes, thereby making their defense AWESOME, and made their offense totally about the low post.

I'm happy for Memphis! We've got the Lionel Hollins connection, plus not only did we draft Randolph, but Dorrell Arthur as well!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It's a good thing they didn't use injury as an excuse, since Rudy Gay was tremendously overrated. He's a good player, but not even a star let alone a superstar.

He's like Allen Iverson in his declining years - only useful if he's used as a volume shooter, but actually the team would be better by spreading the offense.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Losing Rudy Gay is the REASON they made the playoffs. Not just because he's a Shareef-style all-numbers-no-substance player, but because they traded for Shane Battier and gave Tony Allen more minutes, thereby making their defense AWESOME, and made their offense totally about the low post.

I'm happy for Memphis! We've got the Lionel Hollins connection, plus not only did we draft Randolph, but Dorrell Arthur as well!

This.

 

[jlprk]

Losing Rudy Gay is the REASON they made the playoffs. Not just because he's a Shareef-style all-numbers-no-substance player, but because they traded for Shane Battier and gave Tony Allen more minutes, thereby making their defense AWESOME, and made their offense totally about the low post.

When Gay played his last game Feb. 15, Memphis's record was 31-26 (.544). They ended at 46-36 (.561). So without him they went 15-10 (.600).

Not a lot of difference, easily ascribable to end-of-season pressure. When he went down, their 4 game winning streak ended. They were half a game behind 8th-place Utah, but everyone knew Utah couldn't last with Sloan gone.

So it's not true that Memphis made the playoffs because Gay got hurt, even if his absence improved the team. As for his injury causing the Battier-for-Thabeet trade 9 days later at the trade deadline, that trade was already in the works.

Go Zach! Beat Clay Bennett!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

When Gay played his last game Feb. 15, Memphis's record was 31-26 (.544). They ended at 46-36 (.561). So without him they went 15-10 (.600).

So: they built their team with Gay as the leading scorer, he goes down, they have to change their plans fairly radically (which we can assume means some growing pains and some understandable losses)... and they STILL have a better record without him? Wow.

So it's not true that Memphis made the playoffs because Gay got hurt, even if his absence improved the team.

Okay, I'll give you that given that you're conceding the bigger point.

As for his injury causing the Battier-for-Thabeet trade 9 days later at the trade deadline, that trade was already in the works.

Wow, I wish I had your inside sources.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

So: we built our team with Roy as the leading scorer, he goes down, we have to change their plans fairly radically (which we can assume means some growing pains and some understandable losses)... and we STILL have a better record without him? Wow.

fixed