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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Awards Candidates

By AJ Salah

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Wells Fargo Center on February 7, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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Coach of the Year

Taylor Jenkins is yet further evidence of the emerging NBA coaching evolution that hiring from a system is probably better than hiring a name.

Jenkins was a standout his first year. A disciple of Mike Budenholzer, who himself was bred by the Gregg Popovich Spurs, the Grizz bench boss is continuing a damn impressive coaching lineage.

Jenkins maximized lineups that seemed awkward on-paper and got Memphis to play far beyond expectation. He accomplished this with a team of mostly-youngsters who had scarcely played together before, himself as a rookie head coach.

Memphis’ preseason Over/Under was set at 27.5 wins; they sit at 32. They were one of just two teams (the Oklahoma City Thunder being the other) to already hit the Over despite missing 20% of the regular season.

Not surprisingly, Thunder coach Billy Donovan is one of the candidates Jenkins will be battling for a finalist spot with. Unfortunately for them, Twitter rhetoric and announced ballots both point to Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse having COY locked up.

Nurse would be a deserving winner of an award that often seems arbitrary. Behind him, Jenkins will be in a scrum, likely closest with Donovan, Milwaukee’s Mike Budenholzer, and Dallas’ Rick Carlisle.

If pedigree influences voters, Jenkins could be shut out. But narrative, hype and surprise factor work in his favor. Don’t be surprised if he’s a finalist.

CONFIDENCE INDEX
Get votes: 100%
Be finalist: 55%
Win award: 5%

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