Memphis Grizzlies: Season’s First Half Proves Organization is Not on Same Page

Through the Memphis Grizzlies first 41 games of the 2018-19 season, it is clear that there is miscommunication across the board.

Believe it or not, half of the 2018-19 regular season has reached completion for the Memphis Grizzlies. There has been plenty of ups and downs thus far, and the second half of the schedule will likely emulate this roller coaster ride of a journey.

When you think about it, this season has been crazy — or rather, insane — for the Grizzlies. They started with a best-in-the-West record, but have plummeted since. There has been a trade following a no-trade. Yet, this is just scratching the surface of the hecticness.

When it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies, it is a given that injuries will loom regardless of the year or roster. Overcoming the injury plague is something that the Grizzlies franchise has been accustomed to overcoming in many of their seasons of existence.

While some of Memphis’ injuries in 2018-19 have been inevitable, one player in particular — Dillon Brooks —  has found an unlucky position after producing a stellar rookie season. This of course happens after the team freed a logjam at the two-guard spot.

Record-wise, “flat” does not fully summarize the Grizzlies over the past few weeks. It took them until their fifth game in 2019 to secure a victory within the New Year, when they finally snapped a six-game losing streak as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs at home.

Perhaps this is the start of next chapter for this Grizzly group. A winning streak built through the next week of games would be highly impressive as they are set to take on some of the NBA’s best teams in the coming days.

Then again, odds are against this team as they have fallen out of the playoff picture for the time being. They may not have another strong push in them because, after all, this is the almighty Western Conference standings that we are talking about.

As this roller coaster ride continues, Grizz Nation must acknowledge one major negative aspect that continues to follow this team. Not all franchises are perfect — in fact, nearly all of them are not. Yet, the miscommunication on all tiers of the Grizzlies organization is purely disgusting.

For General Manager Chris Wallace, how could December’s three-team trade attempt fail in the manner that it did? Even with the Washington Wizards being the focal point on that intended deal, how — in this day and age — does any of those teams not know exactly which players are involved?

MarShon Brooks or Dillon Brooks — the last name should not matter. Though all three teams are pointing fingers in every which direction while discussing who is to blame, all three clubs deserve the embarrassment. The other 27 NBA teams are rightfully laughing at the Grizzlies, Wizards, and Phoenix Suns, even a few weeks later. That was a failed trade that will forever be remembered. “Miscommunication” fits the bill perfectly for that scenario.

On the head coaching level, J.B. Bickerstaff went from entering the Coach of the Year award conversation to sitting in the hot seat with his job on the line. Even now, his title may not be safe if the Memphis Grizzlies fail to string some consecutive victories together.

The latest blunder by Bickerstaff happened in Wednesday’s Game No. 41. Just the other day, news leaked that J.B. had held private conversations with veteran Shelvin Mack and rookie Jevon Carter. All parties were on the same page at the time in making the swap at backup point guard. Carter was getting a well-deserved golden opportunity. The fan base was ecstatic.

That sentiment lasted a whole two games. Unexpectedly, J.B. Bickerstaff went with a lot of Shelvin Mack minutes while earning the victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Mack produced 10 points, seven assists, three rebounds, and a +12 rating on the evening in 16 minutes, so it makes J.B. look smart — for now.

It is a great move if this team continues to win. Alternatively, if the losing vibes return, the head coaching seat will become even hotter. Why stunt the growth of a rookie that is NBA-ready and has quickly proven himself in spot minutes versus NBA competition? It takes minutes in order to learn.

The worst aspect of this back-and-forth changing of the guards (pun intended) is that the decision to promote Jevon Carter was to be permanent. It could not even last one week. J.B. Bickerstaff did not stick to his word. How is the rook supposed to feel? Disrespected! Where is the trust? Gone! The fan base is taking notice. “Miscommunication” much?

Now to the players’ level of concern, why are players fighting each other in the locker room? How about exerting that amount of energy on the hardwood against the opponent? Releasing emotions is understandable, but come on. The Memphis Grizzlies do not receive much national recognition, but when they do, it is in a negative light.

Plus, there is something that was a looming question in the 2017-18 season that has carried over one year later. It is ongoing. This pertains to leadership.

When the going gets tough, who is going to step up? Marc Gasol has been rambling endlessly on how to continue to try and give best efforts to gain positive outcomes in games, but it has seldom worked over the past month’s slate of games.

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Mike Conley is carrying the bulk of the scoring load, especially in fourth quarters with the Memphis Grizzlies playing catch-up. Yet, what was done to stop the bleeding when the team’s third quarters continue to take their toll on the Grizzlies’ offensive flow? How does ball movement come to a screeching halt after blazing trails for buckets in the first half of games?

This all boils down to leadership. Vocal leadership. With Mike Conley absent for all but 12 games in 2017-18, it was a prime opportunity for Marc Gasol to band the Grizzlies’ young guys together and prepare them for a greater and healthier 2018-19 season. Now, it seems as if Marc takes two out of every three nights off and already has his bags packed for when he can opt-out of his current contract this upcoming summer.

Who will rally the Grizzly troops? It absolutely has to be Marc Gasol or Mike Conley, but that remains to be seen. One of the two should have already stepped up to the plate to take control when consecutive games were being dropped in early December. This falls on lack of communication from a vocal leadership standpoint.

There are many questions that will be answered over the course of the next 41 regular season games. There is definitely plenty to be excited about in Grizz Nation — such as the star potential of Jaren Jackson Jr. and all-around efficient play of Kyle Anderson — but there are an equal amount of concerns. “Miscommunication” sums it up all too well.

It begins at the top with the Front Office, then it trickles down to the coaching staff and the players. This organization has not been on the same page all season long and it shows. The record is very telling. The only good news is that there are another 41 games and approximately three months to turn Memphis’ ship in the right direction.