Grizzlies executive vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman spoke with select media on Monday about an exciting Memphis season. Part of the gathered scrum included Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
“I think the secret’s out on the Grizzlies at this point,” Kleiman said. “Just watching them night in and night out, these guys really like playing with each other, and from our perspective, that’s great to see.”
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- The early returns on the fit of new Rockets power forward Robert Covington are encouraging, at least to Covington and defensive coach Elston Turner, according to The Athletic’s Kelly Iko. “Still getting comfortable with everything but I feel really confident and we’ve been playing well the past couple [of] games,” Covington said.
- Rookie Pelicans forward Nicolo Melli will be joining his teammates Zion Williamson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker in tomorrow’s All-Star Rising Stars Game, according to an official NBA release. Melli will replace second-year Suns center Deandre Ayton, out with a sore ankle. Since Ayton was representing the World Team, his replacement had to come from that group as well.
- With a 28-26 record heading into the All-Star break, the Grizzlies are rounding into form with a four-game lead for the West’s No. 8 seed, per Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. They have become one of the NBA’s best defensive teams this month. Their exciting youth movement will be well-represented in the All-Star weekend’s Rising Stars game.
Kennith Faried should go to the rockets to fill the 14th man roster spot. In his 25 games he played for them last year he shot 35% from deep and got 8 rebounds. He wouldn’t block the lane up for Russ cause you could play him from the corner for his 3 ball but he would be handy on defence and on the boards. Tucker who’s 34 turning 35 will get very worn out playing against 7 footers consistently
They cant. Faried is under contract with another team overseas
Faried was released by the Zhejiang Lions on December 4th.
Tucker will be okay no matter if he’s guarding taller centers or players his own size. But the Rockets do need someone capable of backing him up besides Thabo Sefolosha, who has done a decent job so far. They did get Bruno Caboclo recently, who should get first crack at the job once he’s recovers from the knee injury he had last month. I think Faried may also be recovering from an injury from when he was playing in China.
Tucker is 34 and the regular season still has 25+ games then your going to have long playoff series. I think getting in Faired as soon as possible would be best just cause then Tucker and Covington or whoever guards the opposing centre can get some time to rest.
If your up by 20 over the Pelicans in the third quarter there’s no point playing Covington or Tucker against Derrick Favours or Jaxson Hayes when you could put in Faried who would match up better and he doesn’t ruin your pace and space 3 point game.
Faired would be solid for just letting these guys sit out garbage minutes or if they struggle you can put him in for abit. Faired is still a capable 3 point shooter so he wouldn’t hurt your game plan either
I thought I observed Covington guarding the 5 position as well. I think another 3 pt shooting smaller 5 is needed, though.