Do you have FOMO with the Memphis Grizzlies missing the NBA Cup on the eve of Ja Morant’s return?

The NBA Cup is here. Thankfully, yes, we can watch the most important tournament in all of basketball right in front of our eyes once more. I’m being facicious. I think this is ridiculous. I’m sure Deichel disagrees with me. Should we be upset that the Memphis Grizzlies are on the outside looking in of the NBA Cup? John Mor’s coming back soon. He’s buying tickets for Grizzlies fans for the game that was created because of the stupid NBA cup. and the odd man out. Who does Jaw replace in the Grizzlies rotation? It’s an easy answer for me. Let’s see if it’s easy for you. Let’s lock in on this episode of Locked On Grizzlies. You are Locked On Grizzlies, your daily Memphis Grizzlies podcast, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. Yes, yes, yes, yes. It is a Wednesday edition of Lockdown Grizzlies. Thank you so much for being with us on this episode of the show. It is I, Joe Menax, joined by my wonderful co-host to Michael Cole, Memphis Grizzlies Beat Rider for the commercial appeal there in Memphis, Tennessee. I am a contributor over at Bee Street Bears. I also do some substacking over on Grizzly Bear Blues. So glad that you’re with us wherever you’re checking out the program. Thank you for joining us. Today’s episode of Lockdown Grizzlies is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use the code lockdown NBA for $20 off your first purchase. We are free and available wherever you get podcasts as proud members of the Lockdown podcast network. Your team each and every single day. Like, comment, rate, review, subscribe, wherever you get your podcast, Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Google, YouTube, literally anywhere you go to get a podcast. Make the Michael and I part of your NBA and Memphis Grizzlies content consumption each and every time that an episode drops and continue to build what is now the number one sports podcast network out there. It is much appreciated. Thank you so much for doing just that. To Michael Cole, I’m going to bring you on in an e this is a home run for you. This is a I’m tossing up the softball and right over the fence. Yeah, the I used to do that a lot. The knockout round, the knockout stages, right, of the NBA Cup. We are so fired up for this. I am not fired up for this. I am not. I faked it there for a while, right? Trying to be excited about going to Las Vegas. Number one, I’m glad that the Grizzlies didn’t make the NBA Cup knockout stages and then eventually the tournament itself because again the semi-finals are the part I believe that are in Vegas. Um glad that they didn’t make that because it would probably result in the end of my marriage. 13 years of marriage would be up in smoke because I’d be going into debt to to go to Las Vegas to watch uh Memphis Grizzlies basketball and probably do other things I shouldn’t be doing. But thankfully that didn’t happen, at least for me on a personal note, right? On a professional note, the Memphis Grizzlies likely wouldn’t have had John Morant. Bringing him back for the first time in a long time after a long absence for a game that’s supposedly more meaningful maybe wouldn’t be the best use of the Grizzlies time. And I also I will and I’m I’m reaching a bit here. I’m acknowledging that because I’ve been a two of us eelo critic, right? The system that two Iselo is trying to implement that has the Memphis Grizzlies with, believe it or not, either at or close to a top 10 defense in the NBA now version of the efficiency numbers you use. Uh we we’ll call it top 10 right there at number 10. Whether it’s that, whether it’s the offense improving with Zack Edy, however you want to give credit, the simple fact that the schedule has gotten lighter, the team’s playing better. I don’t know that the way that Eelo runs things is conducive to a knockout round. Like how mad would Memphis Grizzlies fans be to Michael if the they are within a possession at the end of the game, three minutes left in the fourth quarter and Eslo pulls Zack Edy because he’s right at 30 minutes. Not going to play 33 minutes. He needs to come out. Joel is going to close this game because he been out there too long. It’s a minute’s recommendation. It’s not a limit. It’s a recommendation. I’m not sure that the Elo experience is conducive to an NBA Cup knockout stage run. So for me, I am not longing for the NBA Cup. What say you? Okay. From that from that point, you know, I would have loved to see, you know, how he coached because this was the thing with Taylor Jenkins for so many years. You know, we went through those regular seasons and the Grizzlies always looked good, but it didn’t become a thing until after I think the Lakers first round loss. At that point, that’s when it kind of became a thing like, okay, this team is not the same team in the playoffs as it is in the regular season, which eventually, you know, led to his exit. Like, they were pretty much on path to make the playoffs, but it’s about uh having some type of success in the postseason, and the Grizzlies haven’t demonstrated being able to do that much. So, I would have loved to get because I do think the cup gives you a little bit of that. It’s high intensity. You’re competing for something. Uh and a lot of teams, you go back to the last couple years in Cubs games, uh they do uh the minutes go up for the Stars and things like that. So, it would have been interesting to see, you know, if he stuck, you know, to his method and say, “Hey, I’m playing my guys 32 minutes and then if you play yours 40, then so be it.” Or if he would have kind of, you know, uh you let the let the leash off those guys a little bit and just let them play. Uh zero shot. You don’t actually think Iselo was gonna change the way that he coaches for the cup because of the cup? Is it because it’s European style? Demich? Is that why you think he might change his mentality? It’s got nothing to do with it, man. I just I just think at the end of the day, you’re a competitor. And remember, the first cup game, you know, the knockout in the knockout stage, the quarterfinal, and the semi-final count against your record. So, you’re you’re you’re playing for something other than just the cup. you’re actually playing for uh at that point playoff seating too. Now, let me get more to your side. Let me get more to your side and and this is where you you’ll be fine with this part of my statement. This was a blessing in disguise in a way that the Grizzlies did not u make it in the cup. Like I think if we would have said before this season, what’s the perfect case scenario for the Memphis Grizzlies uh going into this whole cup situation other than winning the whole thing? I didn’t win in the whole thing. The other perfect case scenario was having a successful record in group play, maybe getting beat out because of point differential and then drawing two weaker opponents. That was the best case scenario. And what has happened now with the Grizzlies is they went three and one in group play. So, I know some people are frowning at that, Joe. Like, wow, how do you go three and one in group play and still not make the cup? Well, look, let me tell you, you might want to be happy about that because I looked at it. If they would have made it, Joe, the team that they would have replaced is the Phoenix Suns. They would have they would have replaced the Phoenix Suns. If you take out the Suns and you insert the Grizzlies, well, congratulations. You got the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma. And then if you somehow get past them, congratulations. You’re playing the winner of the Lakers and the Spurs. So those three teams, the Bridges are combined 0 and4 against this season. Spurs got them twice and I think the Lakers and OKC got them once. So 0 and4 against those three teams this season. So you potentially go from cuz the Grizzlies are 11 and 13 right now. You go from falling to 11 and 15 as a very realistic chance that the Grizzlies could have failed to 11-15 to the idea of being 13 and 13 cuz you just you’ve beaten the Clippers what twice and you got them again. Uh you get the Jazz at home. Very realistic chance that the Grizzlies can get to 500. And that should be what matters most. And I’m so glad that you brought up that reality because who cares? I knew you would like that. I knew you would like the NBA Cup. Not me. I don’t care. I care about the games that actually matter in terms of So, I got a question for you, Joe. towards the regular season and the actual tournament at the end of the season. The postseason tournament, not the inseason tournament, not the cup sponsored by whatever sponsor it is that is helping pay all this extra money. Emirates, okay? Not not that. Whoever is going to make the next ungodly colored court, not them. I want what this team needs to be in a better position to make the playoffs. That’s what matters most. And that’s the idea transpired here of Jaw being back right on the cusp of a NBA Cup game wouldn’t have gotten you a little bit excited. Come on. Just a little bit. A little bit. Not cuz you know you get Jaw back for the quarterfinals. You know what would have made me mad? And you know this is true. You know me well enough by now. You know what the hype would have been on the on Amazon on Prime or whoever’s airing these godforsaken games? witness John Morance’s return as he prepares to lead the Grizzlies in the NBA Cup after a month of just completely pooping. That’s the technical term all over the poor man. And we’ll talk more about Jaw throughout this episode. But he should be traded. He’s a bad leader. All of these hot takes that all these people have had and now because John Morant’s making his return, that would have been the story. No, I don’t want to give them the satisfaction. I don’t want them to be able to hype up on their national machine after abusing the Grizzlies and Jaw for the last month. No. You know when Jaw’s going to come back? On December 12th against the Utah Jazz in front of a half soldout crowd at FedEx Forum because it’s a random game unless they buy more tickets, which we’ll talk more about here in a second, the players themselves. And that’s what I want because that is what the team is going to be able to use to get themselves into a better position as you alluded to. Exactly. right to Michael Cole. A chance for them to be in a better spot for actually making a postseason push as opposed to a NBA Cup push. Who cares? Maybe you care. Let us know in the comments. Hit us up on X at Michael CJOM Mullenex. Should we be longing for the NBA Cup? I’m clearly not pining for it. I know Deich would have enjoyed going to Vegas. Would have been fun. And and like I said, aside from my marriage ending, uh it wouldn’t have been no fun, but I I wouldn’t have wanted that. Of course, I love you, honey. When we come back here on Lockdown Grizzlies, who’s the odd man out for this rotation when John Morant makes his likely return this coming Friday? Stick around here on Lockdown Grizzlies. Today’s episode of Lockdown Grizzlies is brought to you by Mint Mobile. 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Go to lockedgrizlies.supcast. supercast.com and make sure you are checking out our link in the show notes as well to help you learn more about the brand new locked on everydayers club. Deichel John returns. We’re excited about that more than likely on Friday and we’ll talk more about the ticket purchase and all that sort of stuff later on in the show on 1212 day no less. I’m curious as to who you think the answer is to who is the odd man out of the rotation with Jaw returning. I I’m okay with this being a shorter part of the program if I’m being honest because you probably know exactly where I’m going with this. I know exactly who I am cutting out of the rotation and I don’t need I don’t think any I don’t think anybody offensive rebounding. I don’t need people to try to argue for the value of being malleable with all sorts of different lineups and rotations. No, John Kchar, thank you for your service. Welcome back to the bench. That’s where John Kchar is going. He played important minutes in that Trailblazers game. He’s kind of that tenth man already. That’s where at least 16 or so minutes a game is coming from. Now, you’re going to have to cut him from other places. Vince Williams Jr. probably loses a little bit of that with his point guard duties. Contavius Cowwell Pope maybe loses a few here or there. Well, I’m sure you have some thoughts on this as well as of course as you should. Um, but for me the biggest person it’s like Brucey from the longest yard, right? Oh crap, now I’m never going to play. Right from the longest yard. That’s what John Kar is probably thinking as John Morant returns. And again, I’ve never met John Kar. Could be a wonderful human being. He probably is a wonderful human being. Nothing personal. I can’t possibly formulate a personal opinion because I don’t know the guy. He has no idea who I am, I’m sure. And that’s totally fine. John Kchar, you are out of the rotation as John Morant returns. You maybe disagree with that, but I feel like that’s a pretty easy answer. No, I’m I’m I’m not going to disagree with you, but I’m I’m going to just talk about this from a contextual standpoint of there’s going to be some configurations that have to be made as well. Uh, one of those things like let’s talk about Vince Williams Jr. for a second. Vince Williams Jr. is about to go from playing on the ball all the time to I think pretty much not playing on the ball much at all. Uh that’s a pretty not noticeable change to me given the fact that Jaw’s going to play the bulk of the starting minutes. We we we know that. And be behind Jarant, it’s going to be Cam Spencer. I I I think we can agree even over the last couple games if if you’ve been watching Cam Spencer’s coming off the bench, but Cam Spencer is very much so outplaying Vince Williams Jr. in total minutes. Uh this is the situation that we saw earlier in the season when Cedric Coward was playing more minutes when he was coming off the bench than Jaylen Wells and Davius Cwell Pope. It’s reversed. It’s just at the guard spot now. Cam Spencer’s outplaying Vince Williams Jr. in minutes. Vince Williams Jr. is just drawing the start uh in games and I believe he’s played less than 20 minutes the last couple games and there have been some struggles there but I think uh what it will come down to is Vince Williams will get the first you know opportunity uh because he’s going to be it’s going to be an adjustment I think again for him going back off the ball uh playing in that role I mean he’s kind of found a rhythm he’s kind of found the niche and quite frankly we asked him a couple days ago you know when do you want to keep playing in this role or would you rather go back to your your 3 D ro what did you what do you think he said Joe? What do you think he said? What’s your As someone who’s been in sports a a large chunk of my life, I would be willing to guess that he said whatever the coaches and team needs me to do. He answered it. He answered it. No, I’ll give you that one. He answered it. Oh must have missed that. What did he choose? He said that he he’d rather stay in this role. It surprised me. Usually you say I just am going to do what’s best for the team. That’s the politically correct answer. That’s the politically correct answer. But but I’m glad that Vince Williams Jr. gave us um he he told us what he was feeling. So, look, uh that that sounds good, but it’s it’s highly unlikely given that Cam Spencer’s outplayed him as of late. Uh John Morant’s going to get the point guard. So, so you’re looking at a situation on the wing where it’s going to come down to Vince Williams Jr. or John Kchar. And this is where you talk about, oh, John Kar’s rebounding numbers are really good. So are Vince Williams Jr.’s. Uh these are two of the better rebounding wings. And it’s important that they have one of those. They talk about lineup pairs a lot. I wrote about this yesterday. Uh part of the defensive changes that they’ve made and whatnot is like players have a really good understanding of, you know, the emphasis on rebounding with the different bigs. When Zach Ed is in there, get get out the way. He’s snagging it. Uh when Jo Landell is in there, and Jock Landell will tell you this, I’m going to prioritize getting positioning. I’m going to box my guy out. I’m going to try to pin him under the basket. That means you need to get your butt in here and you need to snatch the ball. And that’s where Cedric Coward, John Contra, Vince Williams, those guys, uh, tend to come into play. So, uh, I think Vince Williams Jr. gets the first crack. Now, if you look at the minutes distribution with John Contra and Vince Williams Jr. over the last couple games, it’s been pretty similar. So, uh, I really don’t know which way that Iselo is leaning on this, but I I’m going to lean Vince Williams Jr. Interesting. Interesting. I I think that Vince Williams Jr. has to be self-aware enough to know, and I’m sure he is. He’s in the locker room every day. He understands his role on the roster better than me, maybe even better than you, because he’s literally there all the time. He has to see that he is much better suited for contributing to this team, not just in the here and now, but long term. Again, we assume that Tai Jerome will eventually make his Memphis Grizzlies official debut. We assume that Scotty Pippen Jr. will be back at some point. If he wants to be a contributing player and beat out a Contavius Cwell Pope or somebody of that ilk, it has to be as a wing. He’s not going to be a guard on this team. That’s Cam Spencer’s problem. Vince Williams Jr. was doing this out of necessity. Exactly. And and that’s how I look at it, too. You know, with Vince Williams Jr., he he kind of said it himself. He hadn’t played point guard mostly since like high school days and he did a little bit, you know, uh, in college and then kind of VCU Rams. Go Rams. Shout out to VCU Rams. And same thing with Cam Spencer. He said the same thing. And that’s kind of the situation. All these point guards have been hurt and they’ve been kind of thrown into these situations and whatnot. And it’s, you know, I I feel like it’s tough though for Vince Williams because you you saw, especially with the game with 15 assists and he had the 17 assist game. you saw like he found a pathway there and of course it comes down to shot making. I know some people wanted him to be a little bit more aggressive with the shot and that’s kind of one of the big differences cuz Cam Spencer’s coming off those screens and when Zack Edit gets that creates that space, Cam Spencer letting it go and and I think I saw a stat where right now Cam Spencer is the best pullup three-point percentage shooter in the NBA right now. Uh shoot he’s making over 50% on pull up three-pointers. And that comes in handy when you got a guy like Zack Edy who’s going to set that screen, clear that space, and you take that one dribble pull up and you drop it in the basket. Vince Williams Jr. uh hasn’t had that same ability. But again, the defensive ability of Vince Williams Jr. I mean, it was nice for a while to see the Grizzlies have Vince said, and Jaylen like didn’t you didn’t you like that? Like that’s that’s a big reason for you know, we talked about now back-to-back games where they’ve allowed under 100 points. We talked about over the last 10 games how the defense has drastically you know uh you know been on an uptick top three defensive rating over the last five games. A lot of that is Zack Edy on the back end, but it’s also the fact that you have all these dynamic perimeter defenders. Uh that’s something we’re going to have to talk about later in the week. You’re going to lose one of those defenders when you insert John Moran in there. So that’s something that’s going to be worth uh touching on as well. And it also has to do with the fact that they have played one of the weaker schedules in the entire NBA over that last same stretch of games. I hate to be a Debbie Downer or a negative Nancy. Usually I’m a positive Pete, but I want to just remind everybody context is important. The Grizzlies are playing better, but two things can be true at the same time. They’re playing better while they play inferior competition. how the Grizzlies look when that competition steps up a little bit over the next couple of weeks. That will be fascinating to watch on Furl, especially as John Morant makes his return to the Grizzlies. Almost certainly on Friday, barring something unforeseen, he went out and made a goodwill gesture to Memphis Grizzlies fans. We’ll talk about that next here on Lockdown Grizzlies. Today’s episode of Lockdown Grizzlies is brought to you by Game Time. The World Cup is coming back to North America. This is happening for the first time since 1994. 48 teams are involved for the first time ever. It is going to be massive. But let’s be honest, getting tickets is usually the hardest part. That’s why the Game Time app is clutch. Finally, giving fans a real advantage when it comes to snagging seats. 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Today, closing out this episode of Lockdown Grizzlies, it is I, Joe Mullenax, alongside co-host to Michael Cole, Memphis Grizzlies Beat Rider for the Commercial Appeal there in Memphis, Tennessee. And to Michael, uh, they haven’t kicked me off of the email list yet, which I appreciate. Shout out to Ross over at Grizzlies PR. Shout out Grizz PR. I’m sure you knew about this before I did, but I got the email. Number 12, John Morant to treat 250 fans with tickets for Grizzlies game on Friday 1212. Okay, call 12 on 12:12. I like that. Against the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies guard number 12 John Morant is treating 250 fans with a pair of tickets to the game on Friday, December 12th at 700 p.m. Central against the Utah Jazz. Tickets will be given away Wednesday, December 10th. That is today at 2 p.m. inside the grand lobby of FedEx. Better get there. Better get there. first curve to serve basis. Yes, hopefully you’re getting this episode uh early in the morning and you know that you need to get downtown. You need to get to the grand lobby of FedEx Forum and get those tickets. And shout out to John Morant for this offer. I mentioned it earlier in the show. It’s been a a rough month or so for John Mar. Not as rough as previous months have been, but still pretty rough. And I mentioned on yesterday’s show that this may be the most important return game for Jaw since that first game back coming out of the 25game suspension. And I stand by that. I think that take has aged relatively well in the 24 hours or so since I had it because of everything we talked about earlier in the program. the idea of him being like LaMelo Ball or Trey Young as a troubled guard who needs to move. You know, the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested. He should go to the Miami Heat and play for Heat Culture. Never mind the offense of the Miami Heat is the same offense that Jaw allegedly uh was not as big of a fan of this past year with Noah Lar Ro. So much misinformation, so many hot takes and narrative creating comments. This is Jaw stepping up and sharing out his love for Memphis, which he has been fairly upfront about his entire this whole process on social media at least. This is him putting his literal money where his social media presence is, right? This is him paying for 250 members of the community to go to this game, be a part of his likely return on 1212 day. John Morant is someone who for all of his flaws, you certainly cannot say that he does not love Memphis, does not love the community. He’s not actively a positive part of that community. And in the leadup to his return to Michael, I know you’ve noticed this too, he’s been active as a coach on the bench. He has stood up for his teammate Cedric Coward uh when Denny Abda did something he probably shouldn’t have done in the game on Sunday. This is a John Morant who as disconnected as maybe he appeared before again it’s hard to erase those messages and memories out of your mind. He looks very connected right now and this is a real good gesture from Jaw. It’s important to remember whether it’s a podcast, a newspaper, a blog, just a fan of the team. When John Moran succeeds that usually means Memphis succeeds and that’s what everybody should be rooting for, right? It’s definitely what everybody should be rooting for. Uh in this case, you know, getting job back out there like we talk about all these things, you know, that the Grizzlies have improved that with you said it with the weaker schedule, uh the offense still isn’t, you know, anything to be excited about and that’s something that you’re hoping to get, you know, when you get job back. But, you know, the ticket part, you know, with the buying tickets and things like that, it’s something that we’ve seen Jiren Jackson Jr. do this, you know, in the playoffs a few times, you know, first round of the playoffs, buy some tickets for fans, things like that. So, shout out to J. And it’s it’s 1212, right? It’s December 12th, uh, and number 12 for the Grizzlies. So, it’s it’s just it’s it’s a Memphis holiday at this point. It’s 12 day in Memphis. So, uh, John’s returning, number 12 is returning on 1212. I’m surprised, you know, uh, the the ticket number didn’t end with 12 uh, on the end. So, but um all jokes aside, yeah, shout out to John Morant for for doing this. Uh he does a lot of things in the community and you know, I I even know that like a lot of those things aren’t publicized. Like, you know, you talk to people around him every now and then. I find out some things that he’s done in the past and it’s like, oh, I didn’t know about that when it happened or sometimes I find out things right when they’re about to happen and it’s like, ah, they don’t really care about the attention, you know, uh for for certain things. So there are certain times, you know, we publicize or whatever, you know, all these things that John Mar’s doing. The Grizzlies publicizing or his team publicizes them, but some things are just out the kindness of your heart, you know, like we’ve seen the videos in the past where he he gave the lady the tip and uh and the rest of the run and there are several examples. I’ve heard people tell me like, man, child gave me, you know, nice tip and all these type of things. But that’s that’s all beside the point just goes back to the fact uh you know, shout out to him looking out for the Grizzlies fan. This is the game, you know, that was just added to the schedule. I believe like November 29th is when they came out. And look, going back to the part like it would have been cool if the Grizzlies were playing some some high-end uh teams like they would have been playing in the cup. But now you just draw the Utah Jazz. Like the Utah Jazz by name. No one’s jumping out the seat going, “Hooray, it’s the Utah Jazz.” But uh you know Jaws return and then these tickets uh to giving these fans 250 tickets that should definitely help uh get some seats and get some butts in FedEx form. I would agree. So again kudos to John Morant. Wonderful gesture. Hopefully folks are heading to FedEx Forum on Friday. Going to check out the team. Again they are well set up to be 500 by the end of this weekend. That is a very realistic thing. And if you had told that to me at the start of the season before all of the injuries and craziness, I would have been thrilled. I would have loved them being a 500 basketball team around Christmas time. They have a very real possibility being able to do that. So again, nobody’s been harder on two easelo than me. Uh nobody has been as hesitant to give credit where it’s due, but given everything that’s transpired, John Morance’s return, it feels like a positive vibe. It feels like a positive thing. And that’s crazy to say going back a month ago how how that t how those tides have turned. It’s funny how winning helps with that to Michael Cole. It’s funny uh just a little bit of winning can turn things around. Um but kudos to John. Well done. Well uh wellthoughtout plan to build buzz for like you said a Friday night game in Memphis against the Utah Jazz. It means a little bit more I think it’s fair to say today. Uh thanks for tuning in to Locked on Grizzlies. We appreciate it. On our next edition of the show, I think the Grizzlies are finally practicing, right? I I believe that’ll be happening and we’ll probably get some tidbits out of practice from coach Iselo and players that Deich gets a chance to speak with. Uh, anything else? You mentioned a moment ago some other ideas of how we could tackle our next edition of the podcast, partner. Yeah. Uh, we we definitely got to start looking at some of these other uh, what do you call them? Just the ramifications of of John Mar potentially being back here. But yeah, we’ll hopefully get a practice in here so we can get an idea of just, you know, what he’s doing in practice, how close he is. Again, the last time I checked, he was still doing no contact stuff, right? It was still uh no contact, but now I’m sure at this point he’s probably going to be doing some contact work. I think that’s something that people may want to know. But yeah, just the ramifications of this jaw thing uh because it’s a lot. It’s a lot. As long as there’s not a step back, right? We’ve talked about this before. Usually a player is listed as doubtful, then questionable. It protects them in case something goes wrong or south. That’s likely what’s going to happen, but you feel more confident in that coming out of an actual practice. And we should have that for our next episode of the podcast. Make sure you’re subscribing and following Locked on Grizzlies so you get all the latest episodes. Remember, we’re at Joe Mullenax at Deichelc onx. Did Lockdown Grizzlies make your Spotify wrapped or maybe uh your YouTube list? Prove it on social media. Secure a free month of our brand new Everydayer Club. Just tag our National Lockdown Podcast Network account on any social platform and we’ll drop you a code. Be one of the first to enjoy the Everydayer Club to get your favorite show, Locked On Grizzlies ad free and exclusive access to the membersonly Discord channel. For those of you on video, we send you to the first ever 247 National NBA YouTube channel. On audio, make sure you are making your second listen NBA game night on Locked on NBA. 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Are there tears in Memphis that the Grizzlies just missed out on the NBA Cup knockout round? Hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax discuss that, plus break down Ja Morant’s upcoming return from injury, on this episode of Locked on Grizzlies!

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7 comments
  1. I counted at least 6 ads and long winded self promotions in this 30 minute video.
    It's starting to feel like more ads than actual content lately. This is a dangerous path to walk and you may start pushing people away. Tread carefully.

    Maybe if you had less ads, you would have had time to actually address the most important aspect of missing the cup playoffs which is that we're getting a mini training camp!
    Now we have 4 days to smooth out old stuff, introduce new stuff, and integrate Ja back into the System.
    If you understand how Tuomas and the System works, this is a godsend!

  2. No. For a team that is as injured as the Grizzlies normally are, it's a good thing they missed the cup. They also probably need the practice time given how much Iisalo has talked about how little practice time there is.

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