This week begins the NBA 2007-08 season. I'm very excited about that, because it's the first season for one of my favorite players, Juan Carlos Navarro (aka La Bomba, and more recently Instant Grids) . Memphis Grizzlies acquired him from FCB Basketball last summer. He is not the best player I've ever seen (even between FIBA players), and I know that he's got several weakness, specially in defense. But, his quickness, his excellent ball-handling and shot, and of course, his famous long layups... make him a delightful player to me.
Instant Grids is currently the third player in minutes in Memphis, he plays 24.1 MPG (0.5 less minutes than Mike Miller and 5.6 less than Rudy Gay), and the second player in PPG with 11.8 points (after RG with 15.1 points). He has played in all 8 pre-season games, in which he's shot 33-80 (41.25%) from the floor, 18-43 (41.9%) from 3-pt range and 10-12 (83.3%) from the free throw line, and he has never started a game. Of course, this is the preseason.
In my opinion, his numbers are really good, even more if you think he is a rookie, and I honestly think he can improve them. For example, I'm sure he is going to get fouled more (only 12 free-throws in 8 games is too few).
I am impatient for the first game of the 2007-08 season this Wednesday, Oct. 31against San Antonio. I can't wait. I want to see what he can do in the regular season.
