The Grizzlies suffered one of the worst losses in NBA history Thursday night, falling to the Hornets by 61 points.
The Hornets became the 6th team with a 60-point win in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/UXCVactSWg
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 23, 2018
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One would expect the mood in Memphis' locker room to be bitter, but that apparently was not the case. As pointed out by NBC Sports' Dan Feldman, beat writer Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal had some notes on the mood of the players after the game.
In his recap Tillery wrote:
"[Coach J.B.] Bickerstaff nor [Marc] Gasol were in the locker room when it opened for media after the game. Perhaps that was a good thing because several Grizzlies players didn’t appear to take the loss hard given the amount of laughter and joking between them."
Tillery also took to Twitter to share his thoughts.
Frankly, the amount of laughter and lack of hurt displayed by several Grizzlies players in the locker room was just as embarrassing as the loss.
— Ronald Tillery (@CAGrizBeat) March 23, 2018
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So, is it a fair criticism?
On one hand, it's certainly a bad look for a team to be in a positive mood following such a beatdown. But on the other, you can't blame them for not wanting to wallow in the defeat. Sure it's a bad loss — a really bad loss — but that doesn't mean they need to be in tears afterwards.
Several Twitter users offered their takes on the situation, and most didn't appreciate the laughter.
It's pretty clear this thing has gone off the rails now https://t.co/Jp9c1YfJ5L
— Peter Edmiston (@peteredmiston) March 23, 2018
This is sad to be a professional basketball player and in a league people would do anything to be in you laugh and joke after you get embarrassed @memgrizz sad https://t.co/W5dFtYPiFv
— Josh M (@realsports951) March 23, 2018
When did this era turn so soft. Players SHOULD be demoralized after getting fisted by 61. It’s a problem if they’re not https://t.co/MGf91RJ42o
— BrooklynsBeat (@brooklynsbeat) March 23, 2018
Soft. Imagine Kobe laughing and joking about losing by 61. NEVER. https://t.co/LODUajWRsT
— Kaitlyn (@kaitlyn6277) March 23, 2018
