The up-and-coming Grizzlies were top-tier trash talkers, but things went quiet last season as injuries decimated the roster.
The loud, in-your-face Grizzlies were back on Wednesday as their team handed the Lakers their fourth loss in five games – and it started with Ja Morant. He went back and forth with LeBron James, trading buckets and each using the “too small” gesture after scoring. After the game, Morant didn’t back down, saying he wasn’t a Lakers fan.
“I don’t like them,” Morant said after the game. “They eliminated me in the play-offs and last year they talked crazy things while I was wearing normal clothes… But not tonight.”
Morant and LeBron had respect for each other, though neither backed down.
“I think I did ‘too small’ to someone who was too small,” Morant said, via the Associated Press. “He came back and did it with respect… He did it, and I don’t back down from anyone. I don’t care who you are.
“My job was to just come back. I’ve got my bucket, and I’ve set the tone. My teammates ate it, and you see what happens. Top dog in our competition. You take out the top dog, who else are you afraid of?
“Just two guys from the inner city that like to compete,” James said of the battle with Morant. “That’s how we all grew up: playing on the asphalt, playing outside, competing at a high level when there were no cameras around.”
Memphis’ depth and effort won them the match, 131-114. Both teams were short on players and without a second-best player: the Lakers were missing Anthony Davis (left heel contusion) and Rui Hachimura (illness), while the Grizzlies were without Desmond Bane (oblique strain), Marcus Smart (ankle sprain) and Luke Kennard had. (foot) and GG Jackson (foot) – but Memphis had depth, getting 20 points each from Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jaylen Wells on his way to seven players in double figures.
The Lakers got 39 from the ageless LeBron, but coach JJ Redick called for everyone’s effort – and then stormed out of his press conference.
That took eight games.
Redick did a good job of adding movement and some smart sets to the Lakers offense, he was fantastic. But maybe the issue ultimately isn’t whether the coach is Redick, Darvin Ham or Frank Vogel. Maybe the problem is the list the front office has put together.
