Memphis Grizzlies: Should Taylor Jenkins be on the hot seat?
Should Memphis Grizzlies HC Taylor Jenkins be on the hot seat?
Logically speaking, I don’t think Taylor Jenkins should be on the hot seat yet, but small issues like these going unfixed could lead to his ultimate demise down the road. He’s on his way there with losses like this, which seem too predictable.
As of right now, it doesn’t appear as though he’s interested in winning basketball games. That seems fine at a first glance, as this team is extremely young and will look to compete in future years, but there should be a lot of stress on creating a competitive environment on this team.
Winning habits are real and will have an impact on how this team can compete in important matchups. Right now, this team could not be less prepared for late-game situations. Don’t believe for a second that this team’s late-game disappointments won’t translate to their ability in clutch-time in a few years.
I will not claim to know more than an NBA head coach, but the fact any fan can spot these problems is the primary reason why I believe Jenkins could be in trouble as a result of this in the future.
How many late-game free throws do you have to miss before you dedicate time each practice toward fixing those issues?
How many times do you have to see Ja Morant isolation plays fail before you go back to your previously successful offense late in these close games?
Why are you experimenting with lineups during the most important stretch of basketball in your career?
Jenkins should not be on the hot seat yet, but if these issues continue into next season, that conversation has to start somewhere. Otherwise, Memphis will always be a team that will be knocked out before they can compete for an NBA championship.
Next. Grizzlies will try to avoid a repeat of 2019-20 finish. dark
Heck, if the Grizzlies have a similar collapse as they did at the end of the 2019-20 season, the conversation should start right there. There is no reason that they shouldn’t be winning a majority of their games at the end of the 2021 regular season, which gives them the easiest schedule in the league to finish out the year.