The Head Coach of the Memphis Grizzlies oftentimes is a polarizing figure. Taylor Jenkins has become no different. From Lionel Hollins to present day, numerous coaches dating back to the birth of the Grit and Grind Era to now have drawn the ire of a variety of fans. Support and cynicism oscillate in Memphis month to month, week to week, and even sometimes game to game.
The list of criticized Grizzlies coaches is long, but distinguished. And after Memphis’ most recent loss, Jenkins may be moving up the rankings.
Ignore for a moment the fact that this was supposed to be a “scheduled win” for the Grizzlies. Brooklyn was coming in to Memphis on the second night of a back to back - an overtime game, no less! And also pay no mind to the fact that the Nets are “rebuilding” - they’re relying on strong play from former Grizzlies player Ziaire Williams, for goodness sake!
But strong play is exactly what Memphis saw from Ziaire for Brooklyn on this night. And more of what has plagued the Grizzlies so far this season.
This newsletter could go in a variety of directions from here. For example, want to be mad about defense? Dennis Schroder scored 33 points on 14 shots. The aforementioned Ziaire Williams posted 17 points off the bench. Brooklyn shot 51.2% from the field overall in this game. The defense was BAD.
Maybe the turnovers have you fired up. Lost possessions mean lost opportunities to score, and Memphis’ 22 turnovers led to 31 Brooklyn points. So more chances for the opponent, less for you and yours. That’s also not great!
But lets take some time trying to decipher the very confusing rotation decisions of Jenkins in this contest. For that is where a majority of the blame lies. Even with the losses of Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart due to injury (which of course doesn’t help) there were some...interesting choices made.
For example - the Grizzlies start off the 4th quarter down just one point. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. - you know, the two best players on the team - play the first 105 seconds of the final frame together. Then, instead of spurts of breaks to keep them together as much as possible, they didn’t play together again for about six minutes.
With four minutes left, Ja and Jaren were finally back on court as a duo. By that point, Memphis was down 12.
It’s not just those two needing to play more together. They, and other Grizzlies, must play MORE. Jaren had his way with the Nets - 30 points on 12 shots! - and yet only logged 28 minutes. Zach Edey was an excellent 6-9 from the field in the 1st half, then inexplicably didn’t take another shot in the 2nd half and only logged 18 total minutes in the game.
Brandon Clarke was 5-5 from the floor - only 20 minutes. Jake LaRavia played more. As did Jaylen Wells. That most games should not be the case.
There’s a lot scary with Memphis this Halloween. But the choices being made with how these players are being deployed current may be the spookiest thing spooking these Grizzlies.
