The most recent NBA awards news places a spotlight on the Memphis Grizzlies and a former locker room incident from early in the 2018-19 NBA season. Who was at fault?
On Monday, the NBA announced the dozen finalists for the annual Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award. The 12 names were unique in that three of them have a history with wearing a Memphis Grizzlies uniform.
Those three guys include franchise scoring leader Mike Conley along with his former teammates Garrett Temple and Rudy Gay. The others in the running are as follows:
The 12 nominees for the 2018-19 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.
— NBA (@NBA) April 1, 2019
The award recognizes the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, on- and off-court leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment and dedication to team. pic.twitter.com/56BEl0n3VH
Teammate of the Year is one of the lesser-known awards the NBA has been giving away, but that is understandable. After all, this award is entering its sixth season. The Memphis Grizzlies saw their very own Vince Carter win the award during his 2015-16 season.
The interesting portion of Monday’s news is not regarding Mike Conley making the list. That was a guarantee. The league now knows about “Captain Clutch,” his humbleness, and the new role of mentorship he is encompassing while he plays out the final games of his 12 NBA season.
The real surprise involves guard/forward Garrett Temple. In case you are unaware or have forgotten by now, Temple was traded from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Los Angeles Clippers after appearing in 49 games this season with the Grizz.
Considering this fact, one has to wonder how he was calculated into the equation to receive this honor. Has he made this big of an impact off the court and in the locker room as a member of the Clippers?! Or were these votes racked up while he was still with the Grizzlies?
Regardless, Garrett Temple’s veteran leadership is undeniable. This aspect was one big reason why the Memphis Grizzlies wanted him to be a part of their team to begin the 2018-19 NBA season. He has been a true professional. He is classy. Furthermore, he was selected to participate in a number of festivities hosted by the Grizzlies back in January to honor the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
The one major knock on Temple’s short time spent with the Grizzlies was a postgame locker room incident between him and Omri Casspi, who is no longer with Memphis following February’s chaotic NBA Trade Deadline.
When the initial details leaked to the public, it was really puzzling. Yes, this was in the midst of the Memphis Grizzlies’ downfall after a stellar start to the 2018-19 season schedule. But Garrett Temple? Involved in a physical altercation with a teammate?!
Additionally, Casspi was somewhat of a shock, too. He seemed to be more of a quite player. Plus, he was a role player. A non-starter. Oh, and a newcomer. Why was he getting bent out of shape?
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While we may never know the real specifics of this midseason physical altercation, Monday’s news of the Teammate of the Year award sheds some light on former incident, though it remains pure speculation.
These are the cold, hard facts. The Memphis Grizzlies parted ways with both Garrett Temple and Omri Casspi. Temple had an attractive expiring contract. So did Casspi, though his was a veteran’s minimum deal. In essence, Casspi was an easy cut in order to facilitate other trades.
The interesting part? Garrett Temple’s character continues to get praised. He is in the running for Teammate of the Year. This is after a physical altercation in the Grizzlies’ locker room. This is also after a midseason trade. It makes Omri Casspi look bad as this hints at Casspi being the true problem.
Still, as this was one of a few key components to the Memphis Grizzlies’ unfortunate demise this season, how could two teamates — role players, newcomers, and former teammates — come to blows in the locker room? If anything, this highlights the Grizzlies’ need for accountability and leadership.
Things have not been the same since the Core Four’s days in the “Grit-‘N’-Grind” era. One thing is for sure — this type of incident would not have happened in the Zach Randolph and Tony Allen days in Memphis.