In the 2014-15 season, the Grizzlies reached the Western Conference semifinals, and the opponent was the Warriors at that time, and the Grizzlies failed to break through the Warriors' guard, returning with regret and sadness. That Grizzlies' last flash was snuffed out by the Warriors in a reversed fashion, until seven years later, when the Grizzlies finally stepped onto the semifinals stage again.
It seems a bit distant now, in the era of "black and white bears", Vince Carter was about the same age as James today...
Coincidentally, the Grizzlies' semifinal opponent seven years later is still the Warriors, which seems to be God's stubbornness or a problem for the Grizzlies - want to run to a wider world? So, let's start by beating the Warriors, the real Warriors dare to face the Warriors and dare to face their own blood.
In the first game of the series, the Grizzlies had a good chance to end the Warriors, but they missed such an opportunity and drank at home by one point. A great opportunity, everything was in the Grizzlies' favor — Drummond Green was expelled in the second quarter, which left the Warriors with a loss of strength on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends.
The US media ridiculed the game, "In the case of 5 to 8, the Warriors won the G1." ”
Regardless of whether such ridicule is biased or not, the Grizzlies have some advantages in this game at home, why didn't they win the game? The problem is the handling of the key ball. As the team leader, Ja Morant failed to attack the basket twice, which largely led to the Grizzlies' final loss.
First of all, with about 22 seconds left before the end of the game, Morant's layup was blocked by Steve Curry, which made the Grizzlies lose the opportunity to reverse the score; the Grizzlies still had a chance to kill in the last attack, and Morant's layup was put down by Klay Thompson, which also allowed the Grizzlies to lose the game directly. Morant failed to play the ball and looked a little lost on the sidelines.
Although Morant missed the killer goal, his teammates expressed their support for him, and Jaren Jackson Jr. said, "I've seen Morant score that kind of goal 1,000 times, especially in key moments of the game. At any point, I believed in his shot. But now, we need to focus on the next one. ”
Still, Morant's performance was a bit disappointing.
Morant entered the league as a top pick in the 2019 draft, but he is currently in a better position than Zion Williamson. With Morant winning best rookie award and the fastest improving player award this season, his talent and potential are quite exciting.
However, Morant, who is physically talented, also has problems, and the team is better in his absence, which is simply an inexplicable irony of the team leader. By the playoffs, Morant's "Buckle of the Century" was impressive, but his offensive efficiency throughout the series was average.
If Morant wants to be further recognized, he must prove himself on the playoff stage, and the key ball is the best proof of the player's goodness, but unfortunately Morant fell at the door of fate.
(Text/Yan Wujun)