Memphis Grizzlies: What Happened To Their “In The Mud” Mindset

Last night’s loss is nothing to be ashamed of as a Memphis Grizzlies fan. Despite Kyrie Irving finishing with 38 points, the Grizzlies were still able to compete.

The Starters Were Fueled by the Bench

Last night’s loss was nothing to worry about since the whole Memphis Grizzlies squad showed up to play. Justin Holiday and Garrett Temple were able to nail corner 3’s consistent, which helped keep Memphis in the game.

Though Marc Gasol did not have a great offensive night, he still recorded the franchises’ first nonscoring double-double with 12 boards and 11 assists. Mike Conley was able to execute accurate offensive plays, which helped keep this match up close.

In addition to those players, we saw another outstanding performance by both JaMychal Green and Omri Casspi. Stating all this, one may think there was nothing wrong with the way things were last night. This may be partially true but It was only after the bench kept Memphis in the game that these players really stepped up.

If one were to have watched last nights game and their matchup against Milwaukee, they would have heard Brevin Knight saying multiple times, “The bench has really pulled this team back into the game.” These words are so true.

New Rotation, Better Defense

The Grizzlies bench has played a crucial role in the teams’ recent games, despite their current losing streak. But after the game against the Bucks, is there a better second quarter rotation. When Memphis controls the game, they control the outcome.

When Memphis plays that old “In the Mud” defense, they are able to make smarter plays and do more on the court. The problem has come, as of late, that the Grizzlies feel the need to play on the level of the other team.

At number one in the West, the Grizzlies were the slowest team for a reason. Since the current rotation has abandoned this playstyle, there is a group that can play rough against top teams.

This rotation includes Casspi, Holiday, Jevon Carter, Ivan Rabb, and Yuta Watanabe. Playing this line up while rotating Rabb and Casspi with Green and Joakim Noah is the perfect defensive start-of-the-quarter rotation.

As stated in previous articles, this line up was able to cut into a 20 + point deficit against the Bucks. They took an embarrassing loss and pulled it within 10 points. During the short stretch, they all made a positive impact.

Watanabe had three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Carter had five assists, two blocks, two steals and a pair of triples as well. Rabb recorded four rebounds and four hard-fought points

Holiday made his first triple with Memphis, since the trade, four rebounds, one block, one assist, and four steals. Casspi also made a crucial triple as well as veteran leadership on the court

These players, that had never played all together on the court, at one time, were able to do more in six minutes, than the entire Grizzlies team the rest of the game.

With Green mixed in this equation, this rotation would have the defense and the “In the mud” mentality back on the court, against future opponents.