The intensity of recent fiery comments from Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose was just the beginning. But the Memphis Grizzlies’ practice on Tuesday was the moment when the desperation for a victory reached a fever pitch.
The assistant coaches, usually boisterous and energetic, remained quiet. On this particular day, it was up to the players to take charge.
The Grizzlies’ coach, Taylor Jenkins, took the lead for the coaching staff. The practice court reverberated with loud, disruptive speakers comparable to the in-game noise at FedExForum. This approach aimed to enhance the team’s communication, paving the way for a player-led practice session.
“If somebody messed up, it was on the players to tell them we messed up and how to do it better,” shared Santi Aldama following Wednesday’s game. “Really just getting comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“That was one of the hardest practices of my career,” later reflected Ziaire Williams. “It was like training camp, for sure. When you’re three and whatever, sometimes you need those.”
The outcome was the Grizzlies’ first home win of the season, prevailing over the Utah Jazz with a 105-91 score.
The concerted communication efforts had an impact. The Grizzlies’ players were vocal, resulting in fewer defensive breakdowns. The Jazz, with a 6-12 record, shot just 37.8% overall and failed to score more than 25 points in any quarter.
“It shows that our guys care,” Jenkins remarked. “Sometimes we talk about working in the mud, getting uncomfortable with pushing each other and all that stuff. Our guys can respond. That’s the biggest thing.”
It wasn’t just the fact that the Grizzlies (4-13) secured a win — it was the manner in which they did it. Jenkins was animated and engaged, even when they were leading by 20 points in the final minutes. He maintained communication with players on both offense and defense, akin to any other game this season. However, this time, they were making hustle plays and not being denied on 50-50 balls.
Both Williams and Derrick Rose found themselves contesting Jazz possessions where it seemed the Utah player was closing in on a loose ball. In both instances, the Grizzlies players reached out in front of their opponent, tipping the ball forward and winning the race to the ball for an easy transition basket.
“That was an emphasis, obviously,” Aldama acknowledged. “Anytime we have a chance to make a winning play, we’ve got to go out there and do it. It’s up to everybody.”
Then, there was a return to what fans are accustomed to seeing from the Grizzlies. Jaren Jackson Jr.’s blocks have significantly decreased this season, but he recorded six against the Jazz and scored 20 points on 8-for-19 shooting.
Memphis racked up 58 points in the paint, 23 transition points, and claimed a season-high 51 rebounds. These are three areas where the Grizzlies have fallen short of the past team standards.
Williams even executed an alley-oop dunk in transition, reminiscent of past seasons with players like himself, Ja Morant, and Brandon Clarke, but this was the first one this season.
“Finally, man!” exclaimed Williams. “I literally just told (Ja Morant) that it took me 20 games to get one. . . Normally I’m trying to get one a game if not more, but it starts with defense.”
The Grizzlies are set for back-to-back road games against the Mavericks on Friday and the Suns on Saturday, two of the top five teams in the Western Conference. The improved communication against the Jazz needs to carry over. This was something that Rose emphasized ahead of the game.
“It’s not only going to start in the game,” he stressed Wednesday morning after shootaround. “You’ve got to do it in walk-throughs, practices. Any chance we get.”
It’s not just about guys yelling or helping players get in position. It’s also about speaking up when someone makes a mistake, addressing body language, and maintaining the same energy whether in the game or on the bench.
“I raised my hand,” affirmed Rose. “I’m the first one. I do (expletive) up in games sometimes, but it’s accountability. Somebody’s got to call me out whenever I mess up, and vice versa.”
Wednesday’s triumph felt like a breakthrough. The Grizzlies recognized the beauty in struggle and comfort in the uncomfortable.
The next stretch of games won’t be easy, but players and coaches are proud of the progress.
“As I told them, don’t be satisfied,” insisted Jenkins. “This isn’t good enough. We have to be better moving forward. But this sets a tone.”
Emily Turner is your source for everything NBA. As a dedicated basketball enthusiast, she offers insights into NBA games, player highlights, trade rumors, and the league’s evolving dynamics. Emily’s love for the sport shines through in her comprehensive NBA coverage.
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