Historically, when an NBA club has played at FedExForum in Memphis, they knew they were in for a fierce battle. That’s no longer the case. Last season, the Grizzlies dominated on the home floor, this season they have struggled mightily.
The squad dropped to 3-13 at home after a fourth quarter rally fell short against the Toronto Raptors, 116-111. Memphis just can’t seem to put together a complete game for 48 minutes.
The second quarter is the biggest culprit. According to NBA.com, Memphis ranks dead last (30th) in the league in scoring during the second period, with 24.7 points, while shooting 41.3 percent from the field.
Something has to change with the rotations in the second period if Memphis wants to start winning consistently after falling to 11-23 on the season.
After the game, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins took responsibility for the loss. “I’ve got to get this team better prepared,” Jenkins acknowledged. “We were flat tonight — that’s on me.”
Did that really come out of his mouth about getting the team better prepared after a whopping 34 games. In the words of WWE legend Booker T, “Tell me, he didn’t just say that!”
Former Grizzlies assistant and first-year head coach of the Raptors, Darko Rajakovic, certainly had his team prepared to take down his former team.
That’s an indictment of Jenkins’ coaching, if he doesn’t have the team better prepared after nearly half of the season is gone. There have been key injuries, and a 25-game suspension, but that’s the card that has been dealt. Some of the losses have been on Jenkins, even though his players wholeheartedly disagree with that sentiment.
“At the end of the day, he’s not the one out there playing — it’s us,” said Ziaire Williams. We should already be self-motivated, he shouldn’t have to yell at us or scream at us when we’re down by 15 or 10, or playing lazy and lackadaisical on the defensive end, not sharing the ball. That should already be a given.”
He concluded, “We got to find ways to do that for 48 minutes straight. That was cool for coach taking the blame, but, it’s not much he could do about that. It’s on us to come out and do what we need to do. Be professionals, do what we are paid to do.”
Williams had a great game off the bench, with 18 points, putting up 12 in the final period by converting on 5-of-8 from the field.
Desmond Bane who finished with 22 points, eight assists, and four rebounds put the onus on the players to take responsibility and accountability. He said, “As a coach you can only do so much. You don’t put a jersey on, you don’t run up and down the court. It has nothing to do with him honestly. We are all grown men. It’s on us, we have to be better.”
Ja Morant led the team with a near triple double with 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Morant on the team coming out flat: “I don’t want to make excuses. You just got to be better, come out with more energy to be able to get a win on a home floor.”
Jaren Jackson, Jr. had a slow start but ended with 13 of his 24 points in the final period. Jackson Jr. also grabbed four rebounds and blocked four shots.
With the loss, Memphis is now 7-1 when Bane, Jackson Jr., and Morant all score 20 plus points.
Where does Memphis go from here
The blame lies with the players, the coach’s decision-making, and the front office for the roster construction at this point in the season.
The time for excuses is over. There has to be energy and effort from the players in all facets of the game. Jenkins has to make better coaching decisions, and the front office needs to make moves at the deadline in order to right the ship.
Things don’t get easier. The Grizzlies head to California to start a three-game game road trip beginning Friday, January 5, against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena at 9 p.m. CT.
