<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello sounded prophetic before the night began. Afterwards, his starting point guard appeared as though he'd spent a copious amount of time pondering the team's problems. In the end, Fratello couldn't have been more right. Damon Stoudamire undoubtedly wished he was wrong about perhaps the most disconcerting element of the Grizzlies' 94-79 loss Wednesday night to the Los Angeles Lakers. Sitting in his FedExForum locker following the Grizzlies' third straight defeat -- their longest skid of the season -- Stoudamire floated an indictment concerning the team's psyche. "We put our heads down," Stoudamire said. "I'm not going to say that we quit. But it's almost like we did quit. We didn't really compete (in the third quarter). ... I would like to see this team keep its head up and keep playing." The Griz instead remained in an offensive funk and displayed porous interior defense. When the Lakers weren't scoring easy baskets, they demoralized the Griz with shots that beat the clock or run-extending 3-pointers. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers' assault with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Lamar Odom did damage, too, with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists. This wasn't the wobbly Laker squad that the Griz easily discarded Nov. 14. Instead, the Griz ran into a team that ended a six-game road trip with five wins, including one at Dallas. "We've had better execution," Bryant said. "Guys know how to play off each other. I can be a decoy and attack when I need to. I made a burst in the third quarter when we needed it." Bryant sank a 3-pointer that capped a 21-7 Lakers run in the period. The unraveling Grizzlies watched as a 5-point game turned into a rout. At one point, the Grizzlies' self-doubting body language became most apparent when Odom waltzed through the lane and threw down an uncontested dunk. "It was a very disappointing night," Fratello said. "I was disappointed in our performance." And with good reason. The Griz lacked energy and execution for a team that conducted practice the past two days and began a five-game home stand. Asked before the game about what he expected from the Griz over the next two weeks, Fratello cautioned that familiar surroundings wouldn't guarantee anything. "When you have a stretch of homes games you still have to look at who you're playing against," Fratello said. "It's not like just because you're home, you're supposed to win." Health isn't even a given these days. The Griz knew they would play without Bobby Jackson (hamstring) but Shane Battier (sprained right index finger) was an unexpected scratch from the lineup. The Griz knew they would play without Bobby Jackson (hamstring) but Shane Battier (sprained right index finger) was an unexpected scratch from the lineup. Mike Miller started for Battier and scored 21 points. But the Griz missed Battier's defensive presence on Bryant and Odom, whose length and athleticism created mismatches the Griz never solved. Fratello even started rookie Hakim Warrick in the third to try and slow Odom. "Normally, I'd use Shane in that spot," Fratello said. "We thought we had too many layups in the first half with the other matchup." </div> Source
what has happened to the grizz lately...i projected them the mavs and the spurs all to be bunched up, but the grizz have hit a slump. they were playing so good there for a bit, offensively and defensively. memphis is not local to me, so i only see them when they play dallas, but some of you locals that follow them...what has been the difference lately with the loosing?
they're not moving the ball like they used to so they don't get the easy shots they had before, plus they're not getting Pau involved so he has to create his own buckets with double teams on him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">but the grizz have hit a slump.</div> That's all there is to it. They are just in a slump and those teams that the Grizz are trailing will eventually have one too which will enable the Grizz to make a comeback in those standings.
Theyre just not THAT talented of a team. Certainly success isnt ALL about talent...but its imperative. The Grizz started off the season overachieving and now theyre hitting a slump. Memphis is a solid team, just not a great team like they made everyone believe.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GiantMidget:</div><div class="quote_post">Theyre just not THAT talented of a team. Certainly success isnt ALL about talent...but its imperative. The Grizz started off the season overachieving and now theyre hitting a slump. Memphis is a solid team, just not a great team like they made everyone believe.</div> I disagree...the Grizzlies are the equissential team, and they have loads of talent...Gasol and Bobby Jackson are two stars who can carry teams in crunch time...then you have a plethora of capable role players- Eddie Jones, Damon Stoudamire, Lorenzen Wright, Shane Battier...they just might be the best well-rounded, balanced team in the NBA...
I don't know, I never expected Memphis to be a big contender this year, I expected them to get 6th place in the West at best. I they've had a great record, but I don't think their schedule wasn't a very tough one, unlike Houston's. Besides, Gasol is still averaging points per game similar to all the other years, he hasn't seemed to improve since his rookie year...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting houston_owns_u:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't know, I never expected Memphis to be a big contender this year, I expected them to get 6th place in the West at best. I they've had a great record, but I don't think their schedule wasn't a very tough one, unlike Houston's. Besides, Gasol is still averaging points per game similar to all the other years, he hasn't seemed to improve since his rookie year...</div> His numbers have stayed the same because of the system that the Grizzlies run, but don't be fooled by numbers. He's arguably one of the top 10-15 players in the NBA talent wise. As for the Grizzlies, I expect them to break this "slump" for good tonight. Technically they're on a one game losing streak, but their last game played was a double overtime game against the league's #1 team, the Detroit Pistons. I don't want to blame the reffs for the loss, but there were some shaky calls towards the end of the game going against Memphis. The bottom line is that it showed that the Grizzlies can compete with the elite teams in the league. I don't really think the schedule was the reason they got off to such a hot start. In fact, they probably played one of the tougher schedules in the NBA to start the season, playing teams like Dallas (twice), Phoenix (twice), Cleveland, and Miami (with Shaq). The real reason for the hot start was defense and unselfishness. They're a very comparable basketball team to Detroit, and even San Antonio to an extent. I guess we'll see if they're out of their slump tonight against Portland.
they played well against detroit. i wish they would have gotten detroit. i think they deserved the win there.
Every team has slumps, even San Antonio. Thankfully we're slowly coming out of the funk with 4 straight wins despite the adversity of losing our PG and other injuries.
