Griz take a break, but Joerger has homework
Coach plans for life without Gasol
While his players prepared to depart for various vacation destinations after Wednesday night’s victor y at Brooklyn, Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger boarded a return flight to Memphis.
Joerger will spend the NBA’s All-Star break resting locally but a lso work i ng on this important homework assignment: Drafting a blueprint for how best to pl ay without center Marc Gasol.
Memphis’ win over the Nets was its last game before an All-Star layoff that lasts until Feb. 19. Joerger and Co. will reconvene for practice next Wednesday with the reality of Gasol (broken right foot) ruled out indefinitely having set in.
“For me to declare what we’re going to do, how we’re going to play, what the lineups look like is going to be difficult until we get back after the break,” Joerger said. “Now I can go on break, get some physical rest, some mental rest and have a plan for what we’re going to do.”
Joerger and general manager Chris Wallace said they weren’t sure if Gasol’s absence meant journeyman center Ryan Hollins would be signed for the rest of this season. Hollins’ second 10-day contract expired after the Brooklyn game.
NBA players are restricted to two 10-day deals with the same team. The Griz would have to sign Hollins for the remainder of the season if they bring him back. He is an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team at any time.
The Griz are also expecting big man Brandan Wright (knee) to return soon after the All-Star break.
Zach Randolph started at center and backup JaMychal Green began Wednesday’s game at power forward. Even though Joerger praised Randolph’s work against the Nets’ taller center, Brook Lopez, Joerger has often expressed concern about playing Randolph extended minutes at center.
Randolph is mostly a power player in the paint, and taller, longer defenders tend to make it difficult for him to score in the post.
“Zach is a lot better player from the elbow than people know,” Joerger said. “But for us, Marc is the best in the league at that. So maybe there is an opportunity for Zach to pound (inside) when he can pound and then take a guy at the elbow because of how feathery his hands are and how soft the ball is on the rim.”
Against the Nets, Randolph played on the move. The Grizzlies’ ball movement was crisp and created good looks at the basket for everyone on the floor. A majority of the Grizzlies’ offensive action tends to go through Gasol.
Without Gasol, the Griz played quicker and looked for scores earlier in the shot clock.
“We don’t have one guy that is going to sub in and be Marc Gasol,” point guard Mike Conley said. “We need to continue to grow, continue to learn how to play a different style, learn how to play together with different lineups and figure it out quicker than, you know, trying to take two or three weeks to figure out our identity.”