Report: Notable, unnamed Grizzlies player fed up with Jeff Green
There's a nasty bug sweeping the NBA in 2016, and it isn't bringing dry coughs or high-temperature fevers - its symptom is tension behind closed doors.
After teammates on the Miami Heat and the New Orleans Pelicans showed signs of frustration with one another earlier this week, the Memphis Grizzlies seem to be infected with the same problem as forward Jeff Green has drawn the ire of his own colleagues, reports Ron Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.
"I was told, point blank, by a guy in that locker room who matters that Jeff doesn't care," Tillery said on his podcast Wednesday.
It doesn't take much research to find numbers that could corroborate that claim.
Green finished Tuesday's loss against the Houston Rockets with three points and two assists, failing to register a single rebound or field goal; his points all came from the free-throw line.
The 29-year-old also didn't play a minute in the second half, finding himself benched by coach Dave Joerger.
Joerger on not playing Jeff Green in 2nd half "That’s my decision for various reasons that I’m not going to go into. It wasn’t disciplinary"
— Ronald Tillery (@CAGrizBeat) January 13, 2016
Two nights prior, Green had a more well-rounded effort, but still only finished with four points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 31:20 minutes against his former employers, the Boston Celtics - production that seems to have really annoyed an influential member of the Grizzlies.
"And I know of a guy who matters in that locker room that wanted to wring his neck (Tuesday) night," Tillery added.