NASHVILLE, Tenn. — NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis coach Tuomas Iisalo told the Grizzlies as they left last spring to be ready to play faster when they returned.Now they see just how fast Iisalo wants the Grizzlies moving.“We all might need inhalers,” two-time All-Star Ja Morant said. ”You know what you need an inhaler for? That tells you everything you need to know.”Iisalo didn’t get the chance over the last nine games of the regular season or through Memphis’ first-round loss to eventual NBA champ Oklahoma City to change up much for the Grizzlies. But they quickly took off his interim tag. The Grizzlies spent the summer retooling the roster around their pair of two-time All-Stars in Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.They traded Desmond Bane for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and four first-round draft picks. They brought back forward Santi Aldama, traded up in the draft for guard Cedric Coward at No. 11 and took guard Javon Small. Memphis brought in veterans like center Jock Landale and guard Ty Jerome.“We’re trying to reach the highest level of the NBA, an NBA that’s changing in 2025 of the style of play and the build of a roster that you’re seeing reach the highest end outcomes,” general manager Zach Kleiman said.Part of that included trusting Iisalo to take over after Memphis frittered away a top-tier seed in the Western Conference. They played their way to the No. 8 seed before being swept by the Thunder.Morant said the Grizzlies spent the offseason working to be ready for what he called the toughest first day of training camp he’s had yet going into his seventh NBA season. The true test starts Oct. 22 when Memphis hosts New Orleans in the season opener.“Do I thin …
