By Michael Wallace
Grind City Media
MEMPHIS – Tony Allen was already waiting just inside the door to the Grizzlies’ practice facility when the team’s shootaround Thursday morning ended and the media swarmed into the room.
If his instincts are just as good Thursday night, his team will be in great shape against one of the most unstoppable players the NBA has seen in a long time. With Kevin Durant having relocated to Golden State, Allen no longer has to split his time defending two Oklahoma City superstars.
It’s all about Russell Westbrook now.
As one of the NBA’s preeminent perimeter defenders, Allen faces what promises to be his toughest assignment Thursday when the Thunder and their triple-double machine enter FedExForum. Westbrook, the league’s early frontrunner for MVP honors, is winding down a historic 2016 after joining Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to post 30 triple-doubles in a calendar year.
“He’s doing everything – he’s carrying his team,” Allen said of Westbrook, who leads the NBA with 15 triple-doubles this season. “I stick elite players every night. But it’s just, he’s playing at an all-time elite level right now. So that’s what’s got y’all in my face right now.”
Westbrook’s onslaught has propelled the Thunder (20-12) to four consecutive wins and into fifth place in the overall Western Conference standings, two spots ahead of the slumping Grizzlies (20-14). Memphis has lost consecutive games and five of its last seven, but looks to finish out the month of December on a strong note. The Grizzlies have two chances to win their 10th game in December, which would set a franchise record for most victories in the month.
After Thursday, the Grizzlies close out December with a New Year’s Eve matinee in Sacramento to start a four-game California trip. That should add a bit more urgency to the mix heading into the home matchup with OKC, considering 13 of Memphis’ next 18 games will be away from FedExForum.
Grizzlies’ coach David Fizdale said there’s no need to look too far ahead because his team will have its hands full trying to contain Westbrook and the Thunder. Westbrook is averaging 31.7 points, 10.9 assists and 10.6 rebounds in 35.1 minutes a game. Fizdale said Thursday the only other player he’s seen attack the game with such all-around dominance in recent years has been LeBron James, whom Fizdale coached as an assistant for four seasons while with the Miami Heat.
“I’ve never seen a player like this,” Fizdale said of Westbrook. “I think the closest I’ve seen is LeBron when he’s really engaged. For him to be able to do this night in and night out, it’s special. We’re watching history take place right before our eyes. When we talk about the greats in this game and who’s the next great player, I don’t think there’s any question that he’s one of those guys.”
HEALTH REPORT
According to Fizdale, both Mike Conley (toe) and Chandler Parsons (knee) are expected to return to the lineup against OKC after sitting out Tuesday’s loss in Boston. Conley suffered a displaced toenail during Monday’s loss in Orlando, but went through Thursday’s shootaround. Parsons was held out against the Celtics for rest but has played three games since he returned from a month-long absence with a bruised left knee. Deyonta Davis (foot) and Brandan Wright (ankle) are out for Memphis. For the Thunder, guards Cameron Payne (foot) and Victor Oladipo (wrist) are out.
NUMBERS WATCH
190. The Grizzlies have played 190 consecutive games, including the playoffs, without allowing an opposing player to reach a triple-double. That streak dates to a Dec. 13, 2014 overtime win against Philadelphia when Michael Carter-Williams had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. The 190 games without allowing a triple-double represents the longest current active streak in the NBA. Westbrook has never recorded a triple-double against the Grizzlies in 26 career games.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Andrew Harrison.How this game will be officiated will be the most important development on the court Thursday night. Although Allen welcomes the primary task of defending Westbrook, expect the Grizzlies to use an all-hands-on-deck approach to stopping the most unstoppable force in the NBA right now. Don’t sleep on Harrison as a potential back-up defender on Westbrook. The rookie guard’s offense has been atrocious at times, and his shot has been off since the start of camp. But the two things Harrison has brought on a consistent basis this season have been solid defense and mental toughness. It’ll take plenty of both in those moments when he’s switched off on Westbrook. But at 6-6 and 213 pounds, Harrison’s size and uncanny ability to draw fouls on defenders could make him a viable candidate to help on Westbrook should Allen get into early foul trouble or in stretches when he needs a breather.
GRIZZ-TAKE
Fizdale reflecting on Westbrook’s workout in Las Vegas before the 2008 draft – I’ll never forget the year they were drafted. Not to call out (Michael Beasley), but one day we had to drag Beas out of the bed in Vegas to get him to the gym to work out. And Westbrook had already been in that gym for two hours, in full sweat. And he asked Beas, ‘Where you been?’ What I’m seeing now is a byproduct of the work this kid has put in. He was already on his way to this.
Listen to today’s Chris Vernon Show with special guest Michael Wallace
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