(a sorta) League Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

New Jersey, Milwaukee and Sacramento are all gonna be bad. Same with the darling of the Southwest Division basement.

Memphis Grizzlies

PG Allen Iverson Mike Conley

SG O.J. Mayo Marco Jaric

SF Rudy Gay Sam Young DeMarre Carroll

PF Zach Randolph Darrell Arthur

C Marc Gasol Hasheem Thabeet Steven Hunter

As crazy as it sounds, signing Allen Iverson may have been the one thing Memphis could have done to avoid the seemingly unavoidable train wreck of 2009-10. I know, I know: The Grizzlies central problem is too many guys concerned about getting their shots. But if somehow AI comes in with an attitude of rallying this band of misfits by demonstrating by example the benefits of mutual sacrifice, this team has the talent to do some business. Mayo, Gay, Gasol and Conley are a decent young nucleus. Randolph has skills to contribute. If they could get on the same page, just imagine.

Actually, if AI is the secret savior of the Griz, it will be the crazier than it sounds. Iverson's decision to suit up for Memphis is a bad idea. He has had a marvelous career--one of the best ever for a little man. But he has not really been able to guard for several seasons now. If he was going to a good team to play a limited role, I would be all for it. Memphis?

The Grizzlies are doomed to implode sometime before mid January. Too many players with too many agendas, none of which involve defense. The younger Gasol showed some decent promise in the pivot. Though a lesser to his brother, he is beefy and he knows his way around the paint. Good thing. Thabeet is a big gamble, and I would be very surprised if he contributed much to winning this season. Old friend Zebo is nurturing his reputation as a numbers guy for the League’s worst teams. Yuk. I cannot imagine how he will blend with OJ, Mayo and AI. I can imagine those all four of those guys starring at each other after opponents glide in for uncontested lay ups. Cheering for your team against the Griz will be big fun this year.