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Memphis Grizzlies’ Chandler Parsons Renews Friendship with Controversial Player

By Christian Dudley

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 6: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 6, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 6: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 6, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 6: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 6, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 6: Chandler Parsons #25 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 6, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /

In the age of social media, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Chandler Parsons recently mended a broken friendship with a former NBA player.

Dating back to the summer of 2017, it was a a tough time for the Memphis Grizzlies fan base. In the midst of NBA Free Agency, the Front Office had made up their minds. They were not going to renew the contracts of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen.

Both guys were franchise legends, but were aging. The Grizzlies’ Front Office had to be the bad guy(s) and do what was best for the team — invest in the young guys. It was a major change for Grizz fans, some of which only knowing the “Grit-‘N’-Grind” era. The “Core Four” was no longer. The key pieces that remained were Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and a guy by the name of Chandler Parsons that appeared in just 34 of 82 regular season games.

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Grizz Nation definitely had the right to be upset. A couple of fan favorites were heading out the door and there was nothing to do to stop it. The Front Office was hard-pressed to step into a new era of Memphis Grizzlies basketball. Talk about frustration if your favorite player was “Z-Bo” or “The Grindfather.”

Things became worse on the Grizzlies’ front. Times were getting tough just 1.5 months into the 2017-18 season. Memphis began to string together consecutive losses. It was getting out of hand. The Front Office decided to pull the curtains on Head Coach David Fizdale, who was a young, likable figure. This upset the basketball world even more.

The fan base was not the only bunch that showed signs of infuriation. Players did, too. Former players. Specifically, Stephen Jackson, also known as “Stack Jack,” who publicly shared his thoughts on the Memphis Grizzlies immediately following their firing of Fizdale. Stephen Jackson is most famous for his role in escalating the “Malice at the Palace” in 2004.

Surprisingly, Jackson did not target Marc Gasol, who was the key player mentioned in having an ongoing feud with David Fizdale. Stephen Jackson actually threw shade at the often-injured Chandler Parsons.

On social media, everybody follows everybody. This was not just a sneak diss by Jackson. He probably knew Parsons would come across it on his own Instagram feed. The exchange soon became very involved between Jackson and Parsons. It was not just friendly trash-talking. This was a heartfelt diss via Stack Jack. It was made personal.

https://instagram.com/p/BcBX9T9DHhu/

How are guys like Chandler Parsons and Stephen Jackson different? Stack Jack described it perfectly at the end of this episode of social media beef in late-2017. Essentially, Parsons is more “Hollywood” where as Jackson is your gritty, off-the-street type of player. Stack Jack was formed the same mold as Randolph and Allen. He clearly did not think the same of Parsons.

This became much of a sore subject to a Grizzlies season that was spiraling out of control. The franchise was entering tank-mode, and like Stephen Jackson referenced, the team was throwing away dollars in the process.

Nearly eight months later, things are much different between Stephen Jackson and Chandler Parsons. This is past week, it appears as if all is well. While it is unclear what all transpired when these two NBA guys met in person, it is good to see the friendship has been restored. Just as Chandler Parsons stated in his Instagram comment, “the NBA is a brotherhood.” It is good for the game that these two individuals put away their differences to see eye to eye.

Maybe this is the prelude to Chandler Parsons living up to his $94 million maximum contract. The Memphis Grizzlies could have pulled the trigger on a deal to rid themselves of Parsons’ contract last month. Regardless, they decided to hang tight. The franchise looks to be banking on him achieving a bill of good health in 2018-19. If he finally breaks out for the Grizzlies, another postseason appearance is almost a given.

The upcoming season will officially be the make-or-break moment for Parsons. If he demonstrates more of the same, his expiring contract will likely be seen in more trade discussions. On the opposite hand, if he performs well, the Grizzlies fan base will be looking like Stephen Jackson in 2018 — in good spirits with Chandler Parsons.

Go Grizz! 

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