Grizzlies

The NBA's era of simmering grudges appeared to be long gone. But a thrilling young Memphis team have an issue with everyone, from opponents to fans.

[maybe the most exciting player in the game](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/dec/31/ja-morant-memphis-grizzlies-star-zion-williamson) not named Giannis Antetokounmpo. And while the optics of NBA players getting into it with paying customers surely gave the league office unwelcome flashbacks to the [Malice at the Palace](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/aug/10/untold-malice-at-the-palace-pistons-pacers-documentary), say this much for the Grizzlies: at least the fight they picked was with literally the biggest fan in the joint. It’s effectively who the team has been since moving from Vancouver in the early-aughts and shaking off all that Canada Nice (not even the Ontario-born Brooks, aka Memphis Bill Laimbeer, hews to the type). [a bully’s bully](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qARggvqfcD4), defensive nuisance Tony Allen kicked Chris Paul [in the head](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1856390-tony-allen-kicks-chris-paul-in-the-face-gets-ejected) and center Marc Gasol wouldn’t hesitate to elbow his taller older brother in [the](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyzwYsjfau0) [face](https://www.facebook.com/the.buzz.nba/videos/mom-he-hit-memarc-gasol-elbows-pau-gasol-in-the-face-drives-to-the-basket-and-ma/1344292999011473/). But it’s LA.” The headlines scolded the Grizzlies for “ [Wearing out Their Welcome](https://www.si.com/nba/2023/02/03/memphis-grizzlies-dillon-brooks-donovan-mitchell-fight)” and generally being “ [Annoying](http://www.thebiglead.com/posts/memphis-grizzlies-most-hated-nba-team-01grpg5qvzaj)”. What’s more, Sharpe, who was briefly removed from his seat, was forced to apologize [on air](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO8RkA4laFw) for his part in the war of words as the Grizzlies thumped their chests again. [a recent podcast interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lp5ZElqEmU), “they would’ve fined me for not showing up.”) Months earlier the Grizzlies had brought the Warriors’ season to an end in the league’s play-in round. [Shannon Sharpe](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/21/shannon-sharpe-memphis-grizzlies-ja-morant-father-los-angeles-lakers), the hulking NFL great turned TV sports debater and LeBron James fan club president. Asked to name the Western Conference teams posing an obstacle to Memphis’s title hopes, Morant quipped: “I’m fine in the West.” (Never mind the matter of reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets atop the conference table.) Recently, Steph Curry revealed the crazy talk he hears from Brooks when they’re matched against each other – stuff like, “We’re already a dynasty.” (Never mind last year’s playoff result.) On the road earlier this year against the Lakers, the Grizzlies were determined to be the ones to start it and finish it with fans. Send him back to the Warriors and let him do his thing over there.” [barely play defense](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/feb/03/nba-offensive-revolution-scoring-defense) against one another.