Are the Grizzlies the worst team name in the NBA? (Nuggets/Grizzlies Preview)...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 27, 2009 2:28 PM MST

Most NBA pundits will tell you that the worst team names in the NBA are the Los Angeles Lakers (because the Los Angeles area has very few, if any, lakes) and the Utah Jazz (the Mormons may be known for their Tabernacle Choir, but certainly not their proficiency with the saxophone, trumpet, trombone or clarinet). Anyone who knows anything about the NBA knows that the Lakers were originally based in Minneapolis (hence the name "Lakers") and that the Jazz originated in New Orleans (hence the name "Jazz"). There have even been rumors in the past of a possible name swap between the two franchises.

Given their geographical locations, the Lakers and Jazz are certainly two of the worst named teams in professional sports. But given that Los Angeles and Utah decided to retain their original team names since 1959 and 1979, respectively, I give the Lakers and Jazz a pass.

The Memphis Grizzlies, on the other hand, have no excuse to be named the Grizzlies. Yes, they originated in Vancouver, but so what? Were the trademark fees so cost prohibitive that they had to retain a name that makes no sense in Memphis whatsoever? (On a side note, the Grizzlies were originally going to be named the "Mounties." Would they be the Memphis Mounties today?) And when the NBA shot down the Grizzlies organization's attempt to be named the Memphis Express - because Memphis is the home to Federal Express - they didn't have another name as a backup?

I know its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but I can't shake it: why the @#$% is a team based in Memphis named the Grizzlies? Not only do grizzly bears only live Alaska, western Canada, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming and possibly even Colorado, they don't live anywhere near the state of Tennessee and never have. This offends me as both an NBA fan and a former attendee of the Denver Zoo Camp.

Even the Seattle Supersonics and their karmically rotten ownership group had the good sense to rename their team the "Thunder" upon moving to Oklahoma City. Otherwise, the Oklahoma City Supersonics would have shared the worst-team-name-in-the-NBA honor with the Grizzlies.

Fortunately for the Nuggets - who face off against the Grizzlies at Memphis tonight - the current incarnation of the Grizzlies are playing as poorly and incoherently as their team name. At 11-32, the Grizzlies are on the verge of losing their 10th straight (they better lose their 10th straight tonight) and sixth straight game to our Denver Nuggets. Making matters worse in Memphis, the Grizzlies rank 29th out of the NBA's 30 teams in attendance.

Maybe a third franchise move is in order to a metropolitan area that can actually support an NBA team like San Diego, St. Louis, or, dare I say, Las Vegas. But of course, grizzly bears aren't indigenous to any of those areas, either.

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The OKC ownership had no choice. Seattle retained the rights to the name Sonics and retained the rights to all of the records and history of that franchise. The Clippers came from San Diego and kept the name, but I guess you might see some clipper ships in LA. When they first moved to San Diego, they dumped the "Braves" and left that name in Buffalo. What about the Kings via Kansas City? I think Sacramento actually fits the Kings name because it is the capital city of California, but it is no longer an alliteration.

by Anonymous on Jan 27, 2009 3:30 PM MST reply actions

Oh, and one other one. Are there really any hornets any New Orleans? Who knows?

by Anonymous on Jan 27, 2009 3:32 PM MST reply actions

Hornets is a little ridiculous on principle (is there a huge hornet infestation in CHarlotte?) but I think that the worst NBA team name has to go to the Wizards.
First, it's a dumb name.
Second, it has nothing to do with Washington DC at all (Capitals, Senators, Nationals etc... all would have been better choices.
Finally, while I love Bullets as a team nickname, I understand the NBA and team's interest in not keeping that as the team nickname is one of the more violent cities in America. But when they solicited the fans to vote for the new nickname, the team and league NEVER released the vote totals and this seems sketchier than this years remarkable come back by CP over TMac in the all star balloting.
And why is an alliteration better than not?

by Eric B on Jan 27, 2009 3:51 PM MST reply actions

The Jazz and Lakers are fine with me as well because both of those names carry a lot of history behind them but the Hornets, Thunder, Grizzlies, Raptors, ect should all be forced to find some more original names. I think the Raptors are by far the worst name. Who wants to be named after a dinosaur? How about the Denver Triceratops? Not very intimidating.

by Goldennugget on Jan 27, 2009 3:52 PM MST reply actions

Take a step back and realize you're a fan of a team called the "Nuggets". I'm an even more die-hard fan than you and I acknowledge that it's the worst/gayest name in sports.

by My name is Luke. on Jan 27, 2009 3:56 PM MST reply actions

Should be an easy win, then again we are the Nuggets and have a tendancy to play down to teams

by RyaninAurora on Jan 27, 2009 4:03 PM MST reply actions

Hell no Luke, the Nuggets is a bad ass name. Nuggets is supposedly short for Gold Nuggets, see Colorado's rich mining history. But really, it could also mean nugs which you find in bowls, which to me has a lot more meaning. So GO NUGS and beat the lame ass Griz! And happy 420 to everyone.

by Anonymous on Jan 27, 2009 4:43 PM MST reply actions

I was living in Virginia when the Bullets were renamed. The other names under consideration weren't fantastic either. The options were
Dragons, Express, Stallions, Sea Dogs, or Wizards. I still secretly wish that they had chosen Sea Dogs because the name would have been so terrible it would have actually been great! Grizzlies would be no competition for the Washington Sea Dogs!

Let's hope for another snoozer tonight. Let's get some minutes for Weems, Petro, and the rest of the bench.

by KarlSucks on Jan 27, 2009 4:45 PM MST reply actions

Washington Sea Dogs would have been epic, and Nuggets is an awesome name because like our anonymous stoner pointed out it can carry a double meaning, I often wondered if all those people texting Nugz for info on the Nugget ever show up on the patriot act radar. Also the "Gotta love my Nuggets" T-are open to so many different interpretations. I agree that the Raptors is a stupid name, does anyone know if they have discovered Raptor bones in Toronto because that is the only thing that makes sense, I think Memphis should re-name to something that has to do with the rich music culture of the area, but then again if they move it will be the same situation as the Jazz (who my sister, not an avid sports fan at all, said was the dumbest name for a team she had ever heard and then required me to go into a lengthy discussion on how the name Jazz originated and then that led into a discussion for why teams choose to relocate) all in all I agree with Andrew in that the Grizz are the dumbest name in basketball (and in a tie with the Philly Eagles, though i've never been to Philly, I highly doubt the number of Eagles to be found in the city, if anyone can clarify this for me i would love to hear it)

by Zachm219 on Jan 27, 2009 5:37 PM MST reply actions

i just read on hoopsworld that dumars wants to part ways with A.I...
anybody interested? just kidding

by MZG on Jan 27, 2009 6:01 PM MST reply actions

WTF, when you insert AC you play four on five. With the amount of minutes he plays he should be able to help more. Every once in a great while he has a game and every one says how great he is. He sucks. He has no offense to help out when the Nuggets are behind.

by samiam on Jan 27, 2009 6:59 PM MST reply actions

Question, when AC JR and Chauncey are in the game at the same time who's what?
CB is the PG
JR is the SG
AC is what? A liability

by samiam on Jan 27, 2009 8:28 PM MST reply actions

Actually its AC as your PG
CB as your SG
and JR as the SF
good game tonight minus the first quarter and the small lapse in the end of 3rd/beginning of fourth. Nugz still yet to lose to an inferior team.

No love from Sonny tonight, ah well

by Zachm219 on Jan 27, 2009 8:41 PM MST reply actions

My Name is Luke - How is the "Nuggets" a dumb name? It has a lot of history behind it and like Anonymous explained it attracts a lot of stoners who want to be affiliated with some sort of sports team.

KarlSucks - Dragons? Are you serious? The head of the naming organization for the Wizards must have been a huge World of Warcraft fan, because that name just doesn't belong on any sports franchise in America (maybe China?). I think Express would have been way cool, it reminds me of one of my favorite flicks, "Midnight Express". Stallions is not bad. Even Sea Dogs in my opinion is better than Wizards. There must be a lot of "Mindfreaks" in Washington...

OK, one more thing. Did anybody else hear Hastings talking Marc Gasol being a tough guy stuck in a "Baby Huey" body? Man that way hilarious, not what he said about Marc but he turns to Marlowe and goes "Yeah, imagine you being 7'1, and that is what Marc Gasol is." I thought it was quite hysterical, and I think you kind of had to be there, but did anybody else find humor our of this as well? Just wondering.

by Goldennugget on Jan 27, 2009 8:47 PM MST reply actions

Thanks for the clairification:
Do you know of any PG that play for 22 minutes and not score a point?

by samiam on Jan 27, 2009 8:49 PM MST reply actions

Decent win. At least the Nuggets are beating the teams they're supposed to beat now. And tomorrow is our LAST game without Melo! Bring on them Hornets!

by Anonymous on Jan 27, 2009 8:49 PM MST reply actions

i know a lot of you guys a frustrated by seein AC on the court that much and to be honest, i don't like hime that much either. but most of the times he gives the nuggets some productive minutes. he shares the ball very well and he rarly commits stupid turnovers like the rest of the pack. i guess karl tends to keep him a bit too long out there at times but he likes his veteran style of play. he doesn't score - and doesn't need to - he's there to defend and to pass the ball to the open man.

by MZG on Jan 27, 2009 8:50 PM MST reply actions

Anthony Carter is ok in my book. The guy gives it his all every minute he is on the floor and runs the offense great not to mention all the charges he takes and steals he gets. He is as good of a backup PG as you will find in the league.

by Goldennugget on Jan 27, 2009 8:58 PM MST reply actions

Philadelphia has a lot of US history tied to it.. signing of the declaration of independence, liberty bell, etc, hence the name Eagles, as in a symbol of the US.

by DeezNugs on Jan 27, 2009 9:13 PM MST reply actions

I appreciate the comments and insight as to the roll of the backup point guard. However, I don't know of any in the leauge that have played so many minutes and not score a single point. Please correct me if I wrong.
To the other person who says he doesn't make turnovers, well he's known as the OMTO (one man turn over) on some other blogs. Every one keeps saying that he's a good back up, how many minutes is a back up playing?
As far as scoring is concerned, he needs to score something when he shoots. The Nuggets are playing four on five with him on the floor. He doesn't give them a decent chance at ripping out the jugular and getting momentum going.
Veteran leadership is provided by CB,KM and Melo. AC just doesn't give the Nuggets the best chance at winning. Whats's going to happen when we need some scoring from that position and he's in the game?
Twenty Two minutes and zero points. To each his own.

by samiam on Jan 27, 2009 9:44 PM MST reply actions

Good game Nuggets, I hope we can get some taco bell from tomorrows game.
Charolte is playing the Lakers tough! They have some BIGS and Larry Brown.

by samiam on Jan 27, 2009 10:09 PM MST reply actions

3 tacos for a dollar from taco bell is not a deal... you couldn't pay me a dollar to eat three tacos from taco bell.

by DeezNugs on Jan 27, 2009 11:12 PM MST reply actions

Samiam and other AC critics - You have to realize what you guys are criticizing him for, which is his playing time, which he can't control, that is up to Karl. Blame Karl for giving him so many minutes, don't blame AC because he is one of the hardest workers on the floor and as many turnovers as he gets, (I don't notice hardly any) he gets many more steals, assists, and great plays. So stop criticixing the guy for something he can't control! Sure I wish he had a better jumper but the same can be said with half the guys on our team (Balkman, Jones, K-Mart, ect). At least Carter takes the shot when he is open, Jones doesn't even try!

by Goldennugget on Jan 27, 2009 11:18 PM MST reply actions

Goldennugget,
As I said to each his own, however he has so many assists because he knows he can't knock down the "open shot". There are so many times when he should shoot the ball and doesn't. His teammates hardly ever look for him to make a shot because they know he's going to miss. In one game, Melo looked to the bench and told GK to get him out and CB in. The Utah game he went 1-9. And he does for a "back up" turn the ball over quite a bit. As far as GK being an idiot for keeping him in, I'll give you that. One of them is doing something well to the other. Danthay is getting more minutes and does a better job at making shots, he's a better scorer than Boy Wonder. And why not critize the Boy Wonder when it is up to him to work on his game to make his shot and have some offense in his game. To play twenty two minutes and not score a single point playing the point guard position does not give the Nuggets the best opportunity to win. He does nothing so spectacular on defense than anyother player wouldn't do if given the opportunity. You say DJ stinks when he doesn's get half the PT as Boy Wonder.y. And I say Boy Wonder sucks and need to start making some shots. To each his or her own.

by samiam on Jan 28, 2009 12:05 AM MST reply actions

It is simply not necessary to criticize. For what? We are winning, bottom line. Like I said he gives 110% every night and no matter what the situation we have never lost because Carter can't hit at shot, never. In fact it is quite the opposite as he hit a game winner last season. And it isn't like he is just jacking em up. He takes the shot when he has to and usually it doesn't go in, but it's nothing to loose sleep over. Plus, that is not his job to knock down js, that is up to Melo, Kleiza, JR and Chauncy. Carter is in there for defensive purposes, that is probably why he gets so much playing time. I would argue Jones is much more worthless than Carter. What does he do? He doesn't rebound, doesn't get assists, is ok on the defensive side of the ball and not once this year have I seen him even attempt a shot, he just goes to the hoop every time. It is just weird to me how there are so many Carter haters on this site. Every time I watch the guy I am quite impressed as to what he brings to the table.

by Goldennugget on Jan 28, 2009 1:41 AM MST reply actions

again, i don't like ac's game that much but we still have to be fair...
let me back up my standpoint: carter plays 24 minutes a game. his stats per contest are 6 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.2 steals while turning the ball over 2 times. that's an eff rating of 10+. jones has an eff rating of 6+, because he doesn't show up on the statsheet...
carter ranks #11 in assists per 48, and #14 in steals per 48 minutes. he's 29th in assits per turnover and 34th in steals per turnover. that's not bad.
ok, he doesn't shoot well, but, as I said before, he just doesn't need too. he does all the other things.
i am not a big fan of the +/- but the most effective 5 man line-up, according to the +/- stat, is:
carter, andersen, nene, smith, kleiza

by MZG on Jan 28, 2009 2:45 AM MST reply actions

Honestly, AC's most valuable asset is eating up minutes while still being effective. Chauncey is no young pup. And the more minutes AC is on the floor, the more fresh Chauncey is. AC and D Jones are specialists who give the better plays rest, while not killing the team, and keeping up the intensity. AC keeps the offense in motion; a scoring backup PG (think Boykins) kills the offensive movement, then when CB comes back in, everybody is just standing around.

by john on Jan 28, 2009 7:46 AM MST reply actions

Carter is to the point-guard position what Birdman is to center - awkward and out of control. In addition to being a poor shot, Carter can't pass all that well either - please don't waste another possession on a failed alley-oop attempt. Still though, he can get the job done. I look at it this way, if the Spurs could win with Jacques Vaughn - another AC-like back up -playing back-up point we can win with AC.

by JTR on Jan 28, 2009 12:19 PM MST reply actions

Go Nuggets. An ugly, ugly game but glad we got the win.

Man, Kleiza is so shooting the second he touches the ball, every time. Playing the contract year game. Saw this stat at Roundball: Kleiza has recorded zero assists 21 times this season in 44 games. (That was after the Utah game- he recorded one assist last night).

I like LK but I wouldn't be against trading him for a legitimate big man off the bench.

Also, I love the name NUGGETS. And I like the idea of the 'D.C. Sea Dogs.' As far as the Wizards are concerned, they should have to wear wizard robes, wizard beards, and wizard hats for their pregame warm-ups and when they're on the bench. Just sayin.

by Drew on Jan 28, 2009 12:44 PM MST reply actions

niether jones or carter are the reason the nuggets will win or lose games, i'm not a great fan of either guy they mostly get their minutes to perform on the defense so if they walk away with a few points on the board here and there its not that big of a deal as long as they are getting the job done on defense, having said that though, i think jones's D is often over rated and why he starts (even considering his defence ability) is a mystery to me. this is a guy who 6 months ago was jobless and it was looking like he might not even make it back into the NBA and now he's a nuggets starter? ahead or JR!! way to go GK

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 1:58 PM MST reply actions

Facts: (NBA.com)

Chauncey Billups: 6.7 APG (11th) 2.95 AST/TO ratio (13th)

Anthony Carter: 4.8 APG (32nd) 2.39 AST/TO ratio (31st)

That's a pretty good one-two punch for PGs. I also heard last night that AC's 4.8 APG is second in the league among non-starting PGs, though I can't find that quickly on NBA.com.

I'd say given AC's serviceable offensive numbers and defensive reliability, he's a pretty durn good backup PG. If people have a problem with him it's because he's playing at the extent of his potential, which is, as I said, merely serviceable. It would be nice to see the Nuggs draft a young PG in the near future with a high upside, to be groomed as CB's ultimate replacement. But right now AC fits the bill for a winning team AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACT THAT WE'RE WINNING.

Seems to me people who complain about the state of the Nuggets forget about the history of the Nuggets (read: losing).

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 2:11 PM MST reply actions

Just don't be asking yourselves what was he doing when he gets posted up,turns the ball over and miss his shots. You want to settle for mediocrity and complancentcy AC is your man.

by samiam on Jan 28, 2009 6:49 PM MST reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.