Memphis Grizzlies: Tuesday Morning Point Guard
After watching a great weekend of both college and professional football, it made me think about writing a little play on the Tuesday Morning Quarterback articles, naming it the Tuesday Morning Point Guard. In this segment we will take a look at the Memphis Grizzlies last few games and other news in a football mindset.
The Peyton Manning Award
Ed Davis has been solid of late. Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule, Flickr.com
This goes to the player who played the best over the past few games. In this case it goes to both of the backup power forwards, Ed Davis and Jon Leuer. Davis started the preseason with very little to write home about, however in the last two games he really showed some true promise. He has averaged 15 points and nine rebounds per game; also he has shot the ball at a 67 percent rate. If Davis can keep up this pace, or even close to it, he can truly add some bulk to the bench. In addition, Jon Leuer, has played better in the past two games averaging eight points and five rebounds per games. I know it is the preseason but as a Grizzlies fan you have to be encouraged by both their play of late.
The Dallas Cowboys Award
Jerryd Bayless is consistently inconsistent. (NBA.com photo)
The Cowboys are such a Jekyll and Hyde team, just like the play of Jerryd Bayless in the past two games. The first game he shot 3-of-11 from the field, including 0-for-5 from behind the arc. However, in the very next game he shoots 8-of-9 from the field and makes six 3-pointers. This about sums up Bayless in a nutshell, he can be the best player on the floor or he can hurt the team with his shot selection. It will be interesting to see which Bayless shows up throughout the season.
The Andrew Luck Award
Andrew Luck is known as the best of the young quarterbacks in the league right now. Therefore, this award goes to the best young player over the past few games and in this case it is by far Nick Calathes. Again this is Calathes’ first season in the NBA after playing overseas at a high level. Against the Hawks on Sunday, with Mike Conley not playing, Calathes played 25 minutes and had 10 assists. In addition, his plus/minus was plus-20, the highest on the team. Calathes could be the playmaker off the bench the Grizzlies need to make another deep playoff run.
For a second time, I understand it is the preseason, but the Grizzlies have won the last four games and David Joerger has been trying different lineups and getting players time off as well. The last positive thing over the past couple of games has been the play of Mike Miller, who looks as healthy as he has in a long time. He played more than 20 minutes in the past two games, while making four 3s and had 14 rebounds total. Miller’s play is extremely encouraging; his shooting could open up the floor big time for Conley, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.
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