Grizzlies lose to Lakers, 114-98

November 7, 7:54 AMMemphis Grizzlies ExaminerJohn Hoffman

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Kobe Bryant (24) slams home two of his 41 points over Grizzlies guard O. J. Mayo.

AP Photo/Lori Shepler

Friday night, Kobe Bryant became the third player this season to score 40 or more points against the Grizzlies, as the Lakers sent Memphis to its fourth straight loss, 114-98. Bryant scored 25 of his 41 points in the second half, as the Grizzlies once again played poor defense. Bryant became the youngest player ever to reach 24,000 points in an NBA career, at the age of 31.

Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley was in L. A. for the game, and is reportedly having a series of meetings today (Saturday) with coaches, management, and players in an effort to get the team on track. Those meetings reportedly include an individual meeting with Iverson, who has publicly complained about his role with the team. Before Friday night’s game, Iverson told reporters he is done talking about his individual situation: “The Allen Iverson people that love Allen Iverson take it one way, and the anti-Allen Iverson people take it another way. It’s a big debate about something that doesn’t mean anything.”

Note that Iverson is not backing off his earlier complaints, just saying he no longer wants to talk about them publicly. Against the Lakers, Iverson played 21 minutes and scored eight points.

Rudy Gay led the losing cause with 22 points, while Zach Randolph added 21 points and 15 rebounds. Again, offense was not the problem. Bryant’s 25 second half points were just the leading indicator of severely lacking defense from the Grizzlies, virtually across the board. This, despite all the talk about Iverson, is the biggest issue the Grizzlies face trying to become a good team.

The season-opening road trip concludes tonight in Los Angeles, with a 9:30pm game against the Clippers. The Grizzlies are back home Tuesday night, to host the Portland Trailblazers.

Another Grizz note: Discussions continue between the Grizzlies and Hall-of-Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar about a possible consulting relationship under which he would work with Grizzlies centers. Marc Gasol, rookie Hasheem Thabeet, and Hamed Haddadi all had dinner with Abdul-Jabbar last month. Grizz management says they’d like to have Abdul-Jabbar, and he would like to work with them. The sticking point is apparently how much time he can give the team, given his other commitments. Abdul-Jabbar is currently under contract with the Lakers, and is discussing a role with the Grizzlies with the Lakers’ permission.