Memphis Grizzlies Blog – Page 27 – NBA Blog

Grizzlies sign Ryan Hollins to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has signed center Ryan Hollins to a 10-day contract.

Hollins (7-0, 240) enters his third stint with the Grizzlies this season. After joining Memphis for training camp, he was re-signed on Dec. 29 and made four regular season appearances before he was waived on Jan. 7. The 31-year-old also played five games, making three starts, for the Washington Wizards earlier this season.

The 10-year NBA veteran has averaged 3.7 points on 58.1 percent shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 490 career games (67 starts) with the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. The Pasadena, Calif. native was selected by Charlotte in the second round (50th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft following his senior season at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Marc Gasol needs to step up for Grizzlies

Here’s the Memphis Commercial Appeal reporting on Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, who has taken a step back in the effectiveness department this season:

First play of the game against the Denver Nuggets. Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger draws up a play to get Marc Gasol a bucket inside. It works, beautifully. Gasol gets the ball under the hoop. And without hesitation, Gasol zips a pass to Jeff Green, standing beyond the 3-point line. Green misses the jumper. Grizzlies fans everywhere want to scream.

Why didn’t Gasol just take the bleeping shot?

What exactly is running through the man’s head?

Didn’t he just say that he was going to “break plays and take it to the hole?”

And, finally: What is wrong with Marc?

As the Grizzlies prepare to take on the Boston Celtics at FedExForum, that last one is the question of the day. Nearly twelve months after being named a first-team All-Star, and nearly six months after signing his new $113 million deal, Gasol is struggling to emerge from a funk.

His scoring (17.4 points to 15.9), shooting percentage (.494 to .450) and rebounding (7.8 to 7.3) are all down from a year ago. In his last four games, Gasol has made just 18 of 60 shots (30 percent). And while Gasol finally mustered the aggressiveness to take 17 shots Friday night against the Nuggets, he made just five.

Grizzlies medical updates on Jordan Adams and Jarell Martin

The Memphis Grizzlies today announced medical updates for guard Jordan Adams and forward Jarell Martin.

Adams (6-5, 209) will undergo a surgical procedure on his right knee on Tuesday, January 12 at the Campbell Clinic, which will be performed by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Robert Miller. There currently is no timetable for his return. The 21-year-old holds career averages of 3.2 points and 0.9 rebounds in 8.2 minutes in 32 games (zero starts) since he was selected by Memphis in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft following his sophomore season at UCLA. The Atlanta native has appeared in two games this season.

Martin (6-10, 239) sustained a bone bruise in his left foot while playing for the Grizzlies’ D-League affiliate, the Iowa Energy, and will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days. The injury is unrelated to his previous foot injury. Selected by Memphis in the first round (25th overall) of the 2015 NBA Draft after his sophomore season at Louisiana State University, the 21-year-old Baton Rouge native has played two games for the Grizzlies and four games for the Energy during his rookie season.

Grizzlies sign Elliot Williams to 10-day contract

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has signed guard Elliot Williams to a 10-day contract as a Call Up from the NBA Development League’s Santa Cruz Warriors.

Williams (6-5, 183) leads the D-League in scoring at 28.1 points per game (.500 FG/.361 3P/.794 FT) and also averages 7.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 40.9 minutes in 16 games (all starts) this season for Santa Cruz. He was named D-League Player of the Month for games played in November.

Last season, Williams was named a D-League All-Star and recognized on the Second Team All-D-League after averaging 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 36.0 minutes in 29 games for the Warriors, ranking fifth in the D-League in assists and 10th in scoring. He helped guide Santa Cruz through a seven-game march to the 2015 D-League Championship and captured Finals MVP honors after averaging 27.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 40.0 minutes during the Warriors’ two-game sweep.

The 26-year-old holds NBA career averages of 5.1 points and 1.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes in 104 games (two starts) for the Portland Trail Blazers, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans. A Memphis native, Williams played high school basketball at St. George’s Independent School in Collierville and collegiately for the University of Memphis after transferring from Duke University. The 2008 McDonald’s All-American was selected by Portland in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2010 NBA Draft after he averaged 17.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists during his sophomore season with the Tigers.

Grizzlies waive Ryan Hollins

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has waived center Ryan Hollins.

Hollins (7-0, 240) averaged 1.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.00 blocks in 7.0 minutes in four games with Memphis since signing with the Grizzlies on Dec. 29. The 31-year-old has averaged 3.7 points on 58.1 percent shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 490 career games (67 starts) over a 10-year NBA career with the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Pasadena, Calif. native was selected by Charlotte in the second round (50th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft following his senior season at UCLA.

Zach Randolph coming off bench for Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are a disappointing 19-17 this season, and in an effort to regroup changed their starting lineup a while back. Here’s the Oklahoman reporting the latest on veteran power forward Zach Randolph, who has played 31 games this season but only started in 20 of them:

Zach Randolph continues to come off bench for Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were throttled by 37 points in their last meeting against the Thunder. In that game, veteran Zach Randolph was a starter.

In 11 of the 14 games since that 125-88 blowout, however, the burly power forward has come off the bench for Memphis, as the Grizzlies have transitioned to a small ball lineup to start games. The Thunder’s small-ball efficiency in the two teams’ last matchup may have been a turning point for Memphis, as Matt Barnes has replaced Randolph as a starter at power forward.

“It’s not about you. If you feel a certain way and want to do something negative then you’re not professional,” Randolph told the Memphis Commercial Appeal about his role change. “I’m going to play and prove I can still do what I do.”

Since making the move to the bench, Randolph has shot 53 percent from the field in 25 minutes a game and is still finishing games. The Grizzlies, however, are only 5-6 in the latest string of non-starts for Randolph.

Grizzlies sign Ryan Hollins, waive Russ Smith

The Memphis Grizzlies announced today that the team has signed center Ryan Hollins and waived guard Russ Smith.

Hollins (7-0, 240) is a 10-year NBA veteran who has averaged 3.7 points on 58.1 percent shooting and 2.2 rebounds in 486 career games (67 starts) with the Charlotte Bobcats, Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards. The Pasadena, Calif. native was selected by Charlotte in the second round (50th overall) of the 2006 NBA Draft following his senior season at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The 31-year-old joined the Grizzlies during their 2015-16 training camp and averaged 5.4 points on 83.3 percent shooting and 3.0 rebounds in 11.5 minutes in seven preseason games. Most recently, he made five appearances (three starts) for Washington before he was waived on Dec. 23.

Smith (6-0, 165) holds NBA career averages of 2.0 points and 0.7 assists in 4.9 minutes in 27 games (zero starts) with the Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. The 24-year-old recorded 2.3 points in 4.9 minutes in 21 games for Memphis after he was acquired from New Orleans in a trade on Jan. 12. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round (47th overall) of the 2014 NBA Draft following his senior season at the University of Louisville.

Matt Barnes suspended over incident with Derek Fisher

Memphis Grizzlies forward Matt Barnes has been suspended for two games without pay for engaging in a physical altercation with and threatening New York Knicks’ Head Coach Derek Fisher, the NBA announced today. The altercation occurred on October 3, 2015 in Redondo Beach, CA. The NBA conducted its own investigation into the matter.

Barnes’ suspension will begin when the Grizzlies face the Miami Heat on Tuesday, Dec. 29 at FedExForum.

On October 7, 2015 the New York Post reported: “Knicks coach Derek Fisher was attacked in Los Angeles by NBA bad boy Matt Barnes, who drove 95 miles to “beat the s—t out of him” when he found out Fisher was romancing his estranged wife, sources told The Post on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 Barnes, who now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, made a fast break from his team’s California training camp Saturday when he was tipped off that Fisher was making time with sultry “Basketball Wives LA” star Gloria Govan in the home Barnes once shared with her.”

Brandan Wright will have knee surgery

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Brandan Wright will undergo a surgical procedure on his right knee, the team announced today. The surgery will be performed by team physician Dr. Fred Azar and Dr. Barry Phillips tomorrow at the Campbell Clinic. There currently is no timetable for his return.

Wright (6-10, 210) has averaged 6.6 points on 60.0 percent shooting, 3.4 rebounds and 1.43 blocks in 17.1 minutes in seven games with the Grizzlies this season.

The eighth overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft from the University of North Carolina, the 28-year-old owns NBA career averages of 7.1 points on 60.6 percent shooting, 3.7 rebounds and 1.02 blocks in 16.4 minutes in 367 games (54 starts) over eight seasons for Golden State, New Jersey, Dallas, Boston, Phoenix and Memphis.

Mario Chalmers plays on road in Miami Sunday

The Memphis Grizzlies visit the Miami Heat Sunday (6 p.m. ET), and the matchup brings Grizzlies backup guard Mario Chalmers (averaging a career-high 11.1 ppg this season) back to Miami and the arena he used to call home. Expect love for Chalmers from fans. As for players? Here’s the South Florida Sun Sentinel reporting:

Chris Bosh plans to keep it simple.

“I’ll probably yell at him during the game for old-time’s sake,” he said.

Dwyane Wade also envisions a basic welcome.

“I’m taking him into the post,” he said. “He going to foul me.”

Both laughed, mostly because of the countless times that Mario Chalmers made them smile.

At a time when both teams are struggling to gain their footing, Sunday’s game between the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies at AmericanAirlines Arena will be about more than the moment.

It will be about the moments Chalmers helped create for the Heat, especially during that run to four consecutive NBA Finals and two NBA championships.