Hornets played the Grizzlies
Yeah, it was a good game. Came close to beating them in the 4th but didn't. Rohan will put up a real recap [see bottom of this post - R], but I'll add some pics with some snarky comments cause that's how I roll (and I'm really tired)
The team was together
Trevor Ariza was back and somehow put our offense to shame by outscoring everyone except Jarrett Jack
Marco Bellinelli went 1-5 from three
Gustavo Ayon played 13 minutes and looked good despite not putting up many stats (for the record, I believe I'm the first person in all of Yahoo that added him to his fantasy team. true story!)
He looks like Jason Biggs in this photo. Strange.
Hornets tied it up in the 4th and then turned it over so many times, the fans were getting more stats than the players. Memphis won. Many beers were drank (and one poor fan had Marc Gasol land on them).
The end. See you in the morning.
[UPDATE, from Rohan] -
Don't have enough time for a full recap, so I'll just tack some thoughts on here in addition to Matt's photos.
- As much as we've been critical of Jarrett Jack being too much of a one-dimensional scorer and not looking for others enough, I actually thought the opposite was true tonight. In the fourth quarter especially, Jack was feeling it, but he passed up open (range) looks on three different occasions to swing the ball to Trevor Ariza or Marco Belinelli. I dig the unselfishness, especially on Ariza's return to the starting lineup, but when you connect on 11 of 15 looks, you're well within your rights to keep firing away.
- Before his injury, we saw a "new" Ariza offensively - one that slashed, cut, and took to the rim aggressively. Early signs on his return are that that may yet be the Ariza we get for the rest of the season. If you can look past his 5 turnover line, Ariza scored 18 points on 13 shots with 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and 7 (!) assists. The transition certainly helped, but if Ariza can be a positive offensive player (like he once was!) in addition to his defense, I'm not going to know what to do with myself.
- Disappointed that Monty Williams went with Jason Smith over Gustavo Ayon in the closing minutes. It was costly. Smith fumbled away a huge rebound at the 50 second mark, one that allowed Memphis an extra play with which they salted away the game. Ayon took just two shots in 13 minutes.
- Speaking of Ayon, I also really loved the European soccer style "ole" chant the Arena did for him. I heard it most prominently during his jump ball in the fourth quarter (which he won but Ariza couldn't control), but I'm sure Matt/Will/others can point out if it was used in other places as well.
- It was another very quiet night from Greivis Vasquez, something that's becoming more and more common of late. I'm not too worried yet (3 of his 5 missed shots were blocked), but he's certainly lost a little bit of the edge and aggression he showed in his first few games of the season.
- Just an awful, awful night for Emeka Okafor. The guy's been working hard on the glass and has been our best defender on the season, so I'm more than willing to simply let this one slide. Bad games - they happen. He'll have his hands full next time out though with Houston's Sam Dalembert, who has been staggeringly effective in the young season (127 offensive efficiency, or 25 points higher than league average).
- Good god, O.J. Mayo.
- Nice to see the three point shot vaguely make a comeback (5-12) although it was basically all Jack's doing (4-4). This was such a close game that none of the traditional four factors that account for winning (floor percentage, rebounding rate, turnover rate, free throw rate) singlehandedly put Memphis over the top. Rather, the Grizzlies marginally outperformed us in all four areas. It was a decidedly slow game too at 84 possessions.
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Was really hoping for a pic of Mardi Gras Murderbaby
Heard it returned tonight!
I took one
But I cant bear to look at it to edit it. It hurt my soul
Yeah!
Come on, Matt!
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 18, 2012 11:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I added him two days ago
He goes live on my team today. After that last game, I couldnt resist. He had 0% usage, meaning no one had him on their team
Got ya beat
added him Jan. 16 12:00 am:
http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/nba/52990/transactions
Question:
Does anyone know why Monty is not playing Landry more than 10-15 mins recently?? I heard/read that he was “a little banged up”, but he has no specific injury does he? I know we’re trying to work Ayon (who I like) into the mix along with Smith (perfect hustle/glue guy OFF THE BENCH, not starting) and the Twin Towers of Kaman and Okafor, but Landry is by far our best offensive weapon in the frontcourt…what gives?
Agreed, it's a bit weird
I don’t think it’s due to injury really. Monty really needs to give him consistent minutes. (Or he doesn’t! Michael Kidd-Gilchrist!)
This guy was starting in playoff games we were winning last year
I know his play has been terrible ,but the message is received. He needs to get minutes. Also, if you’re trying to send a message to Landry, at least give the minutes to Ayon, who could use the time to develop. Jason Smith is what he is at this point.
He did damage to Garnett this season!
What did he do to end up in Monty’s doghouse?
Lack of hustle
especially on the defensive end. Guess when a team struggles, a coach has to make an example of someone to hopefully spur others on? Maybe something happened in practice, etc?
Happy you pointed out that key missed Smith rebound
I was yelling at the tv when it happened cursing why Ayon or even Kaman were not in at that point.
second straight night
having the wrong big out cost us
(michael kidd gilchrist!)
by Rohan on Jan 19, 2012 1:39 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
The "Ole" chant
was actually “AY-ON.” Good one, BeeZanies. On the other hand, they did start a “Who dat say they gonna beat them Bees” No. Bad.
Also
I’m ready to give up on Aminu, at least as a SF. I just don’t see it. At least Julian Wright gave you flashes of basketball ability. I feel like Aminu just gives “Oh pretty, a dunk.”
I have hope
seeing the Deshawn Stevenson’s of the world land NBA contracts gives me hope someone could get through to him and become a valuable role player.
Further notes
I missed the AY-ON chants completely. Being partially deaf has real disadvantages.
Vasquez was a turnover machine last night. His ball handling was really sub-par and whoever was guarding him just reached and the ball was theirs.
Was it Smith who missed that rebound? The ball came in my directions and it looked like it went through several Bees’ hands before it landed comfortably in a Grizzlies hands.
Personal pet peeve: The Bee Zanies finish the National Anthem with “…and the home of the Hornets”. Do the Anthem as written or dont do it. The gal who sang the Anthem bore a striking resemblance to Jennifer Beals in Flashdance. Just sayin
I Can't Stand
When people give their own version of the anthem.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 19, 2012 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
I can barely stand when the singer goes all American Idol
My favorites are kids and musicians
Yeah
I’ll never forget the Super Bowl in Houston when Beyonce sang the anthem for about seven minutes lol.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 19, 2012 9:20 AM CST up reply actions
Ariza
Has really played well all year. I’m glad to have him back. What can be said about this loss that isn’t said about the others? The team fought hard to come back. turned the ball over a lot, couldn’t make shots when it mattered and, therefore, was unable to get out of the hole they dug themselves in. Sounds like…… every game the Hornets have played here lately. I think that Carl Landry NEEDS more minutes. Jason Smith is a player I’ve been critical of but he’s played better this year. I get that. But Monty’s infatuation with him has to stop. Give the 4 minutes to all three players but Landry needs more than 9 minutes. And it’s tough to give up on Aminu yet with all of his 3 minutes tonight. I’m just looking for a consistent rotation here soon but, then again, Monty never really developed one last season either.
"You play to win the game."
Matt's pictures
Really liked the first picture with just the rim lighting highlighting the silouettes. Very moody and atmospheric!
If Matt decided to do an article about taking pictures at the games, I’d be a keen reader. I’ve taken pictures at some of the local NZ Breakers game (only from the stands unfortunately). There’s a real art to sports photography (equipment selection, knowing where to stand to get the best shots, keeping the play in focus, coping with poor arena lighting etc etc) so I’d be interested to know what Matt’s learned from his experiences at the games.
#2 Sean Marks fan on the blogs
Icebird
Im not the best and I dont have the best equipment, so the comment is particularly appreciated. Im not a sports photographer most of the time. I do portraits (and if we ever get a player to sit for me, you’ll see what I can really do).
Dont know whether its an appropriate subject for a post, but Ill tell you what I know. Send an email to matt@stormsurgephoto.com and Ill see what I can do for you.

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