Bickerstaff calls out young Grizzlies following 61-point loss to Hornets
Just as the Memphis Grizzlies couldn't defend the Hornets, their interim head coach couldn't defend his team.
"Tonight we put on a performance that no one should be proud of and you can't defend it," J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters following Thursday's brutal 140-79 loss to Charlotte.
The bench boss called out the young Grizzlies players, who he indicated are auditioning to prove they belong in the pros. He noted everything in the NBA is hard-earned, and those unwilling to make sacrifices won't be in the league for long.
"When you've got a bunch of young guys, they don't understand what it takes to survive in this league. If you want to make it, there's a matter of bounce-back, there's a matter of pride, there's just a matter of mental toughness that you have to show on every given night and every opportunity you get," he said.
Bickerstaff, who coached Charlotte from 2004-07, was disappointed by the lack of fight in his men after the game got away from them early. All-Star Kemba Walker outscored the Grizzlies 17-14 in the first quarter en route to pouring in 46 points - including a franchise-high 10 threes - through three quarters.
| FG (%) | 3FG (%) | FT (%) | REB | AST | STL | TO | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | 30-78 (38.5) | 4-18 (22.2) | 15-21 (71.4) | 38 | 13 | 4 | 19 | 79 |
| CHA | 49-92 (53.3) | 19-40 (47.5) | 23-27 (85.2) | 53 | 25 | 10 | 8 | 140 |
The 61-point loss is the worst for any NBA team in two decades. It's also the largest margin of defeat for Memphis, and of victory for Charlotte.
"They were out there just laughing," Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans said. "It was embarrassing. The whole thing. We've got to just wash this one away and just come back next game and be ready to play."
Perhaps more shocking than the colossal beatdown was the fact the Hornets weren't the only ones laughing. Several Grizzlies players were reportedly chuckling and looking less than hurt in the locker room following the loss, according to The Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery.
The Grizzlies have lost 22 of their last 23 games and own the worst record in the Association (19-53). Their next opportunity to bounce back will be Saturday versus the Los Angeles Lakers.