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Memphis Grizzlies: Media Day Behind the Scenes Includes Board Games

By Blake Monroe

MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day on September 24, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 24: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies poses for a portrait during Memphis Grizzlies Media Day on September 24, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Monday kicked off a new season in Grind City at the Memphis Grizzlies’ Media Day. But what was going on behind the scenes?

Most people that do not follow the Memphis Grizzlies on social media will not have witnessed what was going on during downtime at Monday’s Grizzlies Media Day at FedEx Forum.

When players were not on camera, they were participating in a different kind of game. This is one where there is no pressure and no points being placed on a scoreboard.

Following the Instagram Live videos, Grizz fans were able to see players such as Kyle Anderson, Chandler Parsons, and Jaren Jackson Jr. enjoying themselves while playing certain board games.

Uno, Operation, and Connect Four were in Media Day’s rotation of board games. You may be wondering, why is this worth writing about and how is it connected to Memphis Grizzlies basketball?

As Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said in Monday’s interview, “there is strength in versatility.” There are many players on this roster — if not all of them — that he feels are starting quality.

This is why this week — the opening of training camp — will be very important heading into this year’s NBA preseason schedule, as well as the first week of the regular season.

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Again, why are the board games important?

They are important because just as these players played the classic board games, this can be a direct correlation to what their mindset needs to be this week. These Grizzlies players need focus. They need to mentally know what their opponent’s next move is. Most importantly, they need to have fun.

Many franchises build a team with All-Stars to win a championship. In Memphis, it does not take All-Stars to produce postseason results. This can be seen in seven consecutive years of playoff appearances this decade.

The reason this team grows stronger is because the games they are worried about are not versus the big markets. It is not the politics of the league that they are worried about. It is knowing strategy and playing together as a team. That is Memphis Grizzlies basketball.

Next. Predicting Best & Worst Performers in Grizzlies Training Camp. dark

Board games may seem silly to most, but this coaching staff knows strategy. This team — in full — is getting stronger even before the 2018-19 season starts.

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