Game 4 stories from Commercial Appeal (like that's a real newspaper name)

[WaywardFan]

Home loss to Suns leaves Grizzlies frustrated
Phoenix 110, Memphis 90

By Ronald Tillery
Contact
April 30, 2005

They began the week functioning with so much belief based on what seemed an endurable pairing.

Now, the Griz are operating on the brink of elimination from the postseason.

Instead of wiry they are wobbly.

Instead of looking invigorated they seem weary.

Instead of standing toe-to-toe the Griz are proving to be no match for the Phoenix Suns, who left FedExForum Friday night with a 110-90 Game 3 victory and a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven series.

The Griz must win Game 4 Sunday to avoid being swept out of the postseason for the second year in a row. Still, that would likely serve as no more than a moral victory in the series.

No team has come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a seven-game series. Memphis lost the first three games in its series against San Antonio a year ago, and then dropped Game 4 at home.

And instead of counting the ways to climb back in this series, the Grizzlies are wrestling with themselves.

"Last year, our team was the same type of team as them," reserve point guard Earl Watson said. "Our team took a different identity. (Phoenix) is just on a whole different chemistry level. With us, we're second-guessing everything."

The Griz set an NBA record by losing their seventh straight playoff game. Center Lorenzen Wright called the way the series has gone "startling."

"And it's upsetting," Wright said, "because we feel we could play better and we should play better."

Their start gave the illusion that Game 3 would end better for the Griz. They immediately took an 8-0 lead -- an advantage built on scores at the rim and by forcing the Suns to miss their first five shots. But the Phoenix made four of its 11 3-pointers in the opening period, and led 31-30 after the game's first 12 minutes.

It was a demoralizing development for a Grizzly squad that shot 63 percent in the first.

"I thought after the first quarter we looked up at the score and saw that we were down one after shooting 63 percent," Griz coach Mike Fratello said. "We didn't play with the same energy after the first and Phoenix dominated the rest of the game."

The turning point happened in the second period when the Griz struggled to defend the Suns' pick-and-roll sets with Amare Stoudemire (30 points, nine rebounds).

Memphis trailed 35-34 when Phoenix used a 14-2 run to manufacture a 13-point lead. After falling behind 57-47 by halftime, the Griz never cut the deficit below 10 points in the third period. The Suns' lead never dipped below 15 in the fourth.

"It's playoff basketball," guard Mike Miller said. "You've got to be ready to play. If you're not ready to play, then they will expose you. The bottom line is you have to give them credit. We're not playing great but it's for a reason. Now our pride has to kick in."

At the point when the game got away from the Griz they were making the defense-impaired Suns look like a brick wall in front of the rim. The Griz went nearly four minutes without a field goal midway in the second quarter.

"We are a good road team," Suns point guard Steve Nash said, alluding to his team's NBA-best 31-10 road record during the regular season. "You have to be mentally tough to win on the road, especially in the playoffs. After they made the run to start the game, we didn't lose our composure."

While the Suns grew more confident the Griz became discombobulated, especially when Fratello made substitutions. The bench played a combined 27 minutes without scoring a point in the first half.

"When we subbed, we lost energy," backup forward Brian Cardinal said. "Then it snowballed."

So disconcerting was their energy level and the Grizzlies' inept offense that Fratello turned to reserve Bonzi Wells, whom he benched in Game 2. Wells entered with 5:25 left in the third with the Griz trailing 71-58.

He left with six points and two rebounds after playing nine minutes. It was more production than Cardinal had in 15 minutes, Watson had in 16 and James Posey had in 18.

"I guess it came to that," said Wells, who heard the chants of "we want Bonzi" from the fans near the Grizzlies' bench. "I appreciate the fans getting me into the game. If it wasn't for them I probably would have still been on the bench. But if I say anything, then I'm the bad guy. This is just frustrating."

That about sums up the series for the Griz.

-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353

 

[WaywardFan]

This is the same guy that wrote the article that slammed Phoenix. I've got one for him.

Us: Suns
Them: Memphis

Did you see that dunk? Did you see the dejectedness on the Memphis players' faces? Edge: Suns



Calkins: Postseason glitters, but Griz need more if they're to go for gold
By Geoff Calkins
Contact
April 30, 2005

Michael Heisley wore the diamond in his left ear, massive and sparkly and the result of a promise to his players.

"You going to sing the national anthem again?" Bonzi Wells asked back when the playoffs first seemed possible.

"No," said Heisley. "Something different this year."

So he borrowed a diamond roughly the size of Earl Boykins, a diamond worth "in the upper six figures."

He had a jeweler make a special, screw-on setting. Two security guys followed him everywhere.

And how long did he plan on wearing this Hope-Against-Hope diamond?

"As long as the playoff run lasts," he said.

Well, then.

It should be safely back by Monday!

The Phoenix Suns embarrassed the Grizzlies on Friday night, 110-90, to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

The Grizzlies have now lost the first seven playoff games in team history, more than any other franchise.

Eight comes Sunday. Eight now seems inevitable.

Because if this game didn't provide much in the way of entertainment, it served as a useful reminder to Grizzlies management of the hard truth about this team: They're not good enough.

That's it. Full stop. No need to launch an investigation.

The Grizzlies didn't lose because Bonzi Wells didn't play enough or Earl Watson played too much or they didn't deny the entry pass to Amare Stoudemire.

They lost because the Suns have better players. Because the Suns were built to win a title, while the Grizzlies were built to make the playoffs.

Not that anyone should take the playoffs for granted, mind you. Kevin Garnett isn't in the playoffs. Neither are Kobe Bryant nor LeBron James.

The Grizzlies have made it two years a row. That's a good thing.

But after watching the Spurs sweep the Grizzlies last year, and after watching the Suns go up 3-0 this year, can there be any doubt that making the playoffs is about all this cast is capable of?

Jerry West went out and acquired a lot of good, solid players. He signed James Posey, Brian Cardinal and Earl Watson as free agents. He traded for Mike Miller and Bonzi Wells. He drafted Antonio Burks and Dahntay Jones.

All nice players, right?

Players who can help a team get through the long regular season.

If West had managed to do what he intended -- and package two or three of those players for a star -- the Grizzlies might have been in position to do some damage in the postseason.

But West couldn't make the deals. He was left with good, solid players.

In the meantime the Suns were drafting Amare Stoudemire, trading for Joe Johnson, and signing Steve Nash, Jim Jackson and Quentin Richardson as free agents.

The result is what you saw Friday night, and a feeling of utter futility.

"Disappointing," Mike Fratello said.

"Disappointing," Mike Miller said.

"Disappointing," Earl Watson said.

It's hard to even remember the wonderful start to the game, the towels waving and the building shaking and the Grizzlies flying out to an 8-0 lead.

The Suns had gained the lead by the end of the first quarter, 31-30. This even though the Grizzlies had shot 63.3 percent.

It's as if the team looked at the scoreboard, looked at the stats, and said, you know, if we can't beat them shooting 63 percent, the heck with it.

"We just didn't have the drive," said Fratello, and how's that for an indictment?

It's the playoffs. It's Game 3. And they didn't have the drive?

Stoudemire dunked on Stromile Swift's head. The Grizzlies' vaunted bench didn't score a point in the first half.

Fratello finally let Bonzi Wells out of the doghouse and into the game with 5:25 left in the third quarter, the Grizzlies down by 14.

Any explanation, Mike? Just looking for anything to give the team the spark?

"No," he said. "I made a substitution. I put Bonzi in the game."

Thanks for clearing that up.

So what's left is an overmatched team, down 3-0, with some serious chemistry problems. A team with one game to play before management blows it to smithereens.

That game is Sunday.

Griz vs. the Suns.

Good seats are still available.

To reach Geoff Calkins, call him at 529-2364

 

[WaywardFan]

Grizzlies Postgame
April 30, 2005

Turning point

The Griz suffered through a poor second quarter for the second straight game in this series. This time, the Griz went cold as the Suns began heating up -- turning a one-point game into a crowd-silencing moment. Jim Jackson's 3-pointer eventually capped a 14-2 run that gave the Suns a 49-36 lead. The Grizzlies' drought -- mainly with reserves on the floor -- began with 8:42 left in the period. It ended when Lorenzen Wright scored on a hook in the lane with 5:28 left. Wright had scored the Grizzlies' most recent basket, too.


Standing out

The Griz couldn't handle Amare Stoudemire. After struggling in Game 1, the Suns center has played with a vengeance. He converted 11 of 19 shots and had nine rebounds and three blocks. Stoudemire didn't rely on merely power. He also connected on mid-range jumpers. Said Griz coach Mike Fratello: "He has a package of speed, size, strength, quickness and he runs the floor. And he has a teammate who finds him."

Standing still

The Dahntay Jones experiment came to an abrupt halt. After logging 29 minutes in Game 2, the second-year forward played just eight in Game 3. He missed all three shots taken and didn't register in any other statistical category.

By the numbers

The Griz began the game shooting 63 percent but finished with 46-percent shooting. The Suns converted 52 percent of their shots, including 11 of 19 3-pointers. ... After a 20-attempt disparity at the free throw line in Game 2, both teams were given a fair amount in Game 3. The Griz attempted 18 while the Suns had 21. ... Phoenix committed a franchise playoff-record five turnovers. ... Stromile Swift collected a career playoff record eight rebounds. ... Pau Gasol finished with a career playoff best three blocks.

Odds and ends

Players and coaches aren't the only people who operate under pressure when the playoffs begin. Griz television play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica and radio analyst Sean Tuohy acknowledged raising their performance level to match the games.

"The play on the floor is so intense," Pranica said. "If you're doing your job as an announcer, you're trying to capture and communicate what's on the floor. ...There's pressure only to the extent that you figure more people are watching. There are more casual fans so you're trying to explain the Grizzlies' season-long story without insulting the people who have been here all along. Michael (Cage, television analyst) finds it more enjoyable because you can really tell stories from game to game."

Tuohy said the "finality" of a playoff series gives him a rush.

"After the first game of the season, there are 81 more. With 15 games left, you're looking toward the playoffs," Tuohy said. "In the playoffs, you actually feel the ending."

The Griz still haven't sold out Sunday's Game 4, which has plenty of seats available. The team is encouraging fans to purchase tickets at the FedExForum box office, Ticketmaster locations, charge-by-phone (1-800-4-NBA-TIX) or on-line at grizzlies.com. The team's Web site features TicketFast -- a print-at-home option that prevents fans from waiting in line at the will-call window on game day.

The FedExForum box office will be open today noon to 5 p.m. and starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday. Each person is limited to buying eight tickets.

Forward Swift returned to action after missing Game 2 because of ankle and toe injuries. He was still missing in action. Swift played just two minutes in the first half after he took the floor with 8:05 left in the second period.

Fratello pulled Swift, who appeared to lack energy and aggression.

The NBA Rhythm 'n' Rims tour, an interactive basketball and music tour, will stop in Memphis this weekend. The Rhythm 'n' Rims tour is a customized 18-wheel vehicle, which transforms into a 30,000- square-foot basketball theme park featuring a concert stage, two basketball courts and a variety of contests and basketball activities.

NBA Legends Dave Cowens, Spencer Haywood and Rick Barry will appear Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Suns are so concerned about Pau Gasol and forcing other Grizzlies to step up and beat them that coach Mike D'Antoni is trying to defend the 7-foot Spaniard with both Amare Stoudemire and Steven Hunter on the floor at the same time.

"In certain situations, it works pretty good," D'Antoni said.

The Grizzlies' depth hasn't been much of an advantage in the playoffs. Proof of that could be found in the first half. The Grizzlies' bench played 27 minutes and didn't score.

Suns forward Shawn Marion entered Game 3 leading his team in scoring with 24 points per game on 57-percent shooting during the series.

That, despite a right wrist sprain.

"It's still sore," Marion said. "But it will be like this for awhile."

He said it

"Once you lose like that there ain't much Coach could say. There's no sense in stepping on a dead dog." --Wright, when asked about Fratello's postgame talk.

Next up

Game 4: Phoenix Suns at Grizzlies, Sunday, 7 p.m., FedExForum

 

[WaywardFan]

High-flying Sun cancels Grizzlies' programming
Stoudemire show worth tuning in for

By Gary Parrish
Contact
April 30, 2005

Like most of you, Gary Parrish is watching the Grizzlies in the NBA Playoffs from the couch. Here's how it looked on the tube, in a running timeline:

Before we get started, one question: Was this game a sellout?

The announced crowd was 18,119, a sellout.

But it's 45 minutes before tipoff, and I just went to the Grizzlies Web site and reserved a ticket in Section 105. So for a cool $238.75, I can get inside FedExForum.

7:31: On the Fox Sports South pregame show, Michael Cage mentions the Griz have momentum. He means this in a good way, despite the fact that Memphis has lost seven of its past eight games.

True, that is momentum. But it seems to be heading the wrong direction.

7:43: Our own Geoff Calkins comes on to offer expert analysis. Clearly, he has never heard the theory that horizontally striped shirts add weight.

With that, I'm off to ESPN2 for the broadcast, not because there's anything wrong with the local guys, but because it's always cool to see what outsiders think of our city.

8:10. We're just 2:15 in, and the Griz are up 8-0 on a Lorenzen Wright hook. For those who like "on pace" observations, Memphis is on pace to win 170-0.

8:24: Wright dunks on Amare Stoudemire to give the Griz a 26-20 lead, then celebrates by turning to the bench and jumping and yelling.

For the record, I'm a big fan of celebrations. I love Joe Horn and his cell phone. But why is this OK in the same world that demands Barry Bonds take a pitch in the back for staring at a home run for 2.1 seconds longer than he should?

Those baseball guys should loosen up.

8:32: Joe Johnson drains a 16-footer, and ESPN's Jim Durham yells, "Phoenix has its first lead!"

It's true. The Suns are ahead, 31-30, after one quarter. That 170-0 dream is long gone.

8:38: We get our first shot of a benched Bonzi Wells.

ESPN's Steve 'Snapper' Jones's take? Wells is saying all the right things publicly, but he's "moody and petulant."

Ouch. That's not a compliment.

But who wouldn't be moody and petulant if a franchise was about to pass on his $8 million option? I get petulant about roaming cell phone charges. Eight million is serious cash.

8:46: Speaking of benched, Stromile Swift apparently isn't anymore. He's in. And -- my gosh -- Stoudemire dunked on his head, and, I believe, tapped it twice with two closed fists to give the Suns a 41-34 advantage.

Welcome back, Stro!

8:57: ESPN2 just showed a clip of Jerry West folding T-shirts before the game. No joke. The Logo was folding shirts, one after another.

If this basketball thing doesn't work out, there's always Banana Republic.

9:06: Halftime. The Suns are up, 57-47. Mark Jones grabs Stoudemire, and asks what Phoenix must do to close out.

"Play tenacious defense," Stoudemire says. He's serious.

Tenacious defense? Actually, another half of 50 percent shooting from the field and 80 percent shooting from 3-point range will probably do the trick, no matter what kind of defense Phoenix does or does not play.

9:10: The Mark Goodfellow commercials are awesome, yet I have no idea what "... not even Tiger Woods can knock one out of my park," means. If you do, please e-mail and explain.

9:30: A Quentin Richardson layup puts the Suns up, 65-49. If you're in the building, it's time to ditch that $238.75 ticket, head to the music fest and try to catch Trey Anastasio, or something.

9:42: Bonzi's in! The crowd loves it.

Still, I must say, he looks a bit moody and petulant.

10:04: The Griz are down 88-71 with 8:50 left. Coming out of a commercial break, The Black Eyed Peas' "Let's Get it Started" is blaring.

Frankly, it's way too late to get anything started. Should've thought of that back when West was folding those shirts.

10:25: Swift gets a late tip-in.

If you're keeping track, the Stro Show had three field goals tonight. The Amare Show dunked on him twice.

Edge? Stoudemire.

10:26: It's over. 110-90 is the final.

And to think, just more than two hours ago the Griz were going to win 170-0.

What happened? What a bummer.

But look on the bright side. At least that momentum is still intact.

-- Gary Parrish: 529-2365

 

[WaywardFan]

Griz powerless to stop Suns' inside force
By Ron Higgins
Contact
April 30, 2005

Contrary to public opinion, the fast-breaking Suns do have a halfcourt offense.

His name is Amare Stoudemire.

For the second straight playoff game, Stoudemire put on another clinic of relentless, high-energy, jaw-dropping basketball.

Whether he was swooping to the hoops for dunks, hitting the mid-range jumper or blocking shots in the lane and at the 3-point line, the Grizzlies had no one to deal with Stoudemire. He had 30 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots and made it look easy as the Suns roared to a 110-90 victory on Friday night at FedExForum in taking a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series.

"They say we can't play halfcourt ball, because we have no inside presence," Stoudemire said. "Hopefully after tonight, they see we have a force inside and we'll take advantage of that. It's been the question all year if one guy can stop me, and it's going to get worse the next few years."

Stoudemire, who finished the season as the NBA's fifth-leading scorer, averaging 26 points, was limited to nine points in Game 1 against the Grizzlies. He seemed to be surrounded every time he touched the ball in the post, and the Suns took advantage by hitting 15 3s.

But in the last two games, with the Grizzlies' defenders more conscious of closing out on the Suns' 3-point bombers, Stoudemire has had room to operate and faced more one-on-one coverage.

The results have been devastating. He had 34 points and 10 rebounds in Game 2, and was one rebound shy of duplicating that double-double in Game 3. Stoudemire is the first Suns' player to record two consecutive 30-point games in the playoffs since guard Kevin Johnson in the '94 playoffs when Johnson scored 38 in two straight contests.

"Some of his dunks and some of his plays, the balance and the control, the way he handles the ball and his shots, he's kind of putting it together," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said of Stoudemire.

Stoudemire had two posterizing dunks over unfortunate Griz reserve center Stromile Swift, who's also regarded as one of the best dunkers in the game. But it was Stoudemire's first dunk over Swift, with 7 minutes left in the second quarter during a Suns' run that eased Phoenix into a double-digit lead, that seemed to be the beginning of the end for the Griz.

"I probably have about 999 dunks, but that one has got to rank in the top five," Stoudemire said, "I got up pretty high. I used my quickness and 38-inch vertical to jump over him."

The play was so stunning, so vicious, that Stoudemire began laughing and laughed all the way downcourt until the Grizzlies called a timeout.

"I was amped," Stoudemire said. "This is the playoffs, you make an exciting play and it's just the emotions that come out of you."

Stoudemire's teammates were awed.

"I couldn't say nothing, all I could say was 'booooweee' and jump," Suns forward Quentin Richardson said. "I get so used to Amare doing so much nasty stuff that a lot of them don't get me up, but that one got me hyped. Because the dunk was over a guy that can dunk. Stromile can get up in the air, too."

"Amare is so fun to watch," Suns point guard Steve Nash said. "Sometimes I think he jumps over the guy and the guy lifts him up. At other times, he jumps over people."

"Amare's a beast down low," said Suns swingman Jimmy Jackson. "He's playing on athleticism and adrenalin. He's out there just playing. When he really learns the game, he's going to be unstoppable. I hate to see him four years from now."

Beyond the dunks, Stoudemire displayed the total package.

When he drove, he'd beat one defender and shoot over two more closing from the backside. When the defense backed off, he'd shoot the jumper. And when he has shots blocked, he'd grab the ball and go back up again.

"His aggressiveness scares a lot of people," Griz guard Bonzi Wells said. "He's just too mean for our team right now."

 

[az1965]

Nice read! Thanks for posting these articles.

 

[Chaz]

7:31: On the Fox Sports South pregame show, Michael Cage mentions the Griz have momentum. He means this in a good way, despite the fact that Memphis has lost seven of its past eight games.

True, that is momentum. But it seems to be heading the wrong direction.