Doomsday is here.

Marc Gasol Breaks Foot…It’s Officially Doomsday in Memphis

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After getting 2016 started the way that most Memphis Grizzlies fans wanted the 2015-16 season to start, February has not been kind to the Grizzlies.  They’ve seen two road victories, and two tough OT home losses.  Even with those home losses, the team (30-22) is still maintaining the fifth spot in the Western Conference (5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers and 2.5 games ahead of the Dallas Mavericks) and the seventh best record in the league.  They have one more game tonight before the All Star Break (in Brooklyn against the Nets).  Fans had every reason to believe the team was going to take the time to rest, rejuvenate, and heal in order to come out of the All Star Break strong and ready to win.  Then, the news dropped.  After leaving the game against the Portland Trailblazers limping, tests had been run and it was discovered that franchise leader, Marc Gasol, had broken his foot.  Let the doomsday Tweets and Facebook posts begin…

 

The Grizzlies’ chances of making it to the playoffs are gone.

Utah is currently in the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference.  They are 3.5 games behind the Grizzlies presently with a record of 25-25.  Is it possible to plummet that far down in the standings?  Yes.  Is it likely, in my opinion, given some of the games the team has ahead?  No.  Now, here’s the thing.  At this point, my opinion is no more valuable than yours.  Unless you’re on the roster, the coaching staff or the front office management team reading this blog, what we think has no effect on how this team will fare for the remaining 30 games.  We’re not playing the game.  We’re not making any decisions.  Without seeing how they play as a unit without Gasol in the next few games, I just can’t say all chances are gone given the schedule ahead of the team in the short term.  Short term this team has the ability to stack up some wins.  So, I’m going to pass by the “we ain’t making the playoffs” posts right now.

 

They need to just go ahead and tank.

TANK?!  TANK?!  As in quit?!  As in give up?!  As in lose on purpose?!  Where they do that at when you’re more than halfway through the season and have the 7th best record of 30 teams?!  It seems like it’s Memphis vs. ERRYBODY again…including Grizz Nation fans.  It ain’t tanking time either folks.  I’m not sure what we would benefit from tanking at this point, but I’m not willing to find out either.  Why do we even care about draft picks at this point?  The general consensus (and recent history) says that we’re not going to do anything with the players drafted anyway, so why are we all caught up in picks?  If we have a good pick, let the pundits tell it, we’re just going to either draft someone we didn’t need or give it away for someone we didn’t want.  So, yeah.  Let’s not forget there is talent on this roster.  Don’t hear what I’m not saying.  Losing Marc Gasol indefinitely is a definite game changer for this squad.  However, I don’t think it’s the beginning of the end.  So, I’m going to skip to my Lou on past these “it’s tank time” posts in the near and far term.

 

Trade everybody and fire Coach too.

The trade deadline is in 8 days.  It’s been rumored that Courtney Lee and Jeff Green had been shopped before Gasol broke his foot.  Since it’s a contract year for both, maybe you see who and/or what you can get for either one or both.  Then, you’ve got the fire Coach Joerger squad.  It’s Coach Joerger’s fault that the team hasn’t been as successful as it should be.  Coach Joerger won’t develop and play younger guys.  Coach Joerger runs players in the ground.  If Coach Joerger had rested Gasol on Monday, we wouldn’t even be worried about him having a broken foot.   I can see some validity in trading and some validity in issues with the coaching.  I’m not necessarily co-signing on these, but I’m not ignoring them either.

 

So, if the Grizzlies don’t tank, trade anyone, or fire the Coach, how do they still make the playoffs with Marc Gasol out indefinitely?

 

The remaining Core Four (Conley, Randolph, Allen) have to step up and lead.

The franchise is pushing Gasol and Conley as the future of this team.  This is Conley’s opportunity to shine, and Randolph and Allen’s opportunity to continue to support him and dominate at what they do best in these next 30 games.  This core has faced adversity together for years now and still managed to make the playoffs.  This isn’t their first injury rodeo together.  Now’s the time for these three of the four to stick together and prove that this core is why this team has had success.

 

When Brandan Wright is ready, he has to come in on fire. 

Wright was seen shooting around before Saturday night’s game; so, perhaps his return is imminent after the All Star Break as it has been speculated.  Wright showed promise for this team before he went out, so they’ll need him to be big in order to make a push to stay in the playoff running.  In the meantime, maybe offering the final roster spot to Ryan Hollins is inevitable at this point, which isn’t such a bad thing since he’s already got a grind mentality and is genuinely enamored with this franchise and this city.

 

The Bench has got to get consistent on the offensive and defensive end. 

For that matter, the WHOLE TEAM has to get consistent on the offensive and defensive end.  In 2016, the team is averaging just under 40% from the three point line.  If they can continue to do that, and commit to being a defensive force, the Grizzlies can make some noise in these last 30 games of the season.

 

The younger guys have to capitalize on the opportunity that this injury presents for them. 

They have the opportunity to not only shine, but to develop.  They’ve got to be ready when their number is called.  No nervousness.  No anxiety.  They have to study the plays and know their roles.  JaMychal Green and Jarell Martin…here’s looking at you, kid.

 

The MVPS of this franchise, the fans, have to show up and support this team. 

This isn’t the time to leave the Forum empty.  This isn’t the time to bash the home team.  Come out and support this team, rain or shine, win or lose.  It’s much easier for them to fight harder when they have the home crowd on their side.  This team has the 2nd longest playoff streak in the Western Conference.  Let’s show our support so they can keep it going!

 

get well marc

 

 

**photo courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies website**

Carmen Patton
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