The “Heroic” Struggle Between the Boston Celtics and the Memphis Grizzlies
by edwzipper on Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 at 08:03am
At stake, the best odds for being in the Kevin Durant/Greg Oden driver’s seat. The contenders:
—The Boston Celtics, making a historic (for their franchise) run toward the worst record in the NBA, and now proud owners of a 15-game losing streak. Now owners of a 12-35 record (still good for only second worst record in the NBA). Plan for maintaining horridness? Continue to rely on the youngest roster in the NBA for significant minutes and stash Paul Pierce somewhere near Siberia to make certain he doesn’t return to the court from his injury in time to fuck things up and get the Celtics some meaningless wins.
—The Memphis Grizzlies, losers of three in row, but more imporantly, a commitment to overall losing that has enabled them to withstand the valiantly awful charge of the Celtics and cling to the worst record in the NBA at 12-37. Plan for maintaining horridness? Either deal best player or hold on to best player over his wishes and watch his indifferent play return, coupled with his allegries to defense to eat away at the team from the middle.
Best odds at finishing dead last? The Grizzlies, still, with a nod of appreciation to how bad the Celtics apparently want this. Like real estate, it’s all about location. And Boston’s location in the Eastern Conference will give them too many extra opportunities to slip and win some games they are going to want to lose.
Last laugh in all this? Karma. Watch the season-long tanking efforts amount to nothing at the lottery, and two other teams luck into bright futures with Durant or Oden.