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The Memphis Grizzlies have been reeling since the much-publicized incident involving three-time Super Bowl winner Shannon Sharpe. They have now lost five straight games since that heated argument with Sharpe at halftime versus the LA Lakers last Jan. 20.
Basketball fans couldn’t resist trolling the loud and brash team after yet another loss:
“Shannon Sharpe has put a curse on the Grizzlies.”
Crediting Shannon Sharpe for the curse on the Memphis Grizzlies may be a little too much. Except for the 133-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings last Jan. 23, all four other losses have been tightly-contested defeats. Ja Morant’s absence against the Kings was the biggest reason for the lopsided drubbing.
The Grizzlies lost by a combined six points to the LA Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Even with injuries to Steven Adams and Desmond Bane, Memphis has given themselves the chance but just couldn’t convert.
Ja Morant paced the Memphis Grizzlies with 27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds versus the Timberwolves but fell just short in the end.
The superstar guard once claimed in an interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks that he’s fine in the West. After the loss to Minnesota, Memphis is 15-15 against teams from their conference.
After the aforementioned Lakers game, Shannon Sharpe and Tee Morant peacefully reconciled. The former Denver Broncos tight end also issued a public apology for escalating the whole situation. He even lauded Dillon Brooks’ for his play this season.
The Memphis Grizzlies are still near the top of the Western Conference standings
Five straight losses have done little to affect the Memphis Grizzlies' spot in the tightly-contested battle for a playoff spot in the West. To a degree, Ja Morant’s “I’m fine in the West” comments still ring true. They will have to prove more of that once they get into the postseason.
Memphis now holds a 31-18 record, just three games behind the Denver Nuggets for the top seed. The losing skid, however, has brought them closer to the Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and LA Clippers.
It’s still uncertain when the Grizzlies can get back Steven Adams and Desmond Bane. Without those two, Memphis will have to work harder on both ends of the floor to keep its place in the standings.
A little home remedy might help sustain the Memphis Grizzlies while waiting for two of their starters to return. They will be playing at FedExForum in eight of their next 11 games. Taylor Jenkins’ squad holds an NBA-best 20-3 mark when they play in front of their home fans.
Securing home-court advantage in the playoffs is crucial but it’s not everything, though. They could face the Minnesota Timberwolves yet again in the first round. The retooled Timberwolves might surprise them if they’re not at their best.
Last season, they were the second seed as well, but lost in six games to the third-seeded and eventual champions Golden State Warriors.
For now, the Memphis Grizzlies are fine in the West. It will be interesting to see if that stays true once the postseason starts.
Guess the Lakers players!
