The Memphis Grizzlies are the NBA's version of the A-Team, a crack commando unit sent to prison for refusing to play up-tempo and shoot more threes. These men promptly escaped the maximum security stockade of the Western Conference to become an underground favorite in the NBA. Today, still wanted by the analytics crowd, they survive as soldiers of fortune.
The Memphis Grizzlies have a play called ‘What The F***?’ because WTF not?
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So how do they stay ahead of the curve by playing against the grain? By finding unconventional ways to exploit the system, like this:
MEM coach Dave Joerger yells "What The F—!" & we think he’s being vulgar but, he’s just calling out a play. It’s really called WTF, y'all
— Candace Buckner (@CandaceDBuckner) October 29, 2015 There’s a subtle brilliance here, because Dave Joerger has protection on two different fronts. Opposing players will assume he’s yelling at his players or the referees for a bad decision, and referees can’t give him a technical because he’s calling a play. You have to love it when a Grizzlies plan comes together.
