Since the Memphis Grizzlies romped on the Golden State Warriors early in the season, a lot has changed for both teams. What’s going on?
On October 21st, the Memphis Grizzlies whipped up on the defending champion Golden State Warriors in convincing fashion (score 111-101). The Grizzlies just looked like a team that belonged.
They sported the forever-dominant bench mob of Dillon Brooks, Mario Chalmers, Brandan Wright, Chandler Parsons and Tyreke Evans. That five-man unit torched the Warriors’ bench, outscoring them 41-18.
Marc Gasol put Klay Thompson in a spin cycle, and he also demolished the Warriors. He scored 34 points and hauled in 14 rebounds. The Grizzlies also had All-Star point guard Mike Conley in action. Even though he struggled, his presence was just enough (trust me, you’ve seen the past 15+ games without him).
More importantly, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Warriors at full strength with James Ennis, Jarell Martin and Andrew Harrison in the starting lineup. HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?
Oh, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry got ejected in the final minutes as the two-time MVP channeled his inner Jay Cutler (throwing his mouthpiece at the referee but missing).
All and all, it was a glorious night. Since then, everything has been a downward spiral. What happened?
What has changed?
Let’s start with the Warriors real quick.
After the first three games, they were a team getting off that “championship hangover.” After the Grizzlies whopping, they flipped the switch. Since then, they ripped off 12 games in the next 14 games and are currently riding on a nine-game winning streak. The most impressive part of this stretch is, them winning without Steph Curry. The two-time MVP has missed the last three games with ankle issues.
It hasn’t mattered for the Warriors as Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have continued their All-Star play. Over the course of their nine-game winning streak, Durant is averaging 29.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.3 blocks, asserting himself to lead the Warriors and join the MVP race. In the same stretch, Thompson is averaging 21.9 points on a sizzling 47.1 percent shooting from downtown.
The Grizzlies will have contain them to stay in this game.
Now, what has changed for the Memphis Grizzlies?
For starters, they have a new coach. After the loss to the Brooklyn Nets — in the infamous Bench-gate — they fired Dave Fizdale and promoted JB Bickerstaff to interim head coach.
They’ve been without Mike Conley for the past 17 games, going an abysmal 2-15 in that span.
Remember the dominant bench group? Yeah, it’s basically done. Chandler Parsons and Mario Chalmers are still coming off the bench. Dillon Brooks entered the starting lineup after Andrew Harrison wasn’t cutting it. When Bickerstaff took over, Tyreke Evans became the starting point guard, and Andrew Harrison re-entered the first unit.
Since the Warriors game, Parsons — who was on a 15-minute restriction that night — has received an uptick in minutes. In the past six games, he’s averaging 11.7 points and 24.2 minutes. Seeing an increase in minutes and production has been appreciated in this turmoil.
Mario Chalmers has become unbearable to watch. Tyreke Evans has been spectacular as a the starting point guard, averaging 20.1 points on 43.5 percent shooting from deep, 5.1 assists and 4.2 rebounds.
After receiving a defined role, Andrew Harrison has found confidence as he’s scoring 12 points a game and shooting 66.7 percent from deep in the past four outings.
Since the Warriors game, no one has experienced a life as difficult as Marc Gasol. As he’s battling the trade rumors and the “coach killer” label, his shooting percentage is a career-low 42.3. Life has been hard for him without Conley, and with the starting point guard out for at least another two weeks, it won’t get any easier.
The Grizzlies have gone from a potential top-four team in the West to a bottom-feeder. Over the course of this losing stretch, the “let’s tank” conversation has been a daily thing in Memphis as we’re entering a new era of Grizzlies basketball.
Next: 6 negatives so far this season
Game Info
WHO: Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors
WHEN: 9:30 PM – ct
WHERE: Oracle Arena – Oakland, CA
HOW TO WATCH: NBA TV or Fox Sports Southeast
HOW TO LISTEN: 92.9 ESPN – Memphis