Tuesday night's home loss to Phoenix was frustrating to watch. The Grizzlies' failure to defend the paint in addition to crucial 4th quarter turnovers contributed to a loss that, on paper, should have been a win.
Tonight, the Grizz take the floor at the so-called "Highlight Factory". Atlanta, coming off a Tuesday night loss at Indiana, would also like a win to keep hold of their 6-seed place in the Eastern Conference.
After struggles against the Pacers, Josh Smith (4-12 FG) and Kyle Korver (3-13, including 2-9 in 3pt attempts) will look to get back into the groove at home.
The two teams' starters match up fairly well, but Zach Randolph's defensive assignment will be crucial to the Grizzlies' chances of winning. Marc Gasol and Al Horford play similar roles in their teams' offenses. Smith is more of a high-flyer than Randolph, and can be the kind of guy who has been giving Randolph fits lately. Will the Grizzlies protect the rim tonight?
Memphis and Denver are presently tied for 4th in the Western Conference, with Golden State a half-game behind the duo. Oh-by-the-way, the Warriors will be in Memphis Friday night.
Memphis will want to keep this game in the high 80s-low 90s. Atlanta will want to get up-and-down more. Both teams will be a bit tired in this second game of back-to-backs for each.
I cringe as I type a guess of Atlanta 103, Memphis 91. As usual, this guess isn't meant for gaming purposes, but for discussion and argument.
After the Game: Didn't watch (I was at Bible Study, and we covered Isaiah Chapter 60). Final score was Atlanta 103, Memphis 92 (I had to do a double take at that score). Looking at the box score, four of the five Atlanta starters outscored their Memphis counterparts, and the one who didn't (Josh Smith) went 19-11 compared to Zach Randolph's 20-7. Both teams hit 38 field goals, but Memphis needed 10 more shots (84 attempts versus Atlanta's 74). The Hawks doubled Memphis in three pointers (10-24 to the Grizz' 5-12).
Memphis was down 80-62 after three quarters. They had to put on a spirited 4th just to lose by 12. Yeesh.
Golden State lost 119-98 at Oklahoma City tonight (no surprise). The Warriors get a day off before playing at Memphis. If the Grizzlies don't show some fire to defend home court, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Hank Aaron turned 79 today
Watching MLB Network just now, the guys mentioned Hammerin' Hank 79th birthday today. Where did the time go?
When I first started following baseball in the early 70's, Aaron was one of the much-respected elder statesmen of the game. What he wasn't was the flashiest guy, the player people constantly put in front of a camera.
He didn't make over-the-shoulder catches like Willie Mays. Aaron didn't throw strikes from deep right field like Roberto Clemente. He wasn't the biggest, he wasn't the fastest.
What he did was show up every day and do a job. A solid fielder, a dependable run-producer, a good man in the clubhouse. What more could you ask for in a baseball player?
Happy birthday, sir.
When I first started following baseball in the early 70's, Aaron was one of the much-respected elder statesmen of the game. What he wasn't was the flashiest guy, the player people constantly put in front of a camera.
He didn't make over-the-shoulder catches like Willie Mays. Aaron didn't throw strikes from deep right field like Roberto Clemente. He wasn't the biggest, he wasn't the fastest.
What he did was show up every day and do a job. A solid fielder, a dependable run-producer, a good man in the clubhouse. What more could you ask for in a baseball player?
Happy birthday, sir.
My Team - Grizzlies versus Suns tonight
The trade rumors have become reality. Rudy Gay is now a member of the Toronto Raptors. My Memphis Grizzlies acquired Tayshaun Prince, Austin Daye and Ed Davis in the three-team deal.
Prince scored 14 off the bench in his Grizzlies' home debut 1 Feb against the Washington Wizards. Soon (if not tonight), I would hope Prince starts at the small forward position.
Since trading Gay away, Tony Allen has started at SF, while Jerryd Bayless started at shooting guard (Allen's normal position). My opinion - Allen, while a supreme competitor, is undersized at SF. Bayless started the season adjusting to playing backup point guard (behind Mike Conley), with some time recently at SG alongside Conley.
Right now, it seems Gasol, Randolph, Prince, Allen and Conley would be the best starting five, with Arthur (backup power forward, backup center against smaller opponent lineups), Chris Johnson (backup small forward, on his second 10-day contract), Bayless (backup SG) and Tony Wroten (the rookie first-round pick backup PG).
I look forward to see how coach Hollins deploys his guys against a Phoenix team that is struggling, to be charitable.
The Suns are working with interim coach Lindsey Hunter (team is 3-4 since Hunter was installed). PF Channing Frye has been out all season, and his 3-point shooting opens the floor for others. PF Luis Scola and PG Goran Dragic are two weapons Phoenix have counted on all year. Scola's active offense should be a problem for Randolph to deal with, especially in the open court. Backups SG Shannon Brown and SF Michael Beasley have had varying levels of success this year, and could be tough for Memphis' backups to cover.
I could see a 95-90 Grizzlies win tonight. Do not use my guesswork for placing bets. This is strictly for entertainment and discussion/argument purposes.
After the Game: I was close on the score. 96-90 was the final. "Bad" news is Phoenix won. Suns shot 51% from the field, with 52 points scored in the paint. Bayless got 29 off the bench, but Memphis' interior defense was weak. Scola and Gortat had their way inside, and even Jermaine O'Neal contributed offensively.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), Memphis plays at Atlanta, followed by a Friday home game against Golden State. Grizzlies and Warriors are gonna go down to the wire for the 4th spot in the Western Conference, so the Grizz have to fix these problems in a hurry.
After the Game: I was close on the score. 96-90 was the final. "Bad" news is Phoenix won. Suns shot 51% from the field, with 52 points scored in the paint. Bayless got 29 off the bench, but Memphis' interior defense was weak. Scola and Gortat had their way inside, and even Jermaine O'Neal contributed offensively.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), Memphis plays at Atlanta, followed by a Friday home game against Golden State. Grizzlies and Warriors are gonna go down to the wire for the 4th spot in the Western Conference, so the Grizz have to fix these problems in a hurry.
"A Man's Gotta Eat" - Simple Chili
It's so simple, and you can add whatever you want to make it your own.
1 lb. ground meat (beef, turkey, buffalo, whatever)
2 16 oz. cans dark kidney beans
2 16 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 packets chili powder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Hot sauce
Start with a medium-sized crock pot. Pour in the two cans of beans, the two cans of tomato sauce and two packets of chili powder. Set heat on High. Cover crock pot.
Brown the ground meat (I use a cast-iron skillet), season to taste. I'll use some seasoned salt, maybe some poultry seasoning or even a slight amount of garlic powder or onion powder. If it's ground turkey, I may use pepper also.
When the meat is browned, drain it. Add the drained meat to the crock pot, stir thoroughly, sprinkle on garlic/onion powder, add a few drops of hot sauce, stir thoroughly again. Cover and simmer on Low setting for four hours.
Depending on how you like your chili, if you want to add diced tomato, diced onion, peppers or whatever else you like - do it! Personalize it the way you like best. One thing I like about chili is you have room to add whatever you want (within reason, of course).
1 lb. ground meat (beef, turkey, buffalo, whatever)
2 16 oz. cans dark kidney beans
2 16 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 packets chili powder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Hot sauce
Start with a medium-sized crock pot. Pour in the two cans of beans, the two cans of tomato sauce and two packets of chili powder. Set heat on High. Cover crock pot.
Brown the ground meat (I use a cast-iron skillet), season to taste. I'll use some seasoned salt, maybe some poultry seasoning or even a slight amount of garlic powder or onion powder. If it's ground turkey, I may use pepper also.
When the meat is browned, drain it. Add the drained meat to the crock pot, stir thoroughly, sprinkle on garlic/onion powder, add a few drops of hot sauce, stir thoroughly again. Cover and simmer on Low setting for four hours.
Depending on how you like your chili, if you want to add diced tomato, diced onion, peppers or whatever else you like - do it! Personalize it the way you like best. One thing I like about chili is you have room to add whatever you want (within reason, of course).
In Dreams - "It's her!"
(side note: I've been fighting a cold since Friday afternoon, and the meds are working. Good news is I sleep soundly. Bad news is in such sound sleep, I get crazy dreams.)
The dream starts with me living in a townhouse in a mid-sized city (think 60K or so population). The townhouse is above a casual dining place, so there is usually activity nearby day and night.
I go downstairs to get some eats, and there she is. We'll call her Penelope.
(Back story - Penelope was my first crush in junior high. First day of school that year, I arrive before the front doors are unlocked. Nervous, because the elementary school I attended the year before wasn't a feeder school to this junior high. So, odds were good I wouldn't know anyone.
I'm sitting on the curb outside the front door, and a bus pulls up. She is the first one off. She was cute, and beyond cute. What was most attractive though was she was calm and self-possessed. She carried herself confidently but not arrogantly, kind to everyone she met. I was captured that instant. Her poise was something I hadn't seen before, and only rarely since.
Me, being awkward and nervous, didn't approach her that day. Over the next three years, our paths crossed but I never mustered the nerve to talk to her at length. I'm sure she is happily married to this day, and her husband is one fortunate fellow.)
Anyway, Penelope is in the casual dining place, and our eyes meet. She welcomes me over to her table, I make myself comfortable, and we chat for a while. It only seemed like a few minutes, but we covered so much about our respective pasts. Even in that present scene, she still had that poise, that sense of calm in her spirit. Even we both are now middle-aged, she looked as beautiful as she did as a teenager.
We ate, chatted some more, then decided to take a walk. There was a pier nearby, so we went towards the water to watch the sunset. I had this sense that she had all the time in the world, and I was in no hurry for our time together to end. Then, the alarm went off. This was one time the alarm hadn't gone off when it did, to be sure.
I'm not on Facebook, since there are precious few folk from my past with whom I'd even want to keep in touch, but Penelope would be first on the list (that is, if I knew she was single AND interested in hearing from me).
The dream starts with me living in a townhouse in a mid-sized city (think 60K or so population). The townhouse is above a casual dining place, so there is usually activity nearby day and night.
I go downstairs to get some eats, and there she is. We'll call her Penelope.
(Back story - Penelope was my first crush in junior high. First day of school that year, I arrive before the front doors are unlocked. Nervous, because the elementary school I attended the year before wasn't a feeder school to this junior high. So, odds were good I wouldn't know anyone.
I'm sitting on the curb outside the front door, and a bus pulls up. She is the first one off. She was cute, and beyond cute. What was most attractive though was she was calm and self-possessed. She carried herself confidently but not arrogantly, kind to everyone she met. I was captured that instant. Her poise was something I hadn't seen before, and only rarely since.
Me, being awkward and nervous, didn't approach her that day. Over the next three years, our paths crossed but I never mustered the nerve to talk to her at length. I'm sure she is happily married to this day, and her husband is one fortunate fellow.)
Anyway, Penelope is in the casual dining place, and our eyes meet. She welcomes me over to her table, I make myself comfortable, and we chat for a while. It only seemed like a few minutes, but we covered so much about our respective pasts. Even in that present scene, she still had that poise, that sense of calm in her spirit. Even we both are now middle-aged, she looked as beautiful as she did as a teenager.
We ate, chatted some more, then decided to take a walk. There was a pier nearby, so we went towards the water to watch the sunset. I had this sense that she had all the time in the world, and I was in no hurry for our time together to end. Then, the alarm went off. This was one time the alarm hadn't gone off when it did, to be sure.
I'm not on Facebook, since there are precious few folk from my past with whom I'd even want to keep in touch, but Penelope would be first on the list (that is, if I knew she was single AND interested in hearing from me).
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Football is done, here comes baseball
I like football a lot. I really do. The season is over. Hail to the Baltimore Ravens winning the league championship.
In the next week and a half, major leaguers and aspirants will report to select sites in Arizona and Florida to prepare for a new season. For me, "pitchers and catchers report" means spring is not far behind. For me, baseball evokes memories of trees beginning to bud, grass sprouts peeking out from dry thatch, warm breezes, etc.
I don't mind winter. If I have nowhere to go, bring on the heavy snow. However, I'm more of a warm-weather, ocean wave kind of guy. I don't swim, I just like the rhythmic sound of waves sloshing about.
My favorite team is the Washington Nationals. The 2012 season ended in disappointment, but 2013 could be the year the team makes it to the World Series. You bet I will be near a television most days of the season. Some people follow soap operas or their favorite reality television personality day after day. Baseball is my soap opera, my reality TV.
I prefer baseball. Bring it.
In the next week and a half, major leaguers and aspirants will report to select sites in Arizona and Florida to prepare for a new season. For me, "pitchers and catchers report" means spring is not far behind. For me, baseball evokes memories of trees beginning to bud, grass sprouts peeking out from dry thatch, warm breezes, etc.
I don't mind winter. If I have nowhere to go, bring on the heavy snow. However, I'm more of a warm-weather, ocean wave kind of guy. I don't swim, I just like the rhythmic sound of waves sloshing about.
My favorite team is the Washington Nationals. The 2012 season ended in disappointment, but 2013 could be the year the team makes it to the World Series. You bet I will be near a television most days of the season. Some people follow soap operas or their favorite reality television personality day after day. Baseball is my soap opera, my reality TV.
I prefer baseball. Bring it.
In Dreams - "Where are my car keys?"
(Correction - on the elk shooting, I later found out only one of the two cops were off-duty.)
(Disclosure about this post - I am fighting a cold, and the meds give me the craziest dreams.)
It started with a marquee along the side of a busy boulevard. When it's up on its metal post, it's big enough to see from the street. When I took it down and put it across my lap, it was no more than three feet long by two feet wide. I used cellophane lettering to put "The Prez Wuz Here", one word per row from top to bottom. I vaguely remembered the POTUS had come through whatever town I was in. After changing the lettering, I took the marquee with me.
From there, I was ready to leave but couldn't find my car keys. I started walking around my town, ending up at a newly-built house in a neighborhood in which I formally lived. The house wasn't furnished, but there were eating utensils available. I took down a plate from a cabinet, then reached for the refrigerator. From behind me, I could hear a voice. It was Sean "Puffy" Combs, waiting for me to get done in the fridge so he could review its contents. Since there wasn't much in the fridge, I decided to go to the store. Since I still couldn't find my keys, I started searching again. From kitchen to garage to backyard to outside storage room, I had no idea where my keys were.
In the midst of looking for my car keys, I also realized I forgot where I parked my car. As I searched now for two items, my mother showed up to provide encouragement. She wanted to talk about fiction writing, but I was distracted.
Next up, I found myself in Omaha at a place were I formerly worked. I walked up and down hallways, but no one else was around. I noticed large murals with faces of guys I know, some I go to church with and others I previously worked with. The murals were well-crafted, with a life-like level of detail. Most of the faces were smiling, and lots of airplanes were painted in the background.
Throughout the dream, my keys were never found.
Throughout the dream, my keys were never found.
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