Mon, Jan 23rd, 2019

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Written while listening to Booker T. & the M.G.'s Time is Tight

Doomsday has arrived

In December, we wrote a blurb with the headline: Appreciate the Memphis Grizzlies while you canWell, did you? Because the end is coming faster than a De’Aaron Fox fastbreak.Last year’s awful Memphis team flirted with pulling the plug; this time they’ve written their will and sent it to Adrian Wojnarowski, who reported on Tuesday that the front office is finally ready to take bids for Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.We loved the resurgence from this team early on and so did everyone else, but this leaked announcement is, let’s be honest, about three years late. Since that 55-win 2014-15 season, they’ve been a .500 team with hobbled stars. In the short-term, they’ve won six times since Dec. 1. They’re 19-28 and 14th in the Western Conference.Getting a jump on the rebuild and cashing in on their two aging stars is a no-brainer.Gasol, who was born in Spain but has lived in Memphis since high school, has a $25.6 million option next season, which could make his trade value murky, depending on if he plans to exercise that final season; Conley will make $32 million next year and $34 million in 2020-21.He turned 31 this past October, and would be a drastic overpay at that price, but would certainly be a nice luxury for any team with some cap space and no hope of landing a big-time free agent.If you’re, say, Detroit, you might put some lipstick on Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond and see just how open to trading Conley Memphis really is.Gasol, who is 34 next week, is a moody guy who got David Fizdale fired, but he’s also a crafty scorer, a decent defender for his age, an evolved shooter, and, if he’s willing to waive next year’s option, a definite commodity.For Memphis, it’s about getting draft picks and young players to fit around Jaren Jackson Jr.(The Grizzlies also owe Boston their first round pick if it doesn’t land in the top-eight.)For Conley and Gasol, it’s about a few more cracks at a deep playoff run.

Oklahoma City reeks of disappointment

With a win over fourth-place Portland last night, the Thunder are sitting at third in the Western Conference with a 29-18 record. Paul George is putting up 27 a night; Steven Adams is a double-double machine; Russell Westbrook, despite shooting splits of 41.6/24.2/65.5, is still doing this:So, why aren’t we convinced?Partly because Westbrook is still doing this.Early this season, we scolded Westbrook -- Who are you, Russell Westbrook?.Then, only a month later, we took hyperbole to a new level -- Are the Thunder making the NBA Finals?The roller coaster continues, guys. We’re out again. Yep. Forever. We won’t be tricked again. Sorry. Not happening. We’ve seen this team, with pop and pizzazz, be as exciting as ever. But we’ve also seen Joe Ingles talk trash to Paul George and back it up. It’s deception after flattery. You can’t trick us (again).(Until next time.)Also, Jusef Nurkic has a new name for Westbrook: Westbrick.

No fried chicken tonight

It’s 1980. The Indiana Pacers are hosting the San Antonio Spurs. The Pacers have a promotion for the game -- hold San Antonio’s George Gervin to under 30 points for the game, and everyone in attendance will get free fried chicken. Iceman finds out. Iceman doesn’t like that.In the first half, Ice drops 25 points. He’s walking to the locker room. He has a message for the crowd.“No chicken tonight!”The Iceman finishes the game with 55 points and the Spurs win, 144-130.No chicken tonight.

  Statement Stuff 

Joel Embiid’s block on James Harden in a 121-93 Philadelphia win over Houston on Monday night. 

Anyways, James Harden is averaging 35.7 points per game. Who else has dropped 35-plus you ask? Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Rick Barry. That’s it. 

  Quick Hits

• Finally, a Steph Curry gaffe we can watch on loop.

• Luka Doncic tried to kick the basketball to himself on Saturday night and booted it into the stands, leading to an ejection and a ten thousand dollar fine. He also ripped his jersey last night after missing a halftime buzzer-beater.

• Strange beef alert: Devin Booker and Gorgui Dieng tried to meet and fight in a tunnel last night, leading to this hilarious video of Booker trying to free himself from his coach.

• Someone with measles went to a recent Blazers game, leading to 19 infected Portlanders.

• Dirk is getting us all nostalgic.

• Dirk has been invited to the 3-point contest. He won it in 2006…  

• The Nets are 25-23 and are sixth in the Eastern Conference. #NEWYORKSTEAM

 Concrete Reads

• The Warriors are winning Klay’s way [The Ringer]

• The Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings' rebuilds are ahead of schedule [Sports Illustrated]

• Meet Sydney Gilstrap-Portley, the 25-year-old who posed as a Hurricane Harvey survivor and a 15-year-old so he could play high school basketball [Sports Illustrated]

  Podcast Pick

Bill Walton went on the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast and ranted for an hour [Sports Illustrated]

Best upcoming games

Tonight, 1/23, ESPNTomorrow, 1/24