Grizzlies Star Gets Brutally Honest About Losing to Lakers

Memphis Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. is motivated by the Lakers loss

The Memphis Grizzlies were a solid regular season team last season, but they were severely exposed in the opening round of the playoffs. Eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis looked unprepared for the postseason, even when considering the injuries to Ja Morant and Luke Kennard.

Motivated by this first round exit, Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson jr. recently got brutally honest about how often that Lakers loss is on his mind, telling Grind City Media, "I'm motivated by [the loss to the Lakers] every day. Probably won't ever stop being motivated by that until we get to where we want to go, which is a championship, and we know that. I probably think about it more than I probably should."

The Grizzlies often approached last season with a level of arrogance that they clearly were unable to back up. This is something the team has somewhat acknowledged, with different players and organization members speaking about the team's need to be more mature next season. That improved maturity will have to come both on and off the court, because while Memphis did not do themselves any favors with some of their antics, it was their play on the court that was ultimately not good enough.

While losing always hurts, the Grizzlies are going to use that first round exit to the Lakers as an opportunity to grow and get better.

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