10Nov/082:28 PM

Behind Enemy Lines: Breaking down the Grizzlies with the Memphis Flyer

By Greg Esposito

We go behind enemy lines with Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer to break down the Memphis Grizzlies as they get set to take on the Phoenix Suns tonight at the US Airways Center.

1) Through seven games what are your first impressions of OJ Mayo?

Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer: He’s already the best shooter on the team and has shown a surprising knack for making tough shots against NBA-caliber defenders. He’s got deep range and seems to shoot equally well off the dribble or off catch-and-shoot attempts. I think everyone here expected him to be a strong scorer, but not quite this fast. He can average 20 as a rookie. Mayo has also been an attentive and effective defender, a good sign for a rookie with such a scoring burden.

On the downside, he’s heavily reliant on his jumper for offense right now. He hasn’t gotten to the basket or to the foul line consistently, which makes his scoring streaky, as witnessed by last night against Denver, where he went for 26 in the first half and only 5 in the second. And while he’s made some nifty passes in the halfcourt, he’s been turnover prone and can’t run a fastbreak. Mayo’s future might still be at point guard, but that’s still an open question.

2) Through seven games what are your first impressions of Marc Gasol?

Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer: After winning MVP of Spain’s ACB league last year (generally considered the world’s second best hoops league), everyone assumed Gasol would be a rotation-quality player, but he’s surprised everyone by being a quality starting center from day one. He’s huge, strong, and physical but also has great hands and a soft touch, which has made him very effective in some games. (He went 27 and 16, I think, in Game 4 against he Warriors.) Marc is much, much more physical than his older brother, Pau, and has won over fans with his willingness to set hard picks, deliver hard fouls, and show on-court grit and leadership. He also, happily, seems to have inherited his brother’s skill as a mid-range shooter and passer.

On the downside, Gasol is slow-footed, which has hurt him in trying to keep quicker power players (Dwight Howard, Andris Biedrins, Drew Gooden) off the offensive glass. He’s been foul prone too and his offensive contribution has been very streaky.

3) What was the most significant off season change that will help the Grizzlies compete this year?

Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer:You would assume the trade for Mayo, since O.J. is playing nearly 40 minutes a game and scoring nearly 20 points. But I think signing Gasol was probably just as important in the short term. This team has needed a physical presence in the middle for eight years in Memphis and has needed a “glue guy” since Shane Battier was traded three years ago. Gasol has, so far, given the Grizzlies both of these qualities.

4) What are keys to a Memphis victory over the Suns?

Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer:I’d say staying out of foul trouble in the frontcourt, which has been a big problem on this road trip. The Grizzlies only have four frontcourt players really able to contribute (Gasol, Darko Milicic, Darrell Arthur, and Hakim Warrick) right now and I sense that Shaq and Amare could get the Grizzlies into serious foul trouble in a hurry. Another key would be improved point guard play. Second-year starter Mike Conley has gotten off to a bad start to the season and back-up Kyle Lowry is not exactly a steady presence. If they’re on their game, the speed and physicality Conley and Lowry are capable of playing with could be very effective against Nash, but clearly that match-up could also end up very badly for the Grizzlies.

5) Who is one player on the Grizzlies that Suns fans might not know but they should keep any eye out for tonight?

Chris Herrington of the Memphis Flyer:Darrell Arthur. The third rookie in the starting lineup for the Grizzlies, Arthur has rebounded very well and been an active presence defensively. He’s really the only player on the Grizzlies’ roster who can come even close to matching up with Amare Stoudemire physically. He’s got the ability to be a scorer, but his mid-range shot isn’t falling so far. Tonight will be the toughest match-up he’s ever faced.