Tonights Player/Game Breakdown

[Gambit99]

Game Breakdown:

1st qtr: we were ICE COLD...we couldn't buy a shot until the middle of the qtr, but we held Mem pretty well and caught up by the end of the qtr...the refs were horrible on both sides

2nd qtr: even play on both sides...player seem more aggressive as a team...the last 2min the line up was Lue,Ivey,DSmith,JSmith and Zaza and all they did was commit fouls and turnovers...the refs were horrible

3rd qtr: Mem got hot from 3pt (Jackson & Jones) land to extend their lead...other than that a fine qtr...the refs were horrible

4th qtr: Much better defense and shot selections...Zaza looked extremely nervous shooting free throws and for some reason Woody didn't have Smoove in during the last two defensive stands(?)...the refs weren't horrible, but still interupted the flow of the game with tacky calls.

JJ: Poor early on, but really played hard the second half...brought the ball up most of the second half and ran some good breaks that ended in Mem fouls...good shot selections and passes/decisions

Lue: Decent defense, but good rotations...missed alot of good oportunities to hit the open man low...good shot selection

Childress: Good defense, but couldn't buy a shot...missed two free throws at the begining of the game...rode pine most of the game...when he was open he didn't get the ball

Al: Struggled...over compensated on low post shots thinking Gasol or Wright were going to smoother him, so the ball went over the rim...seemed intemidated by Gasol's length...made an important basket in the last few min, but didn't play defense during the last play, which allowed Battie to tip it to Gasol

Zaza: The goat of the game...nervs...after getting a rebound and being fouled, missed two game winning free throws at the end,but...played hard all game...doesn't have any explosion under the basket and was block/smoothered by Gasol/Wright too often...didn't box out during the last play, Gasol had a free shot

JSmith: Played better defense and seemed more aggressive...looks to take the 17ft'er too often, could have driven and got fouled with the shot attemt about four times...Gasol blocked the hell out of one of his drives and he really didn't drive after that...he should have been in during the last two plays...was having a good defensive game

Marv: Good shot selections...decent defense...he did well, but needs to rotate on defense better

Salim: Showed up his cousin...couldn't buy a shot early, but came through with some timely 3's and jump shots...3rd qtr Jackson was lighting up 3's in his face

Edwards: He must have gotten mad cause I said he needs to live in the gym...played aggressive on defense and offense...his best game yet and something to build on...he may actually turn out to be a good backup this year...still needs to live in the gym tho'

Ivey/DSmith: Why in the hell were they in the game in the last 2min of the 1st half...all they did was foul or stand there...

Coaching: See above(Ivey/DSmith)...the last defensive play the line up should have been JJ,Chill,Smith,Zaza,Edwards...you're up by one with ten seconds = good defensive guards and big 3,4,5...no one was crashing the offensive boards, just stand there and back peddle

Just my observations, but the little things hurt us the most...it was a team effort and a team lose, but I'm encouraged by what I saw and will continue to go to/watch games.