Is the Memphis crowd really the X-Factor for most of the Grizzlies' games? The Grizzlies are the streakiest team in the league. Seven of their twenty-one losses came on an eleven game losing streak, eight of their wins have come off of a big winning streak. Recently they're on a three game losing skid, but they've played some of the easiest teams to play at home. There is one thing I noticed about the Jazz and Trail Blazer games though; the crowd wasn't into the game. Sometimes it just takes a fast break, a big dunk, a technical foul, or a big run to get the crowd back into a game. However, in the Utah and Portland games the crowd just wasn't in it. The Grizzlies were low on confidence and thus lost the game. The Grizzlies don't rebound well from loss of confidence. It usually takes one big emotional game where the crowd is into it to get the Grizzlies back to their winning form. Do you agree with me? Could the crowd really be that important?
The crowd is vital IMO. I have never experienced it myself so I'm probably not in a position to comment accurately, but having a big crowd behind you i would image would work in your favour, and give tired players an energy boost. As for the crowd, those sorts of energy plays really get them into the game, especially the knowlegable fans, so often good work on the court reciproactes to the crowd, which gets behind the players. Where I live our local team has the biggest attendances in the entire NBL, and it is obvious how the support and noise they make spurs on the players, especially in a tight contest.
Crowd's are always a big factor. They show who the big boys are, especially if you're away. They can really mess up confidence and morale. Great topic as always Wave. I think they do play a big part, as they're like the bench players who don't get to play. They're solely there to support you. Very important key to the game.
If the crowd isn't in the game, there's really not that much motivation to win. The crowd needs to motivate the team and make them want to win for the crowd. I agree with everything Sir Dez and Magic Johnson said.
This is a young team. Which means that they're going to come out lazy sometimes, but it also means that they'll play with energy and run the floor, when they're into it. The crowd is a huge factor when it comes to getting them going.
