CHICAGO – Perhaps J.B. Bickerstaff set the expectations bar a bit too low.
After waiting five days for Jonas Valanciunas’ immigration paperwork process to finally clear after last week’s trade, Bickerstaff repeatedly tried to temper expectations as he spoke with reporters during his pregame media session before Tuesday’s game against the Spurs.
First, Valanciunas was making his Grizzlies debut after a prolonged delay once he arrived from Toronto.
Secondly, the 26-year-old Lithuanian center was acquired as the key component in the trade that sent Marc Gasol, the most decorated player in Grizzlies franchise history, to the Raptors.