Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks aimed some critical comments toward former teammate Andre Iguodala, following Memphis’s blowout 123-95 victory over Iguodala’s Warriors on Monday, as Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area relays.
“We all had the vision,” Brooks said in press conference remarks following the contest. “He didn’t, which is perfect. Send him back to the Warriors and let him do his thing over there.”
Iguodala famously opted against joining the Grizzlies upon being traded from Golden State to Memphis in 2019. Instead, the veteran practiced away from the club in anticipation of a trade or buy-out. The Heat would eventually trade for a package top-lined by Iguodala and Jae Crowder ahead of a 2020 NBA Finals run. Iguodala would remain with Miami until the summer of 2021, during which the three-time champion signed a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal to return to the Warriors.
“From the beginning, we were growing a base, we had a base and we kept building and building and building and more guys got on the train and we were able to create something like this and keep building this dynasty and this program up to new heights,” Brooks said of the Grizzlies, currently the West’s No. 2 seed thanks to a 53-23 record. “Just an amazing feeling to see guys grow every single year. I’ve been here the longest so I’m just happy to see each player grow in their role and to try to exceed their role, which is amazing to see.”
There’s more out of the Southwest Division:
- Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, who has enjoyed a breakout year in Memphis, is relishing his tenure as a reserve point guard in the absence of injured All-Star Ja Morant, writes Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Morant’s backup, Tyus Jones, has moved into a starting role. “It’s growing on me a little bit,” Bane said of running point. “At first I liked playing off the ball, but I’m starting to get more comfortable kind of figuring out my spots and where I can attack with the ball in my hands.” For the first time ever at the NBA level, the second-year guard recently notched four straight games with five assists or more.
- At 2.1 steals per game, Spurs All-Star point guard Dejounte Murray is the first San Antonio player to lead the league in steals since former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard did so during the 2014/15 NBA season, notes Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “He’s got a natural ability in that area,” raved head coach Gregg Popovich said. “He reads things and sees the spatial relationships. That’s all him.” Murray himself cites his speed for this defensive skill. “I think that’s just me having quick hands, the vision of it, knowing how to time it,” Murray said. “I’m not in it to be the league leader. That’s just Dejounte trying to be active on both ends of the floor. If that helps us get wins, I’m going to continue to try and get better at it.” Thanks in large part to the play of Murray, the 31-44 Spurs have climbed their way into the Western Conference’s play-in tournament bracket as the present No. 10 seed, though they are tied by record with the Lakers.
- 2021 All-Star Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, who has missed the entire 2021/22 NBA season thus far due to a foot fracture, traveled with his teammates on a multi-game road trip for the first time this year, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). According to Charania, though Williamson is still indefinitely sidelined, he appears to be approving in his rehab. The 32-43 Pelicans are the West’s ninth seed even sans Williamson, and appear poised to make a play-in tournament appearance.
Tried telling people that Bane was a beast, with him and a healthy Jaren Jackson Jr. they’ve truly been such a big difference to this Memphis team this season.
Their core is only just growing, this Memohis squad is going to be a big problem for the next handful of seasons, at least!!
Maybe whoever you’re telling this to is not receptive to the word “beast” as a superlative, a huge compliment. Maybe it’s generational… “monster” was popular as a descriptor once, not so much anymore.
Or his quality is old news.
The newer news is that SG/W/SF Bane is being used as a PG!— albeit alongside Tyus Jones. Bas.Ref. will likely still call that being a 2 since they go by defense.
Bane was a bit of a surprise. At TCU, he didn’t have a great year until his senior season in which he shot well and had a good steal rate. Baylor’s Davione Mitchell was similar. Bane is bigger and that contributed to his rapid NBA development. Memphis should send a thank you card to the stupid Celtics. Ainge had three first round picks and said that the team only has room for two rookies. It was vital to protect Semi Ogileye’s roster spot.
The Grizzlies are the best drafting team around IMO, as much as it pains me to admit as a Spurs fan (we’re no slouches either of course). I think Ziaire Williams will be another hit for them.
Gonna be interesting to see how they manage all of these assets moving forward in pursuit of a championship. In some ways, this is the harder part than accumulating those assets.
Your not building a dynasty until u are one
I think a lot of people don’t know what the word actually means.
I like the Grizzlies. I think they’ve done a tremendous job with their roster. If they want to go from smart to genius, they should trade Morant to the Knicks and fleece them of Quickley, Toppin, and their 2022 1st. Dolan simply wants to juice the fanbase and Ja is still something of a big name.
Just delete this account now and save yourself the embarrassment
Clearly a Suns fan who is terrified of facing the Grizzlies in the playoffs and, therefore, is desperate to see them make the dumbest possible trade in the history of the NBA.
How embarrassing for the fan of the #1 overall seed.
Grizzlies are talking a lot of smack around the league lately not the smartest thing to do. Young clubs motivate old players by talking the smack. A little over self confidence means you over look a team in the playoff and then its too late.
It’s all been backed up. It’s a mental game too