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Memphis Grizzlies
9. Western Conference - Southwest
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James Posey
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
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Record: 50-32 (6th in West)
Points Scored: 96.7 (7th in NBA)
Points Allowed: 94.3 (15th)
Coach: Hubie Brown
(third season with the Grizzlies)
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The 2003-04 Grizzlies led the league by winning 94.6% of the games in which they led after three quarters, and by rallying to win 14 times in the fourth quarter
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| LORENZEN WRIGHT |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
FT% |
| C |
144 |
9.4 |
6.8 |
1.1 |
0.89 |
0.69 |
43.9 |
73.3 |
| PAU GASOL |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
BPG |
SPG |
FG% |
FT% |
| PF |
30 |
17.7 |
7.7 |
2.5 |
1.69 |
0.56 |
48.2 |
71.4 |
| MIKE MILLER |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| SG |
109 |
11.1 |
3.3 |
3.6 |
0.91 |
43.8 |
37.2 |
72.3 |
| JASON WILLIAMS |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| PG |
94 |
10.9 |
2.0 |
6.8 |
1.28 |
40.7 |
33.0 |
83.7 |
| JAMES POSEY |
| POS. |
PVR |
PPG |
RPG |
APG |
SPG |
FG% |
3FG% |
FT% |
| SF |
63 |
13.7 |
4.9 |
1.5 |
1.67 |
47.8 |
38.6 |
83.0 |
| BENCH |
PVR |
2003-04 Stats |
| G-F |
BONZI WELLS |
120 |
12.3 ppg |
3.6 rpg |
1.9 apg |
1.26 spg |
42.7 FG% |
| G-F |
SHANE BATTIER |
151 |
8.5 ppg |
3.8 rpg |
0.73 bpg |
1.28 spg |
44.6 FG% |
| F |
BRIAN CARDINAL |
218 |
9.6 ppg |
4.2 rpg |
1.4 apg |
0.87 spg |
47.2 FG% |
| G |
EARL WATSON |
225 |
5.7 ppg |
2.2 rpg |
5.0 apg |
1.12 spg |
37.1 FG% |
| F |
STROMILE SWIFT |
230 |
9.4 ppg |
4.9 rpg |
1.53 bpg |
0.73 spg |
46.9 FG% |
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The embodiment of the team? An unsung forward who keeps getting better
Is there a player whose profile more closely mirrors his team's than swingman James Posey? Just as the Grizzlies finally gained traction in 2003-04, winning 50 games and reaching the playoffs for the first time in their nine-year history, Posey had a breakthrough season, starting every game and making a strong case that he's their best player. Just as the Grizzlies are firmly ensconced in Memphis -- they have a sparkling new 18,400-seat arena, FedEx Forum, to prove it -- Posey has proved he's a journeyman no more, having found a comfortable fit on the banks of the Mississippi. "James has a high basketball IQ, comes to play every night and has no problem sacrificing for the team," says team president Jerry West. "He is exactly what we want."
And just as Memphis's success was somewhat overlooked last year, so too was Posey's. He can still walk down Beale Street without fear of being accosted, and to all but the most ardent NBA fans he remains an unknown commodity in spite of credentials that make him an All-Star candidate. "I don't worry about being recognized, and I'm not really flashy," Posey says softly. "I just try to be a professional and do what the coaches want."
West signed the 6'8" Posey to a four-year, $22.5 million offer sheet in August 2003, which Houston declined to match. Expected to be a defensive stalwart, Posey was the team's second-highest scorer (behind Pau Gasol), shot a career-best 47.8% and slid seamlessly between positions. He also relished playing in coach Hubie Brown's 11-man rotation, though it limited his play to 29.9 minutes a game. "I would run through a brick wall for coach Brown," says Posey, 27. "He shows confidence in us, and we play together and play hard."
Spoken like a true company man. -- L. Jon Wertheim
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