Somewhere between those talent-laden Los Angeles Clippers teams of yesteryear and this year's talent-laden Portland Trail Blazers, you'll find the Memphis Grizzlies.

The answer starts to take shape Wednesday when the Grizzlies open the regular season against Detroit.

Memphis, with an average of 24 years, seven months old, is blessed with young talent. The challenge is to emulate the upward climb of these Trail Blazers rather than the downward spiral of those dysfunctional Clippers. But Memphis hasn't won more than 24 games in any of the last four seasons. And the projection for this year isn't much better, so you can figure out which way they're going.

"They pick us to be last in the league," Memphis forward Zach Randolph bristled. "It's motivation for us to work harder."

But the clock is ticking.

"The thing about our league is most of the young talent gets broken up," said Grizzlies assistant coach Damon Stoudamire.

The reason for that was evident in last week's pre-season game at Miami. The Grizzlies, playing without guard Allen Iverson and forward Darrell Arthur, led by 18 early, fell behind, and then pulled within 94-93 with 52.9 seconds left. They didn't score again as the veteran Heat made play after play down the stretch. Memphis lost, 99-93.

It was just pre-season, but it was typical of what happens to young teams. They can't make game-winning plays down the stretch.

"It gets frustrating at times," Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. "Right now…I think we are better (than last year) with the way we've played in spots in pre-season. We just have to be more consistent, and we have to extend that effort and good play throughout 48 minutes."

That won't be easy. The Grizzlies' veteran leaders are Iverson and Randolph, guys not known for being charitable with the ball and teaching young guys.

Then there's forward Rudy Gay, who might have the most promising future of any player on the roster. If he doesn't receive a contract extension by Saturday (Oct. 31) he'll become a restricted fee agent at season's end. It doesn't appear he'll get the extension. Gay insists he's not bitter, but we'll see.

After that you've got good young talent among guard O.J. Mayo, who can score on almost anyone in the league, center Marc Gasol, who is more than capable, the athletic Arthur on the wing, rookie center Hasheem Thabeet, the No. 2 pick of the draft, and developing guard Mike Conley. But they're not difference-makers down the stretch.

Iverson could be that difference-maker. However, that's a risky venture.

"I think it'll work because he's bringing something to the table these guys haven't done yet, and that's win," Stoudamire said.

Possibly. But if the Grizzlies are counting on Iverson, Randolph and a possibly disenchanted Gay to teach the young guys, they're closer to Clipperland than they think.

Please Stay Seated

One interesting thing to watch starting with tonight's opening games is enforcement of the bench rule. Players who constantly stand up, blocking the view of the high-dollar customers, are subject to fines.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant said it'll be tough to remember the rule.

"People behind us pay good money to see the game," he said. "But on our end it's exciting to see a teammate dunk or make a big shot. It's tough for us, especially for this team. Your reaction is to jump up and cheer them on…At the same time I understand where the fans are coming from, and I understand where the league is coming from."

Big Ticket Ready

Boston opens the season tonight at Cleveland, and you can expect Celtics forward Kevin Garnett to be active despite off-season knee surgery. He's already got the right mindset. He's not worried about his offense.

"As long as, defensively, I've got all my timing down and understand the schemes and stuff, that's my main concern," he said. "We're a defensive team first. The offense is repetition and you'll get it."

Smart Man

Chicago forward Luol Deng knows the Bulls have a lot of expectations. Some think they'll get the No. 4 playoff seed in the East. But rather than get swept up in all the excitement, Deng has wisely chosen to sit back a bit.

"I think it's going to be about a month or so before we can determine what the expectations for this team should be, and what kind of team we have," he said. "It always looks good and feels good right now."

Quick Hits

-- Bucks coach Scott Skiles likes what he's seen offensively from rookie guard Brandon Jennings, the No. 10 pick of the draft. But, such as all youngsters, "…He's got a ways to go on the other end of the floor," Skiles said. "He's not accustomed to being into every defensive possession like we would like to him to be. Having said that, he's not lazy. It's just a situation where to start a game, when we're trying to establish a defensive tone, we need to keep people from penetrating on us."

-- The "better defense" credo applies to Oklahoma City rookie guard James Harden, the third pick of the draft. "He's fitting in well," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. "But it's going to be a process for him just like any other young guy. He'll help us as a facilitator. He's very skilled offensively. But it will continually take time for him to learn and grow. We're pleased with where he is. But James understands he has a lot of work to do. He accepts that. He respects that."

-- One thing to remember amid all the high projections about Orlando (I have them finishing among the top three in the East) is losing forward Hedo Turkoglu means the Magic lost their leading fourth-quarter scorer and best late-game playmaker. If you'll recall, swingman Vince Carter isn't known for his late-game heroics. Keep an eye on that as the season progresses.

-- Washington coach Flip Saunders on Wizards third-year guard Nick Young: "To be effective in this league you've got to find other ways to be on the floor - not just making shots. So that's the next step in his maturing process."

-- San Antonio's Antonio McDyess is glad the regular referees are back. He recalls when the 1995 season tipped-off with replacement refs. "You don't appreciate what you've got until it's gone," he said. "I remember playing those games in 1995. We couldn't wait for the regular refs to get back."