It feels like déjà vu for the Memphis Grizzlies. The same script that once defined their young, electrifying superstar has come back with a new twist. This time, the story isn’t about suspensions for off-court behavior, but about frustration, mistrust, and leadership friction.
The Memphis Grizzlies are in a bit of a pickle at the moment; they have lost three consecutive games and Ja Morant is terribly displeased with how everything is going for his team.
Ja Morant didn’t do much to cool down the situation between him and the Grizzlies after returning from his one-game suspension. Morant had 18 points and 10 assists in a 114-106 loss to the Pistons, but his answers afterward stayed short and centered on the same theme: go back to the team’s statement.
The all-time list of NBA All-Stars is obviously long, and notably distinguished. However, there are some players — for various reasons — who the casual, or even most-dedicated, NBA fans can't recall having earned All-Star nods.
Draymond Green reveals he saw the clash between the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant coming before the world got to know about it. Morant was suspended for one game for apparently having a heated exchange with head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo didn’t say much about the one-game suspension for Ja Morant, prior to Monday’s home loss to the Pistons. “We had a discussion and we’re all looking to move forward and beat the Pistons tonight,” Iisalo told reporters.
It’s gotten increasingly difficult to separate the basketball from the noise when it comes to Ja Morant. The Memphis Grizzlies superstar was dealt yet another suspension following the Grizzlies’ matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, serving the punishment during the team’s last match against the Toronto Raptors.
One year, the Memphis Grizzlies declined the fourth-year option on former No. 19 pick Jake LaRavia's rookie deal. Maybe the disrespect lit a fire under LaRavia, who has scored 25 points in two of his last three games for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Memphis Grizzlies fell to 3-4 on the season after a 117-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. It marked the second straight loss for Memphis after a 117-112 loss at home against the Los Angeles Lakers, who are playing without LeBron James.
After Ja Morant's one-game suspension after publicly clashing with his head coach, the Memphis Grizzlies may consider trading their mercurial All-Star. The problem is finding a team that wants him.