Lakers at Grizzlies: A Farewell to Kobe Bryant
It’s Kobe Bryant’s last night in Memphis. It is the end of an era. An era of purple and gold jerseys peppering the audience, almost drowning out the Beale Street Blue. An era of one of the basketball greats playing on the court in FedEx Forum, causing eruptions of cheers at every made basket. An era of a perennial All-Star that gets voted in even when he’s had a season-ending injury. Tonight though, he will play. Kobe Bryant will suit up in Memphis for the final time. This game is truly bittersweet when you couple Bryant’s last game in Memphis with the official news from the Grizzlies on Marc Gasol.
Yesterday the Grizzlies announced that Gasol underwent successful foot surgery and that he will not return to the court this season. While this confirmed what had been speculated it was still a blow to the Grizzlies fan base. Tonight we head into the fourth game since Gasol’s injury against Portland. It is also the third game without Courtney Lee and Jeff Green. What has already been a rocky season has just gotten rockier.
This game against the Lakers is going to be a must-win. It’s a game against a sub-.500 team. Not just any sub-.500 team but the team that is 15th in the West. With just 5 games separating the Grizzlies from the 9th seed, Memphis is going to need to gather as many “Ws” as they possibly can against opponents they can easily get them from. I am interested to see how the Grizzlies adapt to their new line-up. Against Toronto fans were treated to some pretty good defense. Toronto’s coach Dwayne Casey even said that the Grizzlies “are a grind out team, old school” and if the opposition doesn’t play physically then they are “going to get punched in the mouth.” That defense is going to be our saving grace until Memphis finds some scoring.
No matter the outcome of tonight this game can be a momentum swing. It is going to be an emotional night, whether it’s because it is Bryant’s last night in Memphis or it’s the first game after we definitively know how bad Gasol’s foot injury is. This game can set the tone of how this team is going to bounce back. Will the line-up changes and loss of Gasol deflate them? Or will Grizzlies fans see the return of Grit and Grind?
Quick Thoughts on Tonight’s Game:
– In home games this season the Grizzlies are averaging 100.5 points per game. They are 20-9 at home. So to win, we’re going to have to score. It can’t just be about defense. There is not going to be a lot of room for error. The Grizzlies must make the absolute most of every opportunity they have to score. Until this new line-up finds it’s grind we are going to have to find scoring anywhere we can. I hope this team goes out there tonight and plays this game for their injured Center! What better way to send Kobe Bryant out of Memphis than on a loss to the grittiest team in the league.
– I’m still looking at you Mike Conley. The most underrated point guard in the league has been nothing short of inconsistent this year. Against the Timberwolves he scored 25 points on 52.6% shooting. Against Toronto he scored 8 points on 16.6% shooting. 16.6%. That is just not going to cut it in an offense that is in desperate need of a new go-to scorer. Conley was the leading scorer in the last match-up against the Lakers and needs to put himself into that position again tonight. So Mike Conley, I repeat, I’m looking at you tonight.
– Do not fall in love with the 3-ball. Newsflash: the Grizzlies do not shoot the three well. I know; total shocker right? Really though. We cannot shoot 20 plus threes and expect to connect them at a high enough percentage that it doesn’t hurt us. Our offensive possessions need to count. This means NOT running down and jacking up a 3.
– In the last meeting the Grizzlies solidly beat the Lakers 112 – 96. Bryant led his team with 19 points. In that game the Grizzlies outscored the Lakers 44 to 28 in the paint. They also scored a nice 21 points off of the 15 turnovers the Lakers committed.
The game tips at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcasted on Fox Sport Southeast. Tune in and cheer on your Memphis Grizzlies! If you don’t already have tickets, go grab some! We will need as much Beale Street Blue in that audience as possible tonight!
This one’s for you Marc Gasol! You’ve played for Memphis, now we believe for you!
20140116232530.jpg)
- Grizzlies Out Hustle Rockets and Head to Dallas - October 24, 2017
- The Grizzlies are Backed Into A Corner: Spurs Win Game 5 - April 26, 2017
- Memphis at San Antonio: Grizzlies Did Not Layeth the Smacketh Down - March 25, 2017
