Grits and Grinds: Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies got an important NBA Cup victory on Friday night at home against the Mavericks, but lost on Sunday as the Thunder erased a 19-point deficit to pull away in the second half. This episode discusses both games, including rookie Cedric Coward continuing to excel, and the ongoing struggles of Ja Morant. Join the listener slack channel and support the creation of  Grits and Grinds  at Patr...

The Grizzlies' losing streak stretched to four games as they were outmatched at home against the Rockets. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr both struggled to score and the team looked to be out of sync as they tried to handle Houston's size. To discuss the loss, the continued underwhelming play of Ja Morant, and to discuss the feasibility of a coaching change or Morant trade, Chris Herrington joins t...

Ja Morant returned from his one game team suspension but it did not stop the Grizzlies from losing their third straight, as they fell to the Pistons on the second night of a back-to-back. This episode discusses the defeat, plus the game on Sunday against the Raptors, and the evolving situation with Ja Morant. Plus: Zach Edey news! Join the listener slack and get a bonus episode at patreon.com/fast...

The Grizzlies gave up a halftime lead to lose their NBA Cup matchup against the Lakers, but the big story is the disinterested play and postgame comments of Ja Morant, which led the team to suspend him for one game for "conduct detrimental to the team." This episode discusses the game against the Lakers, included the strong performances of the supporting cast, the disappointing play of Jaren Jacks...

Ja Morant hit the game-winner with 7 seconds left and the Grizzlies escaped Phoenix with a road win. Jaren Jackson Jr contributed 18 points and 3 steals and Cedric Coward and Santi Aldama closed out the game as the Grizzlies survived letting a late lead slip away. This episode discusses the victory, the heroics of Ja Morant, and the big role that Cedric Coward is already playing. Join the listener...

Ja Morant scored 23 points and dished 9 assists but the Warriors pulled away from the Grizzlies in the second half, dropping Memphis to 2-2. This was the first road test of the season for the Grizzlies, and they continued a multiyear struggle trying to win at Golden State.  This episode discusses the defeat and the controversial play of Draymond Green, plus looks at the bright spots and some gener...

Following a record-setting loss to the Heat on Friday night, the Grizzlies bounced back to rout the Pacers and were led by a breakout performance from rookie Cedric Coward, who dropped 27 points and made all six of his 3-point attempts.  This episode discusses the eye-popping play of Coward, plus the total team domination of the Pacers, that stood in stark contract to the previous defeat to Miami....

The Grizzlies rallied in the second half to take down the Pelicans behind the heroics of Ja Morant, the defense of Jaren Jackson Jr., and a scintillating debut from rookie Cedric Coward. Despite being shorthanded with the recent losses of Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr, the Grizzlies found a way to erase a 15 point deficit and start their season with a win. This episode discusses the game, the imp...

The Grizzlies finally won a preseason game but got terrible injury news, as Scottie Pippen Jr's toe injury will keep him out for 12 weeks and Ty Jerome suffered a calf injury, the severity of which is currently unknown. Now the Grizzlies will head into the regular season without several main players in the rotation and the hope that Ja Morant will be available. This episode discusses the current s...

Jaren Jackson jr made a surprise appearance in the preseason, returning early from offseason surgery to play against the Hornets. He scored 20 points, but the Grizzlies still lost as the once again the defense was outmatched.  This episode discusses the good news about Jaren's health, the big game from Javon Small (who started with Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr missing), and the performances of a...

The Grizzlies lost another preseason game, dropping at home to a full-strength Hawks team. Scotty Pippen Jr and Vince Williams Jr were held out, joining Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke on the injured list.  Despite struggling to score and protect the rim, the Grizzlies did make a rally in the 4th quarter behind Cedric Coward and OMax Prosper to make it close before finall...

In their second game of the preseason, the Grizzlies rested most of their veterans and ended up getting blown out by the Celtics. Rookies Cedric Coward and Javon Small started and were given big minutes, and Jaylen Wells led the team with 21 points. This episode discusses the game and the performances of every player who played. Come play fantasy basketball with Keith and other listeners this seas...

Ahead of their first preseason game, the Memphis Grizzlies announced that Ja Morant had sprained his ankle in practice and will be "week to week." With no Morant available, Ty Jerome stepped into the starting lineup against the Pistons and had a strong debut. Rookie Cedric Coward's debut was not as smooth. To discuss performances from the first preseason game and the impact of the Ja Morant injury...

"Speed Kills" is a common refrain being repeated by Grizzlies players when they speak to the media at training camp in Nashville. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo is pushing the Grizzlies, which led the NBA in pace last season, to go even faster this season.  Will it work? How will the Grizzlies be able to evolve to stay ahead of the curve in an NBA that is embracing playing faster? This episode goes over...

The Grizzlies held media day on Monday and it was an opportunity to hear from Zach Kleiman, Tuomas Iisalo, and every player before they kick off training camp. It is also the chance to hear from new team additions such as Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. There was a lot of talk about "fit" and "culture," and excitement for what the team can be this season.  This episode goes...

Ahead of next week's training camp, the Grizzlies announced several key injury updates, including a new injury for Brandon Clarke that will keep him out for several weeks. This weakens an already depleted frontcourt that is expecting to be without Jaren Jackson Jr and Zach Edey as the season opens. On this episode, the breaking Brandon Clarke injury news is discussed alongside the good update for...

Parker Fleming joins Keith on this episode to discuss the Top 25 players in the history of the Memphis Grizzlies, and the results of the fan and media poll that Parker conducted. Also included: who are the most underrated and overrated Grizzlies players ever? Join the listener slack and play fantasy basketball with Keith and other listeners at  Patreon.com/FastbreakBreakfast read Parker's multiple...

In honor of the upcoming 25th season in Memphis, and sparked by Parker Fleming's Substack post ( subtsakalidis.substack.com/p/memphis-grizzlies-top-25-media-consensus-list-randolph-gasol-conley-jackson-morant-allen-bane-nba ), Keith reveals his rank of the top 25 Grizzlies players since the franchise moved to Memphis. This episode goes over the top 10 player's on Keith's list, which of course incl...

The Grizzlies signed former 1st round pick O-Max Prosper to a two-way contract after he was waived by the Mavericks. Prosper is an athletic forward who is still raw offensively, but could be a low-risk project and fill a need in the frontcourt. This episode discusses the move, plus the training camp signings of Lawson Lovering and Tyler Burton. Also: Santi Aldama and Spain are eliminated in EuroBa...

According to reporting from The Daily Memphian, the Grizzlies have so far been reluctant to sign a long-term lease with the city of Memphis due to concerns about the state of downtown and the areas around the FedExForum. How much worry should Grizzlies' fans have about the franchise's future in Memphis? To discuss that topic, Chris Herrington joins Keith on this episode. Beyond the current lease s...

The NBA regular season schedule was released and this episode looks at the specifics of the Grizzlies' schedule including back-to-backs, rest advantages, national tv games, and more.  Join the listener slack and get a bonus episode at  Patreon.com/FastbreakBreakfast Use promo code FBBF and get up to  $1000 in bonus cash at Underdog Fantasy: play.underdogfantasy.com/p-fastbreak-breakfast Check out...

The Grizzlies are arguably further from a title than they've been in several seasons after trading Desmond Bane to the Magic, so how would you assess their busy offseason? It was an offseason that saw the team avoid free agency with Jaren Jackson Jr, add Ty Jerome, and acquire Cedric Coward in the lottery.  What are the standards to judge the offseason? What is the overall goal to be measured by? ...

The Grizzlies announced that they will play their first ever regular season game in Europe, as they will face the Orlando Magic in Berlin and London as part of the NBA's Europe Games. This decision means that the Grizzlies will not host a nationally televised MLK Day game, which breaks from the longstanding tradition since the team moved to Memphis. On this episode, Keith goes over that decision (...

The Grizzlies signed big man PJ Hall to a 2-way contract, released Zyon Pullin, and wrapped up their Summer League with a win over the Clippers. In that victory, 2nd-round draft pick Javon Small stood out with 17 points and 9 assists. This episode discusses the addition of Hall, Javon Small's strong performance in Las Vegas, and wraps up Summer League. Join the listener slack and get a bonus episo...

Jahmai Mashack and Javon Small were notable in the Grizzlies' summer league defeat to Atlanta. This episode discusses that game and the loss to the Warriors, and Mashack's continued push to be considered for one of Memphis' two-way contracts. Also covered: Santi Aldama's contract details and the hiring of Ryan Saunders. Join the listener slack and get a bonus episode at  Patreon.com/FastbreakBreak...