Grizzlies sunk by injuries
The Memphis Grizzlies were never going to win the NBA title this season, but they could have been a really tough out in the Western Conference playoffs.
Instead, thanks to some untimely injuries to important players, they will barely be a factor. After losing superstar center Marc Gasol for the season earlier in 2016, the Grizzlies lost All-Star point guard Mike Conley Jr. for the season on Monday due to his Achilles, according to ESPN.
Without Gasol on the interior and Conley running the show, Memphis will be lucky to make it past the first round. In fact, considering the depth of the West, it would be nothing short of shocking if the Grizzlies make it into the semifinals. Conley was averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per night with Memphis in his eighth season, but now will be sitting with Gasol in the sideline wondering what could have been.
At this point, only Zach Randolph remains on the floor as a legitimate weapon. As it stands right now, the Grizzlies would be taking on the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the postseason, sitting at a record of 41-36. They remain only a half-game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers, ans should they fall behind them, Memphis would play the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder.
Memphis won’t ever be remembered down the line for this group. Most will think of this era and immediately have LeBron James, Steph Curry and the San Antonio Spurs come to mind. It is too bad, because the Grizzlies are the rare team that has gotten everything out of its God-given talent, and it won’t be enough.
Lakers’ Scott calls out Nick Young
The Los Angeles Lakers are a rancid dumpster fire of a basketball team, seemingly hellbent on trying to ruin the fan base. The past two weeks have taken the nonsense to a new level in Tinseltown, with the Lakers embroiled in the Nick Young-D’Angelo Russell fiasco.
On Monday, head coach Byron Scott had some tough words for Young, who was caught on videotape last week by Russell while talking about cheating on his fiance. Per ESPN:
“It has nothing to do with the chemistry,” Scott said at practice Monday. “It has everything to do with just basketball. Right now, I know what he’s going through, and I know it’s hard on him. But he’s not here with us, mentally, and there’s no need for me to put him out there on the floor.”
Frankly, the Lakers would be wise to move on from Young as soon as humanly possible. He takes terrible shots, does not give an ounce of defensive effort and is a mediocre teammate. Los Angeles might not get more than a half-inflated basketball for him (that’s still too much) but it is worth exploring.
