Reggie Miller thinks TNT's batch of ex-jocks could beat Memphis

That Reggie Miller, he sure is a cad.

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The TNT color analyst has a rather, um, polarizing reputation amongst those that watch him call games for the network, as he’s carried over the outlandish verbal jabs that marked his playing career into the booth in his retirement years. TNT also boasts an impressive lineup of ex-players on its broadcast roster, and is rumored to be attempting (via, rumor has it, an animated pitch – literally) to woo the recently-retired Kobe Bryant to its set.

This is why Dan Patrick, on his daily radio show, asked Mr. Miller on Monday morning if the TNT and extended Turner crew could take a playoff game:

No. No a lineup featuring Miller, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, Brent Barry and Dennis Scott (why did Reggie leave Steve Smith off?) could not beat the Memphis Grizzlies in a basketball game.

The Grizzlies are struggling, to be sure. As Miller pointed out the team is working without Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, having to start journeymen like Jordan Farmar, Chris Andersen, and Vince Carter (working on his fifth team in eight season, now 39 years of age) just to stay competitive. The current lineup is not a clear representation of who the Grizzlies truly are when healthy, and it’s frustrating to watch such a proud roster have to work with one arm behind its back against a longtime rival in the San Antonio Spurs. These games aren’t pretty.

With that in place, the Memphis Grizzlies put up 74 points on the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. This may seem like I’m poking fun, but 74 points against what was far and away the NBA’s best defense this season, with that roster, is no joke. That’s an accomplishment.

All due respect to the Turner crew’s playing careers – Reggie and Brent Barry probably could have played a year or two longer in the NBA than they actually did – but the only thing that team would rack up against the current iteration of the Memphis Grizzlies would be 12 different torn Achilles tendons.

Worse: Z-Bo is angry. Look:

Reggie Miller will be behind the microphone in San Antonio on Tuesday as the Grizzlies and Spurs line up for Game 2. Wouldn’t it be interesting if Zach Randolph, who missed ten of 13 shots in Game 1, used this bit of silliness as motivation to turn the series on its ear?

Or if he merely just grabbed Reggie Miller by his ears?

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Kelly Dwyer

is an editor for Ball Don't Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at KDonhoops@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @KDonhoops