Close Only Counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades- Recap: Grizzlies at Heat + Preview: Grizzlies vs Wizards
Final score- Memphis- 97, Miami- 100
Last night your Memphis Grizzlies took their talents to South Beach, only to fall in a rather disheartening fashion to the Miami Heat. Or more accurately, *some* of the Grizzlies took their talents to South Beach, a few must’ve forgotten theirs at baggage claim.
Sounds highly implausible I know, but so is any other explanation I’ve managed to come up with for what’s become of the leadership and offensive firepower in the starting lineup that have been missing from this Grizzlies team for most of this first stretch of the season.
I am not talking about Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, although both are now suspiciously absent from the aforementioned starting lineup. Whatever flaws ZBo and TA may have, they aren’t enough to send this team into the downward spiral we have all been trying to pretend we aren’t seeing.
While I’m on the subject, it’s not Grizz Nation’s favorite perpetual scapegoat Jeff Green either. Who, I might add, had a game high 26 points last night. (Although why he also took a game high 20 shot attempts is anyone’s best guess, because I’ve got nothing there. Seriously, if you know the answer please tell me.)
We’ve been hearing a lot of commentary lately about the abilities and age of certain members of this team, and while some of that criticism might not be unfounded, I can’t help but notice a glaring omission. With all the talk about two particular members of the Grizzlies core four (Randolph and Allen), I have yet to hear much in the way of a critical assessment of the respective performances of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Never has it been more apparent that the troubles plaguing this team can only be overcome with the complete cooperation of Big Spain and Captain Clutch. As Conley and Gasol go, so to an extent, will the rest of the team.
At the very least, any valid critical analysis of this Grizzlies team and their season to date has absolutely got to include mention of the performances of Gasol and Conley in addition to the usual suspects. I might not agree with the consensus this is the end of the line for the team as it’s constructed, but it’d be silly not to acknowledge it’s an ugly situation on the cusp of getting much, much worse. There is no one player that can make or break this team, but without cohesion among the core, any hope of keeping this team’s window as a contender open is all but lost.
Moving along…
Once again I’ve managed to be painfully behind in finishing this and putting it up, and the Grizzlies will be tipping off at home against the Wizards in less than half an hour.
This game may well be the last we see with Dave Joerger in the head coach position, or at least that’s what people whose opinion holds more sway than mine have decreed. As I am not inclined to speculate here on personnel matters, we’ll all have to wait and see together.
Washington has given this Memphis team the business the last couple of times they have played each other, and with that in mind, I hope we aren’t about to be in for a bloodbath. Considering the way things have been going, I fear that is exactly what is about to happen.
Doesn't bluff, stays grinding.
Bluff City Born and Memphis Made
- Memphis Grizzlies Assistant Coach Niele Ivey Named New Head Coach for Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Team - April 22, 2020
- Notes From Grizzlies Media Day 2019 - October 2, 2019
- Memphis Grizzlies 2019 Training Camp Roster - September 30, 2019
