The Memphis Grizzlies are becoming all too familiar with allowing their opponents to get back into the game and stealing a win. When will a call for change be made?
It appeared as if the event staff at the FedEx Forum should be preparing the streamers to come down at the end of the fourth quarter because the Memphis Grizzlies were pummeling the Boston Celtics.
However, there were a major change in directions. It came as a result in the Grizzlies’ play, which came to a screeching halt after they took their foot off the Celtics’ necks.
In the game’s second half, Memphis had achieved a game-high 19-point lead on Boston which stemmed from a 64-47 halftime advantage. However, for the 10th time this season, the Grizzlies choked their double figure lead away — and lost.
How exactly does a team squander a 19-point lead twice during the span of a few games? This same occurrence happened on December 21st when the Memphis Grizzlies visited the Sacramento Kings. The Beale Street gang blew a 19-point lead only to lose by a final score of 102-99.
Though the Boston Celtics are a better team than Sacramento, it is much of the same story for the Grizzlies’ side of things. The collapses are unacceptable. This trend has happened versus poor teams as well as the best of teams — and from both of the NBA’s conferences. Enough is enough.
In sports, it is oftentimes the head coach that gets fingers pointed in their direction when things are not going as planned. They are held accountable more so than players. It is somewhat different in professional sports — such as the NBA — where individual players have more weight on their shoulders, especially the stars.
Even in the Memphis Grizzlies’ current situation, it is going to be their head coach — J.B. Bickerstaff — that gets the blame for their shortcomings. By now, after blowing so many large leads and being unable to salvage any of those contests, it is time to cut the excuses and hold Coach accountable.
This Grizz roster is as healthy as could possibly be — minus the Chandler Parsons drama — and adjustments have been made over the past week or so. Memphis typically goes how rookie standout Jaren Jackson Jr. goes. This definitely is not the only factor in the Grizzlies’ wins or losses, but it is an eye-catching trend to say the least. Beale Street Bears touched on it this past week.
Yes, the Memphis Grizzlies turned the ball over 10 times in the second half after showing just six turnovers in Saturday’s first two quarters. Still, they tallied one less turnover than Boston.
The majority of Marc Gasol‘s six turnovers (though 10 assists in the match) came during the second half. After a stellar display of basketball by him on both ends of the floor, his play was quickly deteriorating as was the Memphis Grizzlies’ lead. Still, this is not the full reason why Memphis lost in the end.
So what was the root cause? Well, you will see that it all points to coaching.
As the second half progressed, the Grizzlies’ offense became stagnant. Without the offensive push by Mike Conley, the game would not have remained back-and-forth for the majority of the fourth quarter. Still, the home crowd knew the nails were getting hammered into the coffin because this roster cannot get into the game of trading baskets as they struggle to score consistently.
It is easy to see how the turnovers were sustained when watching the offense against Boston. As players were showing less movement, the Celtics were able to use their length and athleticism to gather stops. It was inevitable that guys such as Kyrie Irving and Al Horford would eventually find their shooting touch, and they did by the end of the third quarter.
When looking back to see when the Memphis Grizzlies’ free fall took place in the third quarter, you will see that it happened as Jaren jackson Jr. picked up his fourth personal foul. As it has been the case all season long, J.B. Bickerstaff seldom looks at Jackson Jr. after he picks up his fourth, though NBA players receive a maximum of six fouls per game.
Jaren Jackson Jr checked out with 5:43 left in the 3rd quarter with the #Grizzlies up 14 points and checks back in with 4:43 in the FOURTH just up 2
— Fastbreak Breakfast (@fastbreakbreak) December 30, 2018
It is becoming tiring to continue to say that Jaren will learn and he can only learn by playing. It is as if J.B. Bickerstaff has some type of personal vendetta against the rookie. Great things almost always come from extending Jaren Jackson Jr.’s minutes, so it is not too shocking to see the Grizzlies blow another large lead.
Additionally, the fan base continues to ask where is Jevon Carter? Shelvin Mack has not been impactful (in a positive manner) for about a month’s worth of games now, yet Carter is not getting much of an opportunity to get a feel for the NBA game. He, too, has produced when his number is called, just like Jaren.
At this point, you have to wonder how much tolerance will be shown by the Front Office, and even the Grizzlies’ majority owner, Robert Pera. This team absolutely needs to win now since they have banked on the Gasol and Conley pairing. There is no looking back now. It is postseason or bust.
More from Beale Street Bears
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- Jaren Jackson Jr. puts ex-Grizzlies teammate on notice
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- Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. put on blast following FIBA elimination
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A change needs to be made, and a lot of these items has fingers being pointed at J.B. Bickerstaff, and rightfully so. He has control over the players’ minutes. He could have elected to play Jaren Jackson Jr. more minutes in the fourth quarter to secure a few more stops (and perhaps a little more offense). Plus, why not insert Jevon Carter into the lineup? In game flow versus Boston, Mack was a -10 and went 0-for-2 from the field.
Overall, with the stagnant offense that looked a polar opposite of Saturday’s first half performance, J.B. Bickerstaff failed to manage the game. He was out-coached by the Celtics’ Brad Stevens. Memphis had full control of the game and they blew a major opportunity once again in December.
As the weeks go by, this club will not be able to have the mindset of doing better next game because they will have fallen too far out of the playoff race. Right now is a critical standpoint in the Grizzlies’ schedule because they have just completed the hardest portion with a much easier stretch arriving soon in January.
Will they capitalize? It is hard to think “yes” given the fact that Bickerstaff’s group cannot successfully close games out — regardless of opponent quality. Hopefully the Front Office is mulling over their options heading into the New Year.