Las Vegas, NV, July 10, 2015 – When you get pasted by a 106-62 tally as the Grizzlies were on Saturday, it’s no surprise to be treated to a long film session at the next practice.
That’s exactly what was waiting for the team at Silverado High School this morning.
“A monster video session” was the most-heard phrase around the gym. Head Coach David Fizdale, who cut his NBA teeth in the video room with the Miami Heat, knows the power of video and clip after clip illustrated the numerous shortcomings exposed by Denver on Saturday.
“Maybe that first game (a blowout win over the D-League Select team on Friday) actually hurt us,” Fizdale said afterward. Friday’s win came so easily that the Grizzlies may have expected a similar result a day later.
So much for expectations. For a group of players, most of whom are getting their first exposure to the NBA game, Saturday was a harsh reminder of what back to back games and talented opponents can do to you if you don’t bring your energy and focus.
But by all accounts, the Grizzlies took the extended video session in the spirit in which it was intended.
If there is one hallmark of the nascent Fizdale regime, it is accountability. Every player is held to account for his role and for the energy that he is to bring to the game. Mistakes are corrected immediately and drills are re-run as often as necessary to get good habits ingrained.
The Grizzlies will play their final preliminary game Monday at 1 pm PT/3 pm CT against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Summer League Tournament begins on Wednesday and guarantees each team at least two games. -- Pete Pranica
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Follow Grizzlies TV Play-By-Play Announcer, Pete Pranica on Twitter @petepranica and on Instagram @petepranica. Stay tuned as Pete shares his perspective on the Grizzlies' performance at 2016 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas right here on Grizzlies.com.