Memphis Grizzlies: Should Taylor Jenkins be on the hot seat?

Memphis Grizzlies HC Taylor Jenkins is experimenting with lineups at an awful time

The Memphis Grizzlies’ sudden regression after a red-hot April is not new to this team. Last season, after getting themselves into a position to make a run at a locked-in playoff spot, the Memphis Grizzlies lost 14 of their final 20 games to knock themselves down into a play-in spot, where they would lose to the Trail Blazers.

And right now, there’s no reason to believe that the Grizzlies aren’t headed down the same road. They’re 5-5 in their last ten games, but there’s no reason that they shouldn’t be at least 7-3. Why are they dropping games?

There are a few reasons, but one of the primary ones is simple: Taylor Jenkins is experimenting with new lineups while his team is in a dogfight for a 6-seed in the Western Conference, which would get them into the playoffs.

Why, while losing to a terrible Orlando Magic team in a must-win game, are you running the following lineup?

• Tyus Jones
• John Konchar
• Justise Winslow
• Brandon Clarke
• Jonas Valanciunas

There is nothing that anybody could say to me that would allow that lineup at this stage of the season to make any sense at all. But speaking of strange lineups, why don’t we get into Taylor Jenkins’ most questionable move of the year.

Justise Winslow hasn’t been playing well offensively all season long. Actually, that’s an understatement — he has been arguably the worst offensive player in the NBA since his return from injury. Winslow is shooting 33.9% from the field, 13% from 3-point range, and has 1.9 assists per game to 1.5 turnovers per game. He has shot more airballs from deep than made shots.

Tyus Jones, on the other hand, has been the best backup point guard in the league this year. He has the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the NBA, has been a strong scorer when he needs to be, and brings energy to the team.

Why, Taylor Jenkins, did you suddenly decide to start experimenting with Justise Winslow at the point guard position during the most important stretch of basketball in Memphis in the past half-decade?

It’s clear that Winslow is not suited to play any time at the point guard spot on this team, but Jenkins continues to try and fit a square peg into a round hole. It is infuriating to watch as a fan that wants to see their team reach the playoffs.

But these three things lead to one single question.