The complete report card of the Grizzlies loss to the Kings.
Grizzlies Report Card
Grizzlies 90 - Kings 102
Coach Dave Joerger: 1 TECH
Grade: B
I don't think anyone knows what Coach Joerger was doing in the fourth quarter. His rotations pointed to Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph getting rest, but he inserted them into the game when it was all but over. I like that he is willing to get technicals to get everyone motivated. Unfortunately, it didn't work against the Kings.
Starters
Mike Conley: 36 MINS | 12 PTS | 4-14 FGS | 7 ASTS | -5
Grade: B-
This game seemed like one in which Mike Conley would assert himself and take over. He was being guarded by Ray McCallum and Andre Miller. Instead, Mike struggled from the field and on defense, where Ray McCallum repeatedly took him to the rack. Conley had 7 assists so he did a good job of distributing the ball. He just struggled everywhere else. He may have been tired, as this was the Grizzlies' 3rd game/city in 4 nights. It would explain a good amount of things.
Courtney Lee: 32 MINS | 9 PTS| 4-11 FGS | 4 REBS | -11
Grade: C
It just wasn't the Grizzlies night. Every time CLee put up a three it was like "this one has to go in" and it wouldn't go in. Or be close to going in. Then CLee kept having to cheat off his man in the corner to help Jeff Green in the paint, which led to one or two open threes.
Jeff Green: 30 MINS | 11 PTS | 4-9 FGS | 3 REBS | +12
Grade: C
For all of those who think Jeff Green can guard Kevin Durant:
Rudy Gay 35 MIN | 28 PTS | 12-20 FGS
THAT'S A RUDY GAY REVENGE GAME IF I'VE EVER SEEN ONE. It felt like he didn't miss a shot in the fourth quarter. Jeff let him get to his spots and wasn't being physical with him at any point in the game. It was so bad that Tony Allen had to come in and guard him after Green allowed him to get hot. He was doing good things on offense, then actually morphed into Rudy Gay and started taking bad shots. It was weird.
Zach Randolph: 30 MINS | 20 PTS | 7-10 FGS | 5 REBS | -2 | 1 TECH
Grade: B+
It was a scrappy game from Randolph. We all knew it was going to be because Reggie Evans was involved, but he was only half of the source of ZBo's ire. Boogie Cousins wanted to throw down and ZBO HAS NO PROBLEM THROWING DOWN THEN ELBOWING YOU IN THE FACE. It was a good bounce back game from Randolph after struggling against the Clippers and Trail Blazers.
Marc Gasol: 36 MINS | 14 PTS | 4-10 FGS | 7 REBS | -1
Grade: B
I wish Marc had taken about 10 more shots in this game. I think he knew he didn't have it so he started distributing the ball. I think it would be fair to say Cousins and Gasol flummox/beat each other during the game. Marc was getting away with fouling Cousins while Cousins racked up the fouls on the other end. YOU CAN'T BE SO OBVIOUS WITH IT, YOUNG FELLA. Gasol played well, just not well enough to win the game.
Bench
Tony Allen: 27 MINS | 9 PTS | 4-9 FGS | 5 REBS | -24
Grade: B
Peak Grindfather game: Blow layups, play good defense, and take about three more shots than he should.
Nick Calathes: 13 MINS | 7 PTS| 3-7 FGS | 3 STLS | -3
Grade: B
Is Nick Calathes the new backup point guard? I think Nick Calathes may be the new backup point guard. His defensive advantage and reemerging offensive game make it a somewhat sensible move. It may not be for long so let us all enjoy Nicky Slicks while we can. I thought he should have played more against the Kings, especially with Conley struggling, but Coach Joerger wasn't seeing it that way. Calathes has an advantage over Andre Miller in just about every way. There's no way he doesn't wreak havoc in more time.
Jon Leuer: 12 MINS | 6 PTS | 3-5 FGS| -11
Grade: B-
JONNY ALMOST MADE THE COMEBACK HAPPEN. ALL HE NEEDED WAS MORE TIME. HE COULD HAVE DONE IT WITH HIS DUNKING AND MIDRANGE JUMPERS. ALL HE NEEDED WAS MORE TIME. JONNY COULD HAVE BROUGHT MEMPHIS A VICTORY BUT ZBO HAD TO PLAY. ALL HE NEEDED WAS MORE TIME
Kosta Koufos: 17 MINS | 0 PTS | 0-5 FGS | 9 REBS| -9
Grade: D+
Kosta oh Kosta...you were not good in this game. The 9 rebounds were nice, but his defense was poor and he couldn't have hit the ocean from a pier.
Beno Udrih: 6 MIN | 0 PTS | 1-4 FGS | -6
Grade: Not Eligible
DNPs
Jordan Adams: DNP Coach's Decision
JaMychal Green: DNP Coach's Decision