Shockwaves in the NBA: Memphis Grizzlies Fire Winningest Coach Taylor Jenkins
The Unexpected Move
The NBA was hit with a curveball no one saw coming: The Memphis Grizzlies, comfortably in the Western Conference playoff race, fired head coach Taylor Jenkins. This sudden decision sent shockwaves through the league, leaving players, coaches, and fans stunned. Jenkins was not just any coach; he was the winningest coach in franchise history, a pivotal figure in transforming the Grizzlies into a legitimate contender.
The Reaction
The news broke with an immediate ripple effect. Grizzlies players were caught off guard, many learning about it through social media just like fans. Ja Morant
, the face of the franchise, expressed his surprise with just two words: Oh sh–.
His reaction summed up the disbelief felt across the NBA.
Ja was surprised,
Ja loves him.
-A Team Source
The Background
The Grizzlies were sitting at 44-29, tied with the Lakers for the fifth-best record in the Western Conference. However, a deeper dive into their recent performances revealed cracks in the foundation. The team had lost five of its last seven games and had slipped from the second seed to fifth after a stinker of a stretch
.
A sign of woe: The Grizzlies had slipped 11-20 against teams battling .500 and had just been run-and-gunned 118.9 points for per 100 possessions in the nineteen games since the All Star break.
The Rationale for a Change
Internal Issues: Zac Edey, a 7-foot-4 rookie, saw his starts cut to trio; Despite the projections he was hurt by off the bench play
-
On court spat: The Grizzlies had to separate Guatemalanite, Desmond Bane and Spaniard, Santi Aldama from the bench after a loss to the Jazz.
- The locker room was a shadow of itself and internal dissensions were rife.
-
The player, Ja Morant said of his 30 game injured status, ”
I shouldn’t have played.
“After a tough loss to the Thunder.
The Blame Game
Suitors were having a free run to the stripe. Zach (Kleiman) blamed Taylor. Taylor blamed Zach. No one takes accountability for absolutely anything,
a league source said. Team morale was low with two rookies in play.
The Interim Coach
Jenkins has been fired and with just nine games left and a must win streak under his watch, Memphis haveappointed Tuomas Iisalo as the new head coach of the team
The Future of the Team
The Grizzlies also look on ahead of taking on an upcoming string of crucial matches, which may well define their runway to the playoffs. If the decision doesn’t fizzle when it hits the vitriolic grindstone of the Playoff Trail the franchise will have to live with it; leave KZ sports to take charge