The first team with internal conflicts in the new season! Discord between coach and star, the leader has already started to give up!

About 10 games into the new season, which team’s performance has let you down the most?

The Nets, Wizards, or Pacers? No, their poor play was anticipated.

The Pelicans? Mainly because Zion often calls in sick, which is indeed unavoidable.

The Mavericks? The Clippers? It seems so.

But since those two teams have been widely discussed and “the ship sinking” has become the main topic these days, we’ll stay out of it.

Another Western Conference team’s performance has also disappointed fans.

Moreover, they are currently a hot candidate to make the first big trade...

That’s right, the Grizzlies.

In their last six games, they lost five. Their only win came thanks to the Western Conference’s fellow struggler, the Mavericks, who offered them some winter warmth.

We are definitely not saying this just because the Grizzlies lost to the Thunder today.

You’ll notice their problem isn’t losing to the defending champions; besides the Trail Blazers, who hasn’t lost to the Thunder this season?

The Grizzlies’ team spirit has fallen apart.

The “King of Guns” seems to have lost his passion for basketball and no longer has that unbeatable fighting spirit.

Today’s poor performance, shooting 3 for 18, is just a snapshot.

In the past five games, Morant averaged 33.1 minutes, scoring 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 27.6% and three-point percentage of 10.1%, while the Grizzlies went 1-4.

He was also suspended for one game during this period.

Is Morant really playing at this level? Impossible.

So why such a decline? The conflict with the head coach is out in the open.

After losing to the Lakers, Morant shot 3 for 14 for just 8 points, scored zero in the second half, and refused to participate in tactical discussions during timeouts.

To all questions, he replied, “Ask the coaching staff,” and said, “According to them, I shouldn’t even be playing.”

“Did you have any issues today?” — “Ask the coaching staff.”

“Is there anything you think you could have done differently?” — “Ask the coaching staff.”

“You didn’t seem as energetic as before.” — “Ask the coaching staff.”

“Do you think you should play more?” — “Ask the coach if I should.”

“Besides asking the coach, what do you think you could improve to get better results?” — “According to them, I shouldn’t be on the court.”

“Are you physically okay?” — “I’m fine.”

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff publicly questioned Morant’s leadership and effort, and Morant responded with a disrespectful tone, which the team deemed detrimental to team interests, resulting in a one-game suspension.

There’s talk in the media about “future basketball,” with some blaming Bickerstaff’s so-called “future basketball” system for Morant’s dissatisfaction...

“Future basketball” is hard to define or explain; we won’t get into such complexities.

In short, the Grizzlies’ problem is a conflict between coach and star.

In the game against the Rockets, Durant directly confronted Morant face-to-face, saying:

“Your kid doesn’t want to be here at all. We all know this is the last weekend; enjoy it.”

...

Looking back at NBA history, when core players clash with coaches, any reconciliation is usually temporary, and very few truly stay together long-term.

For the Grizzlies, a choice must be made between Morant and Bickerstaff.

The “King of Guns” does not accept this coach, nor agrees with his personnel decisions or tactical plans.

So he simply gives up.

This fits his personality perfectly.

Over the years, he has had quite a few issues.

If his body is fine but he’s playing like this, then the problem must be internal.

From a hindsight perspective, this is our guess.

J.B. Bickerstaff is a Finnish basketball coach who previously coached Crailsheim Merlins, Telekom Baskets Bonn, and Paris Basketball in Europe, leading teams to FIBA Champions League and Europe Cup titles.

He became the Grizzlies’ interim head coach in March 2025, replacing Taylor Jenkins, and was promoted to full-time head coach in May the same year.

Historically, European coaches have struggled to manage NBA teams successfully.

Cultural differences and basketball philosophies vary greatly.

If Bickerstaff constantly emphasizes ball sharing, off-ball movement, and team offense while limiting star players’ isolation plays...

Can Morant tolerate that? Expecting him to give his all for a European coach? He’d be lucky not to throw a tantrum.

“Lose enough games, and the coach gets fired.”

So it’s normal for a rookie coach managing the Grizzlies to face internal strife.

Morant’s five-year max contract worth over $197 million still has three years left, with salaries of $39.45 million, $42.17 million, and $44.89 million each season.

Next, let’s see what choice the Grizzlies make...

As for “Di Ge,” he has a plan:

Let Bickerstaff and Coach Lu swap teams...