Grizzlies hope to overcome geography on playoff journey

By Bud L. Ellis

Oh, were it not for the geographically challenged NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies could start printing playoff tickets.

OK, that may be overstating things just a bit. Still Memphis, nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, plays in the Western Conference. And in the wild wild West, the Grizzlies’ 26-25 record is good for 11th in the standings, a full three games out of the conference’s final playoff spot (currently occupied by Portland).

Were Memphis in the East – NBA speaking, of course – the Grizzlies would stand tied for sixth with Charlotte. Still, with some good ball in its final 31 games, Memphis can challenge for a playoff berth in the West. But the Grizzlies lost six of 10 coming into the All-Star break, and needs to find its stride as the season picks back up this week.

Memphis returns to action Wednesday at Toronto, which sits fifth in the East but has a record only 2 ½ games better than the Grizzlies. Friday, Memphis plays host to Miami, and travels to New Jersey on Sunday to meet the 4-48 Nets.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 7:57 pm by bud

Tags: Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, National Basketball Association, New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors

Iverson leaves reeling Grizzlies

By Bud L. Ellis

The Allen Iverson experience in Memphis looks like it’s over before it really began.

The controversial guard has left the Grizzlies, asking for and receiving permission to depart this weekend. It’s unclear whether the former All-Star guard will return to the team, who signed Iverson in the offseason and has been bringing him off the bench.

The 14-year veteran has averaged 22 minutes per game, a big change for a player accustomed to playing 35-40 minutes a night for more than a decade. He missed time early in the season with a hamstring injury.

Iverson, who is averaging 12.3 points per game, has said publicly how difficult it’s been to make the transition from starter to role player.

It’s another thing gone awry for a Memphis team that’s dropped five games in a row. The Grizzles already find themselves 3 1/2 games behind Houston and Dallas in the Southwest Division and riding a five-game losing streak.

Iverson or not, the Grizzlies look to get back on the winning track when they play host to Portland on Tuesday.

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Monday, November 9, 2009 at 2:40 pm by bud

Tags: Allen Iverson, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, National Basketball Association, Portland Trail Blazers