Fri Jun 20 09:37:27 2008

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Memphis Grizzlies 2008 Draft Preview

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(Sports Network) - The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to become an athletic team that pushes the ball up the court. The fifth and 28th overall picks should net them two players who can be a part of the future.

Twenty-one-year-old Rudy Gay had his best season, as he averaged a team- best 20.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in 81 games. The Connecticut product shot 46.2 percent from the floor, including 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. Gay is developing into the cornerstone of the franchise.

Sharp-shooting Mike Miller posted 16.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He shot 50.2 percent from the field, including an impressive 43.2 percent from three-point range.

Gay, Miller, Mike Conley Jr., Kyle Lowry, and Hakim Warrick are the main nucleus of the team. Javaris Crittenton and Darko Milicic also figure into the mix.

When the Grizzlies dealt big man Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers, they began to steer the team in a new direction. Head coach Marc Iavaroni, who completed his first season with Memphis, wants his club to play an up-tempo style.

If Memphis decides to go with the best player available, USC's OJ Mayo may be the pick if he is available. Mayo will fit in perfectly with the style of play the Grizzlies are trying to play.

A power forward would also be ideal at No. 5 for the Grizzlies. Darrell Arthur of Kansas and UCLA's Kevin Love are the best two available in the draft. They should both be available. Arthur would probably fit better into Memphis' style of play, while Love is a banger who is more equipped to play with a team who works more in a half-court set on offense.

Memphis does have some assets and could trade up from No. 28 if there is a player it is targeting. Lowry and Miller could be the subjects of trade talk on draft night and during the offseason.

2007-08 Results: 22-60, did not qualify for playoffs.

Key Player(s): Jason Collins (Center), Javaris Crittenton (Guard), Rudy Gay (Forward), Kyle Lowry (Guard), Darko Milicic (Forward), Mike Miller (Guard), Hakim Warrick (Forward).

Team Needs: Rebounding, size and another outside shooter.

Draft picks: 1st round (5th overall), 1st round (28th overall).