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But, you knew that.

Still, for those of us hoping in Memphis for a year with 30+ wins in a step back toward respectability, it has been pretty suck-tastic in reality. From the seven or so people still paying attention in Memphis, here’s the good report:

Rudy Gay is good.

Mike Conley probably will be (if he could ever get over his shoulder issue).

Darko Milicic can probably anchor the 5 for awhile competently.

And, the bad report:

Pau Gasol is hopelessly lost in Marc Iavaroni’s system and is re-defining listless when it comes to effort. As has been the case for about two years now (follow that link for a great blog by several of the team’s remaing seven fans).

Mike Miller still couldn’t defend your grandmother.

Stro Swift remains Stro Swift.

No one has any idea how to use Hakim Warrick.

And Kyle Lowry is regressing. And possess’s quite possibly the least respected jump shot of any point guard in the history of the NBA.

They have, at best, no identity, no passion, no leader, and no clue. Other than that, how was the play, Mrs. Lincoln?

So, what next? What’s next is everyone on that team outside of Gay, Conley, and Milicic should be available in a deal. And should be actively shopped. Chris Wallace is claiming to be in no rush to work a deal, and that’s the right note to sound, but he damn sure best be looking. Because the Grizzlies are NOT simply a player or two away from respectability, they are a whole series of new players away from same. And the best way to get those players is to deal pieces with value. Gasol, Miller, Stoudamire (expiring contract), and Warrick all have value of varying degree. Time to start cashing that value in.

As an aside, another reason to do so would be to generate something approaching interest from the seven remaining fans. They are impossible to watch right now, and people have long since tuned out yet another mail-in job from this team. If something doesn’t happen good for that franchise, and soon, it will be in another city just as soon as the lease on the Forum runs out five or so years from now.

At least the local college basketball team is pretty damn good…