Memphis Grizzlies: Chandler Parsons Vows to Salvage Next Two Seasons

Monday morning a very humble Chandler Parsons took his seat in front of the Memphis Grizzlies media and was completely honest about everything.

Monday morning Chandler Parsons, a guy that so many hate, took the fans side, something that shows growth, and while many are still stuck on his contract, Parsons takes being a Grizzly with pride, and that is something the fans should uphold.

Parsons took some very blunt questions, and fired back with honesty Monday morning, and it almost seemed uncomfortable to him, but it needed to happen. Humble is a word I would use for Parsons responses to every question on Monday, and there was no more fake narrative, Chandler knows the situation he is in, and isn’t guaranteeing anything for 2018-19, but he made one thing clear – he is going to be himself.

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Being himself is the first step, (in my opinion) to seeing a very healthy and happy Chandler Parsons. Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley was asked about Parsons, and who he was behind close doors. Mike took one big smile, and just said “you’d love him.” “He cares so much about himself, and holds himself to such a certain standard, you’d love him,” Conley continued.

Even Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol took time to talk about Parsons, and what he means to this team. “He puts in the time, and we need Chandler. We need the best Chandler possible.” Gasol and Conley were just a few big names that talked about Parsons the man.

Parsons even talked about the numerous workouts he has been doing, including his five on fives for the last few months that do not get recorded, and the time he has been putting in, which lead to these discussions.

Parsons talked with everyone about salvaging the next two seasons with this team and his teammates, which led me to this question. “Chandler, you talked about salvaging this season with your teammates, but would you say it is bigger than basketball?” I asked.. “Like seeing who you truly are?”

“Absolutely, it’s huge. It’s one of the main reasons I came here.. It was so tough to play here as an opponent, the whole Grit N’ Grind culture, the fans were crazy.. I wanted to be apart of it,” Parsons responded. “Things went sideways the last two years, and there is still time, we have two years left.. I’ve put in the time, and I belong here, and I think I can still be special here, so I am excited about that.”

To end the conversation Parsons was asked if he were a Memphis Grizzly season ticket holder, if he’d boo himself, and his response was “yes.” He talked about growing up a Grant Hill fan, and seeing him do things like go to the movies, being injured and seeing Hill doing anything outside of basketball made him not like Hill. He ended with, “so, ten years later, I understand the fans, and their situation, and I’m going to apologize to Hill the next time I see him because the irony is I’m in his situation.”

Chandler’s time with the Memphis Grizzlies to this point has not been pretty, but both sides wanted more and are understandably upset, but Chandler took a step today in the right direction. Next it is Grizzlies fans to stay behind him, just like his teammates, and remind him why he came to Memphis. He came to Memphis to be apart of something special on and off the court.

Like Parsons said, there is still time, he is looking forward to making the most of it, lets hope both sides can come together and make this ride fun.