Not so long ago, the Memphis Grizzlies were right on the Denver Nuggets’ heels.
They looked like a legit threat to overtake them in the race for the first seed in the Western Conference, and a team that could make some noise in the playoffs.
Then, Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks started talking, and rival teams started keeping their receipts.
All their rivals took their words personally and took it upon themselves to make a statement every single time they faced the Grizzlies.
They went through a rough patch but were still locked in as the second-best team in the West, at least record-wise.
But then, Ja Morant’s suspension and being away from the team indefinitely have pretty much derailed their season and aspirations.
That’s why former NBA player JJ Redick believes this season has turned into a disaster for the Grizzlies.
The sharpshooter pointed out the fact that some thought they could be a title contender, and now they don’t even seem like a team that could make it past the first round.
“How a team went from a title contender two months ago,” to now a team that I’m questioning whether or not they can even get out of the first round,” Redick said on First Take.
"What a disaster this season has turned into [for the Memphis Grizzlies]. … How a team went from a title contender two months ago … to now a team that I'm questioning whether or not they can even get out of the first round."
—@jj_redick pic.twitter.com/GABPWVa5f7
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 8, 2023
The Grizzlies have dropped three straight and have gone 5-5 in their past ten, and it might be a while before their best player is back on the floor — if at all this season.
They would match up vs. the Golden State Warriors in the first round if the season ended today, making their chances of getting to the second round quite slim.
Morant needs to grow up and learn from this experience, and they need to walk the walk if they talk the talk.
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