Beale Street Bears
Fansided

Memphis Grizzlies: 4 Theories Behind Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Privately Meeting with Owner

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 16: Marc Gasol #33 and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Sacramento Kings on November 16, 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 - NOVEMBER 16: Marc Gasol #33 and Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on against the Sacramento Kings on November 16, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies Mike Conley and J.B. Bickerstaff (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

A Coaching Change?

As the Memphis Grizzlies seemingly fell overnight from the top spot in the Western Conference to 14th position, the fan base began to call for a change at the helm of the ship.

Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff is in his first full-time season with this title and he has endured a roller coaster ride of results through the first half of the 2018-19 season. Still, some things that he has struggled with almost seem intentional at times.

Bickerstaff has pieced together some kooky lineups this season, and it has been very noticeable. He has favored a strong veteran presence within the top spots of his rotations while slighting deserving youngsters, namely rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jevon Carter.

Related Story. Predicting the Franchise's Tolerance for J.B. Bickerstaff. light

Jackson Jr. has been having issues of foul trouble, as do a lot of first-year big men in the NBA. It is part of the learning process, after all. J.B. Bickerstaff has not been fond of the learning idea, and has been reluctant to throw Jaren into the final minutes of close games.

This is frustrating when Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jevon Carter consistently provide positive sparks to the Memphis Grizzlies’ game flow. It is typical to see Memphis take a total nose-dive in games once the rookies check out.

This first-year tandem has supplied many runs of excellent defensive plays leading to buckets on the offensive end, only to have Bickerstaff pull them and not re-insert them into the lineup. Talk about a momentum killer for the young guys as well as the team as a whole. Plus, how will they learn and therefore properly develop?

If a head coaching change were to happen this season, it should have already happened. Surely Marc Gasol and Mike Conley would have stepped forward prior to Friday’s news if they wanted to jointly request the removal of Bickerstaff. Still, this is one aspect to watch closely if the losses continue to tack onto the Grizzlies’ record.

Home/Grizzlies News