07-26-2006, 12:14 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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3 + 2 = 5
Join Date: Aug 2002
Age: 25
Posts: 21,813
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Gay, Lowry and Johnson to contribute immediately
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His cheeks filled with glee pumped in by the three newcomers sitting to his left.
Try to wipe away the contentment etched on Jerry West's face.
Just try.
It would take a basketball-size scouring pad, judging by the mood Tuesday in FedExForum where West officially introduced the Grizzlies' 2006 rookie class -- Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowry and Alexander Johnson.
West referred to one of them as an "all star" in the making.
He constantly teased another about his chatty and competitive nature, and expressed reverence about the other's head-to-toe toughness.
"Not to put any pressure on anyone," West eventually said, "but this is probably the happiest I've ever been walking out of a draft room."
The man that once finagled a way to grab Kobe Bryant for the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't hide his feelings.
West is, well, giddy about what Gay, Lowry and Johnson will bring to the Grizzlies.
Albeit far too early to determine just how large or small their impact may be, West wanted it known that the organization is counting on the rookies to do more than carry bags for veterans.
"We could not continue to do a patchwork lineup and get to where we want to be," West said about his aggressive draft strategy.
"We're going to stop piece-mealing a team together. ... And in the process, we did not blow this team up."
With that, the potential all star appeared polished, determined and a bit antsy to prove he's worthy of West's words.
"I expect a lot out of myself. Of course, I'd like to be Rookie of the Year and take the team past the first round. I want to have a strong showing," Gay said.
After walking the walk during summer-league play, Lowry talked the talked.
What can Grizzlies fans count on from him?
In a word: grit.
When asked to tell a story about being so competitive that he was once thrown out of an AAU game, Lowry offered only a sheepish grin.
"I don't know about that story," he said, "but I am competitive."
Johnson, sitting to his Lowry's left, laughed with everyone in the room.
But don't expect to see the beefy forward's cheesy smile often. Johnson acknowledged the team's need for an enforcer.
"That's how I've always played," Johnson said. "I'm ready to play that role."
West sounded so confident about Johnson's readiness to contribute in the paint that he told the assembled media "there was someone taken real high in the draft that I wouldn't trade him for."
The same goes for Gay.
"He has the ability to be an all-star player every year," West said before adding, "It's a bum rap that he disappears. ... He floats and glides."
Meanwhile, Griz coach Mike Fratello reiterated that he doesn't have an aversion for playing rookies.
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Read the rest here.
With Roberson out and Stoudamire's recovery now getting downplayed, Lowry could be the starter on opening day, barring a trade for a veteran point that West has been hinting at. Also, with the team not being able to get in touch with Stromile Swift and with Cardinal constantly injured, Johnson may already be ahead of them on the depth chart.
Swift needs to return a phone call. Every day he doesn't means that Johnson is that much closer to taking all his minutes. Then, Stro's going to have to expend a lot of energy putting on a sulky, pouty face.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ballscientist
Prove me wrong, man. Prove me wrong!
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Gay, Lowry and Johnson to contribute immediately
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