By Michael Wallace
Grind City Media
SALT LAKE CITY – While calling for patience as the Grizzlies work through early chemistry issues and injury concerns, first-year coach David Fizdale is now demanding progress from a team that’s slipped into the bottom third of the league in defensive execution.
Fizdale challenged the leadership of his veteran core and questioned the team’s effort on defense as the Grizzlies enter Monday’s game against the Jazz. Memphis looks to bounce back from Saturday’s 106-96 loss in Milwaukee to open a four-game road trip. The Grizzlies will need to win two of the remaining three games against the Jazz, Clippers and Mavericks to return home with no worse than a .500 record.
After staying over in Milwaukee after the loss, the Grizzlies (4-5) traveled Sunday and practiced for nearly two hours immediately upon landing in Salt Lake City. The extended workout and film session were intended to accomplish two things: address the sluggish defensive effort and to demand accountability from veterans to uphold the Grizzlies’ reputation as one of the NBA’s toughest teams.
“We’ve got to stop straddling the line – we’re riding the fence right now on committing to how we want to play, and I don’t like it,” Fizdale said after Sunday’s practice at the University of Utah. “It’s about getting two feet in, and really making a switch with how we’re going to approach things. Hopefully, we’ll see a different result (Monday).”
The latest frustrations stem from Saturday’s performance in Milwaukee, where the Bucks scored a combined 77 points in the paint and from the free-throw line by breaking down Memphis’ defense and attacking the lane. Milwaukee also scored 24 points off the Grizzlies’ turnovers. It was the continuation of a disturbing defensive trend for Memphis, which ranks 20th in opponent field goal percentage, 21st in opponent three-point shooting, 24th in transition defense and 27th in opponent free-throw attempts.
“Some of it is internal,” Fizdale said of reasons behind the team’s inconsistent play while adjusting to a new system on both ends of the court. “When something is new to you and strange, you always toe the line. But we don’t have time to do that. We have to dive in. They understand where I stand on it. I think they got the message, and I just want to see a shift in the effort. Our transition defense is disgusting. We should be disgusted with our effort … getting back on defense. That’s unacceptable.”
HEALTH REPORT
Tony Allen (groin) and Brandan Wright (ankle) are out for the Grizzlies, although Allen did some light shooting drills after Sunday’s practice at the University of Utah. It is unclear whether Allen, who has missed the past three games, will be able to play at all during the current four-game road trip that concludes Wednesday against the Clippers and Friday against the Mavericks. Chandler Parsons (knee) has been dealing with soreness and is questionable, as is Mike Conley’s (hamstring). For the Jazz, George Hill (finger), Boris Diaw(leg) and Derrick Favors (knee) are questionable. Alec Burks (knee) is out.
NUMBERS WATCH
0. That’s the number of victories the Grizzlies have on the road so far this season. At 0-3 entering Monday’s game in Utah, Memphis is the only Western Conference team yet to have won on the road, with losses at New York, Minnesota and Milwaukee. The Grizzlies are in a stretch in which they play seven of nine contests away from FedExForum. Counting last season’s playoffs, they’ve lost 11 straight games on the road, with their most recent win away from home coming March 21 at Phoenix.
KEEP AN EYE ON
Chandler Parsons. His performances have gotten increasingly better over the course of his first week back on the court since recovering from right knee surgery last March. Parsons, however, has been battling soreness in his left knee the past few days and is listed as questionable for Monday’s game. The Grizzlies’ top incoming free agent contributed a season-high 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, along with four rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block in 23 minutes during Saturday’s loss to the Bucks. The Grizzlies are managing his minutes initially, having kept his playing time in the range of 20 minutes through the first three games. Since going 0-for-8 in his debut a week ago, Parsons has shot 47.3 percent and averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds the past two games.
GRIZZ-TAKE
Vince Carter on the Grizzlies’ trying to persevere through a rough start – We’re still a work in progress. I think we’ll get there, because I think we’re aware of it. It’s always a problem when you’re not aware of the problem or what we need to fix. But we’re aware of it. We’re a veteran team. We just have to continue to bring our young guys along. It’s just a process that we have to fight through.”
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The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.