Why do the Grizzlies not feel as dominant as they were last year?

[jokeboy86]

I think they're not sneaking up on people anymore but they also need another great iso player if you even want to call Ja a great one since he's not a consistent shooter. So basically they're eventually going to need what every great contender always needs: a legit #2. Unless people think Bane/Brooks can be like Holiday/Middleton which I don't.

[BAMAFREAK]

Geez at the over reactions in here. One of the youngest teams in the league are second in the west. Yes we are in a 3-9 stretch but that’s on the heels of an 11 game win streak.
Right now, we are without our one true big, dirty deeds guy. To compound that, the front office is trying to extend and raise our ceiling with the Anderson and Melton moves. We replaced them with rookies or 2nd year guys.
Furthermore, Bane, JJJ, and now Adams have all missed extended time. Yet we are still a few games ahead of the jumbled up West race.
Having said all that, we are still an above average two way wing from winning a title(s). Everything is in place, just need development and to consolidate for a wing. Then it’s time to roll

[cam24thomas]

Why do the Grizzlies not feel as dominant as they were last year?

I know they have had injuries, but something still feels off in terms of the way they were beating competition last year.

Simple, they are unprofessional on and off the court. Ja's attitude in general is super clown. "We good in the West". He's not as crazy as Kyrie, but he's sure a clown. His friends and family causing problems on and off the court at games. Dillon Brookes is a super clown, and this has nothing to do with his atrocious hair, just his trash attitude in general.

Second, West got stronger. SUNS, PELICANS, NUGGETS, LAKERS all are stronger since last year. Grizz aren't winning a title this year, not unless their players mature overnight.

Yeah at least Kyrie spoke humbly about his team and is beloved by other players. At least Ja probably won't win a championship

[BrianInPhilly]

They havent won anything yet but act like they have. I blame Morant. I dont think he is a leader. He seems to worry more about his game than the teams success.

I’m with you. I’m old school. I understand the “don’t get too high/low” mentality but I’ve seen Ja grinning ear to ear and cracking jokes several times as the Grizzlies are losing or getting blown out. It’s just bad leadership and shows he’s not emotionally invested into winning. (PS look up Ja and Green talking after grizzlies lost the playoffs last year. Dude didn’t even seem disappointed)

I watched guys like Dirk, Garnett, Duncan, Kobe for 20 years and can never recall them laughing on the bench and smiling in the final seconds after a loss.

[steefP2]

Frauds last year, frauds again. 21st in halfcourt offense, not enough shooting. Their offense relied on turning the other team over and offensive rebounding but with Anderson and melton gone they’re not as good at the first anymore. JA is a good creator but no the upper echelon folks make him out to be, 56% ts for ja while league average is 58%. Their defense relies on JJJ shutting down the rim but they allow a ton of 3’s and force no midrangers so they’re susceptible to high variance there. Briefly said, they weren’t a contender last year and they aren’t now. Still a good and very very young so lots of upward potential but the media and fans have jumped the gun a bit with this team. Give them another year or 2.

[OGSactownballer]

They havent won anything yet but act like they have. I blame Morant. I dont think he is a leader. He seems to worry more about his game than the teams success.

I’m with you. I’m old school. I understand the “don’t get too high/low” mentality but I’ve seen Ja grinning ear to ear and cracking jokes several times as the Grizzlies are losing or getting blown out. It’s just bad leadership and shows he’s not emotionally invested into winning. (PS look up Ja and Green talking after grizzlies lost the playoffs last year. Dude didn’t even seem disappointed)

I watched guys like Dirk, Garnett, Duncan, Kobe for 20 years and can never recall them laughing on the bench and smiling in the final seconds after a loss.

Ja has a ton of talent but I see him as this generations Iverson.

Especially with all the family/friends/off-court BS going on. Completely reminds me of Iverson throwing his GF on the lawn naked after a fight.

You’re in the damn pros. Act like a professional.

[Lunartic]

Ja needs to stop carrying the goddamn ball so much, it's difficult to watch him.

[_qubik]

The NBA circus, they are going nowhere with this attitude, also I dont see a team winning a title with Ja as its best player. They will be fun, may pull a trick and eliminate a better team, but they are far from real contention

[NO-KG-AI]

They obviously were playing well above their talent level from great coaching, chemistry, and effort that might not have been sustainable. The Ja-less Grizzlies were doing 72 win Bulls kinds of numbers . They were bound to have some coming back to earth from things like that. They probably are taking their foot off the peddle a bit too as they get more concerned with the post season and treating the season as a marathon.

[oaf54]

I feel like they lost their swag after the Shannon Sharpe incident.

[HotelVitale]

Geez at the over reactions in here....Having said all that, we are still an above average two way wing from winning a title(s).

From 'let's be reasonable, guys' to 'we are a baby's hair from a legit dynasty' in 4 sentences. My man.