Jeff Green Continues to Haunt the Memphis Grizzlies in Multiple Ways

The Jeff Green project did not pan out during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies. In Saturday’s loss, his clutch shot sank Memphis, which comes with further implications.

Saturday evening’s matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards was not your typical battle of two subpar teams. As opponents are finding out, Memphis is trying to win as many games as possible. Meanwhile, Jeff Green and the Wizards — winners of two of their last three — are keeping things competitive, too, despite being the fifth-worst record in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.

As the Grizzlies are playing games with the goal to convey heavy on their minds regarding their 2019 first-round NBA Draft selection, their plan has been gaining traction since February’s NBA All-Star break. After spending much of 2019 in the bottom-six position, Memphis is close to making major moves.

Entering the meeting against the Wizards, the opportunity existed for the Grizzlies to tie records with Washington if a win was earned. Of course this adds motivation for both sides. To make matters more difficult for Memphis, this was a road game for the Grizz, who were 10-24 on the road compared to 18-17 at home.

The meeting remained close throughout with repetitive lead changes down to the wire. Back-and-forth it would go, even in the fourth quarter. In the final few minutes of the contest, the Washington Wizards pushed ahead with a six-point lead, but the Memphis Grizzlies continued to find answers to keep things interesting.

With the Grizzlies trailing 126-123 (with 1:10 remaining on the clock) following a pair of free-throws made by Mike Conley, the Wizards remained poised to not disappoint their home crowd. Bradley Beal directed the ensuing possession, dancing around with the ball before coughing it up in desperation.

Memphis’ Avery Bradley would then nearly collect a steal, but regardless, it was a deflection. Washington’s Thomas Bryant would help Washington retain possession, and at this point, nearly all of the focus from players on the floor was placed on the ball. However, there was one Wizards player that did not get distracted from his assignment.

Jeff Green — a former Memphis Grizzlies forward of two seasons — began the possession hovering over the three-point line on the right side. As the play became broken, Green did not flinch. He remained ready. Once Bryant gathered the rock, he found Jeff Green to his left peripheral vision.

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The ball made its way to Green’s hands. Catch. Shoot. Splash. The shot had left his fingertips by the time Memphis’ Justin Holiday ran out to defend to perimeter. The dagger. This game was over, and it was chalked up as a mark in the loss column for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Jeff Green is the unwanted gift that keeps on giving relative to the Grizzlies. He had a couple of shaky seasons in Memphis, which were disappointing for both parties. Upon his arrival in M-Town, Green was meant to be the piece to take them over the top and push them to true contender status rather than being the underdogs of the West.

His inconsistent shooting, especially come playoff time, led to him having an underwhelming tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies. Once he departed, it was truly a mutual sigh of relief. It was a win-win for both teams post-severance.

However, on the business side of things, the Memphis Grizzlies are still feeling the burn from pulling Jeff Green aboard in the 2014-15 NBA season. In order to land Jeff Green, Memphis’ Front Office supplied the Boston Celtics with a future first-round Draft pick along with other assets. This is the final piece to the deal that has not come to fruition.

When the Grizzlies dealt Jeff to the Los Angeles Clippers, it hurt. They had to undo a trade that did not pan out for them as they had originally expected. Now, Jeff Green splashed home a three in the clutch to knock Memphis down a notch in their quest to convey.

As Memphis’ top priority is to convey the pick this year, it will become increasingly difficult if losses are the result night-in and night-out. Approximately three weeks remain in the 2018-19 NBA season, so each game has significant meaning for the Grizzlies and their hopes and wishes.

Regardless of year or situation, Jeff Green continues to haunt the Grizzlies and their top goals. When will the madness end? Perhaps it will take conveyance to finally put an end to Jeff Green’s continued correlation to the Memphis Grizzlies organization.