Ronald Tillery

ronald.tillery@commercialappeal.com

It’s Tuesday so the only beat writer the Memphis Grizzlies have ever known is offering 10 facts and observations about the Griz and NBA at large. This edition of Tuesdays with Tillery begins with more regarding Marc Gasol’s recovery process from foot surgery and ends on a note that comes from the fan base.

1. Gasol and the Grizzlies got their first test last week in managing the 7-footer’s recovery from surgery to repair a broken foot. Gasol said at the team’s annual media day in September that he was all but done with “pushing” himself to play despite discomfort. Coach David Fizdale echoed that sentiment by saying Gasol would sit out practices and games throughout the season. So why did Gasol play three games in five nights during the preseason when he acknowledged stiffness in his right foot early last Saturday before suffering a bone bruise in the game later that night?

When asked how he would adhere to the process in terms of deciding when not to play, Gasol said: “The way I find out is the next morning. During the game is harder because of adrenaline and all that. I know the next morning if I have to take a step back and hold off. But the mornings have been great. Every morning I wake up feeling good.

2. Speaking of Gasol, New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony compares his rookie Spaniard big man Willie Hernangomez to Gasol.

3. Pace has been a major topic in Griz training camp. To that end, how many players will Fizdale be inclined to use in his nightly rotation?

“At the pace I want to play and the level I want to defend, I don’t know if I can go with an eight-man rotation,” he said. “I’m going to go deep, closer to a 10-man rotation.”

4. Also, one has to wonder what the final roster will look like even though the Griz have 15 contracts. Fizdale sounds like former Griz coach Lionel Hollins when it comes to working with general manager Chris Wallace.

“The one good thing is we’re all on the same page. The best part is Chris Wallace takes my input,” Fizdale said. “He's been awesome from that standpoint. It hasn’t been 'shut up and coach.' It’s been ‘Coach, what do you think?’ That’s been great. I’m the type of guy where when we walk out of a room, we’re in agreement whether we disagreed in the room or not. We’re all on the same page with what kind of players we want here and what kind of style we want to play.”

Former Griz coach Dave Joerger, who was fired by the Griz following last season, notoriously battled management during his final two seasons with the franchise.

5. Speaking of Joerger … he is known in NBA circles for being a sweet-talker. Joerger has done it again by apparently getting a once disgruntled Rudy Gay back on board with the Sacramento Kings. Joerger signed a four-year deal in Sacramento after leaving Memphis.

6. From Mr. Numbers Game:

7. Conley will play off the ball this season more than ever.

“I like playing off the ball. I grew up just playing basketball. I wasn’t limited to just bringing the ball up the court. If somebody else brought the ball up, I went to the wing. I like being able to read the game, get backdoor cuts and open shots. It’s easier not having the ball in my hands all the time.”

8. Zach Randolph going to the bench is old news by now. What should be on the horizon is a new contract for the big man with the broad enough shoulders to carry this franchise into relevance. Fizdale wasn’t necessarily wrong to move a 35-year-old Randolph to the second unit.

The point is Randolph still has game and he’s done everything the Griz has asked of him on the court. Randolph has done even more off the floor. He’s in the last year of a deal that pays a mere $10 million and has worked hard to retire a Grizzly. Let the contract discussions begin because not ensuring that Randolph gets a new deal in Memphis would be criminal. Marc and Mike make the money but Z-Bo bullied this franchise forward.

9. Former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams is on the move again as the Milwaukee Bucks traded him to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Tony Snell. It’s a move designed to shore up the shooting guard spot for the Bucks, and one that should jump start Snell’s career. He wasn’t going to flourish in Chicago. So hats off to the Bulls for moving a player they don’t see as part of their future. This reminds me of when the Seattle SuperSonics shipped Eric Snow to Philadelphia because then-coach George Karl wouldn’t play him. Snow ended up with a $30 million contract so he could play point guard and allow Allen Iverson to operate off the ball.

10. And finally … the word on the street:

Ron,

I’m a huge Grizzlies fan but I am still questioning the hire of Coach Fiz. As a fan, I take the approach of not trusting a player or coach until they have earned my trust, similar to how (Tigers football) coach Norvell thinks in earning his players' trust. I know the players like Fiz now, but the question is: Will they like and trust him if we are close to not making the playoffs? Although the Griz haven't won an NBA championship we have had long-term success in the style we play and I hope the success continues. I understand as a writer you have to be upbeat this time of year before the season starts but I feel like your writings are a bit of fool’s gold in making fans believe Fiz is the real deal and we are going to be a great team. I would love to see a realistic article on what this team’s true strengths and weakness are and what could be the reasons we could succeed or even fail. I hope we have continued success but I believe the Griz are going to struggle early trying to adapt to his coaching and style of play.

Thanks,

Johnny C.