What They Said!! Grizzlies at Bulls 12-16-15

 

David Joerger — Grizzlies’ Head Coach

On their poor 3rd quarter:

“We had only three turnovers at half. Tonight we had the lead and then started playing with the dribble with the ball. That’s when we turned it over. Fourteen turnovers in the second half is just too much. Our offense lead to an easy offensive play for them. We just had too many straight line drives that left Rose and the Bulls get out. McDermott was also big for them tonight. He is a good shooter and gave them a lot of options tonight. The real story was our 17 turnovers and then missing 12 free throws.”

 

On Gasol and Conley’s struggle:

“Tonight was a tough night for them. Tried to get them going, but didn’t have any success. They are both very pure headed and will not just keep shooting but make the right play. We just couldn’t get them going tonight. Zach was solid for us.”

 

Marc Gasol

On tonight’s game:

“A lot of turnovers, carelessness, bad timing, no screening, not cutting to the ball … You name it, we did it all wrong.”

 

Is it hard for you and Conley to find good rhythm?

“No. Just a matter of how we are going to play and our decisions offensively. We need to make decisions on what we are going to do offensively, how we are going to play, and if the ball is going to go through other people’s hands then they need to be play makers as well. We just need to go game by game. It all depends on what the other team gives you and depending on what they give you people are going to have other responsibilities so everyone needs to be accountable.”

 

How do you like playing against your brother?

“It is always cool. We just have so much respect for each other and the game. We both expect our team to win, and when we don’t accomplish that it’s obviously a little more frustrating to not only lose, but to lose to your brother.”

 

Do you guys (Gasol brothers) have any bragging rights after the game against each other?

“No. We are too old and too good for that.”

 

Fred Hoiberg — Bulls’ Head coach:

On Derrick Rose getting going:

“You could see it on that first possession.  He really went hard to the basket.  I loved his energy.  He showed it at the shootaround today and I sent him a message about it and he sent a message back ‘I am going to have a great game tonight’.  He set the tone right from the start.”

 

What was the catalyst in the turnaround in the defense in the third quarter?

“I think the big difference in the third quarter was our hands.  We were getting turnovers and there was a huge difference between our turnovers in the first half and the second half.  That was a huge key to the game.  I thought Jimmy and Derrick played off each other very well.”

 

Is it something conscious with Derrick pushing the pace?

“I think the pace came from the whole team.  We were running better, we were just better at the start.  We scored 30 points in the 1st quarter and that was just pushing the ball.  I do think Derrick made a conscious effort to get to the basket.  He has been finishing better.  If Derrick gets into the paint, good things are going to happen.”

 

Is it a matter of Derrick getting his confidence back?

“I think the thing is with Derrick that his teammates have great confidence in him and his coaches have confidence in him.  It was fun to see Derrick taking over a game using his speed to dominate.”

 

Derrick Rose:

On the team:

“We have a long way to go.  We won some games and we’re happy we won the games, but we still have a long way to go.”

 

On his game:

“My game is mid-range.  I shoot a lot of floaters.  I’m a pretty good mid-range jump shot shooter.  Tonight they didn’t fall but I’m happy I got the attempts up.  I’m going to play my game.  My game is whatever they give me.”

 

On Doug McDermott:

“Doug is being Doug.  He’s extremely aggressive.  We want him to be aggressive.  Every open shot he takes we think is going down.  With a shooter like that, it makes the floor bigger because they are so hugged up on him, not allowing him to even see the rim.  Whenever he’s out there, I know I’m driving on his side because his man is not going to help.”