Shy’s Perspective: Big Spain has big night in the Motor City

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Sharon Brown

Share the joy

After dropping three straight games, Big Spain and the Grizzlies answered the call of their coach who called them out for lack of leadership. The Grizzlies defeated the Detroit Pistons 98-86. They are now 8-0 this season on the second night of a back to back. Both teams were in dire straights for a win after dropping consecutive games.

The Grizzlies wanted this game more and Marc Gasol had made a statement with his performance. Coach Fizdale was proud of his effort:

“That’s his level. He’s a great player and I’m always going to continue to challenge him to be the best. He just really wanted this game tonight.”

Game Notes

1) Marc Gasol shot 82.4 percent (14-of-17) from the field while tying his career high of 38 points. Gasol also had five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

2) JaMychal Green was the only other Grizzlies’ player in double figures besides Marc Gasol. Green chipped in a near double double with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

3) Reggie Jackson scored 18 points with seven assists. Jon Leuer with 18 points and six rebounds as a reserve.

4) Andre Drummond recorded his 20th double-double of the season with 13 points and 19 rebounds.

5) Zach Randolph recorded his 17,000th career point – becoming the 90th player in NBA history to achieve this milestone. Zbo is now 1 of 13 players in NBA history with at least 17,000 career points and 3,000 career offensive rebounds. He finished the game with six points, four assists and four rebounds.

6) The Grizzlies scored 22 points off the Pistons turnovers. However, the Pistons only scored 10 points off of nine Grizzlies turnovers.

Stats of the Game

Field Goal Percentage: Grizzlies 42.7 percent (35/82), Pistons 36.1 percent (26/72)

Rebounds: Grizzlies 38 (7 OREB), Pistons 47 (12 OREB)

Bench Points: Grizzlies 33, Pistons 28

Points in the Paint: Grizzlies 24, Pistons 28

Three Point Field Goals: Grizzlies 40.0 percent (12/30), Pistons 26.1 percent (6/23)

Second Chance Points: Grizzlies 2, Pistons 14

Fastbreak Points: Grizzies 4, Pistons 6

Assists: Grizzlies 25, Pistons 17

Steals: Grizzlies 9, Pistons 2

Observations

When Marc Gasol figure out that he is the best player on the floor most nights, he will be NBA royalty. When he is aggressive, no one can stop him. It’s my belief that Big Spain can average at least 20-30 a night if he keeps being aggressive.

David Fizdale may be the coach to bring out the best in Marc Gasol. When Gasol taps into full potential of his inherent skill-set, the sky is the limit for the Grizzlies. He is that guy on this team and needs to carry himself as such. The team goes as he goes.

What They Said!!

Head Coach David Fizdale

On Mike Conley and Marc Gasol’s teamwork:

“Honestly, Mike (Conley) is starting to get his rhythm underneath him and he and Marc (Gasol) are getting connected but we were just much more connected as a group tonight. Our leadership was 100 times better. Our team, we don’t stay down for long anyway. We’re a tough team and we’re a tough minded team and our team means well. It’s my job to always try to bring them back.”

Grizzlies Center Marc Gasol

On him controlling the game:

“My teammates were finding me and we were patient. I thought we did a good job of executing and being patient with the offense. I thought we did a good job.”

On handling defenders and playing offense:

“It depends on what you’ve got going. When your jumper’s going it opens up many different options. Then they tried to put John on me a little bit and it worked in the first half, second quarter. I thought that worked for them because they double teamed right away with a pass and that took away from my rhythm. It’s different ways you can attack and obviously when you’re making shots everything looks a lot easier.”

Pistons Forward Marcus Morris

On Marc Gasol:

“That’s a bad boy right there, a bad boy. I told him when he started to add the three (point shot), he’s tough to guard. He was making some tough ones. He was pump faking, and jabbing from the three. He’s 7’0”- 7’1”, that’s tough to guard.