Ex-Grizzlies forward sounds off on time with Memphis: 'That place sucks'
By Mark Nilon
Though the Memphis Grizzlies may have just endured one of their most underwhelming campaigns in recent memory, it seems that not even a 27-55 record could make one as miserable as Chandler Parsons was during his time out in Grind City.
At least, that's what the former forward seemed to suggest during a recent appearance on The Tosh Show when he talked about his tenure in the 38103, describing his personal experience in the area as being absolutely dreadful.
Ex-Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons slams Memphis
"That place sucks. It was the most money I ever made and it was the most miserable I ever was... The whole city smells like barbecue sauce. There's nothing to do at night."
- Chandler Parsons
Right before the days of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane leading the charge, the Grizzlies were looking to have one final all-in run with the O.G. core of Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen still intact.
As a way to try and add more offensive firepower and finesse to their grit and grind style of play, during the summer of 2016 the organization opted to sign Parsons, who had averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 47.7 percent shooting from the floor and 38.5 percent shooting from deep over the previous four seasons, to a four-year, $94 million contract.
Unfortunately, the potential of his addition to the rotation was never able to be experienced, as he was hobbled by knee injuries right from the jump (his previous campaign was cut short due to having surgery on his torn meniscus in his right leg) and, as seen throughout his tenure in Memphis and as noted during his interview with Daniel Tosh, he was never able to fully recover.
The experiment with Parsons manning the small forward position only lasted three injury-plagued seasons before he was ultimately traded to the Atlanta Hawks during the 2019 offseason.
During his time in navy, blue, and gold he averaged 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in just 95 total games played.
Now, five years removed from his final campaign with the Grizzlies, the franchise finds itself in a great position to contend for an NBA title once fully healthy while the franchise's faithful followers find themselves rarely thinking about the failed experience with Parsons in tow.
Sadly, it seems as though the now-retired forward still looks back on his time in Tennessee with quite a bit of disdain.