RealGM

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/279810/Grizzlies-Part-Ways-With-Taylor-Jenkins


https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/why-did-the-grizzlies-fire-taylor-jenkins--now-200616211.html



There have been rumblings of Jenkins job being in the hot seat based on how the Grizzlies were to finish in the playoffs. Even saying playoffs sounds a bit ominous due to how they have been playing post All Star Break. They are currently in fifth place. At the same time, are setting themselves up to fall into the play in if they do not find consistency to win games inside the next two weeks.


https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/279813/Grizzlies-Elevate-Tuomas-Iisalo-To-Interim-Head-Coach

In the meantime, the interim coach for the Grizzlies will be Toumas Iisalo for the remainder of the season.


Time to speculate is on.

I think we wanted to let the guy we brought in from Europe have a short trial as head coach to see what he can do before we start a full coaching search this offseason. I love TJ. He really developed our guys and cared about them. But his adjustments (or lack thereof) and line up choices were rough. Felt like we needed a different kind of coach to take us to the next level. Still, it sucks how we were almost limping into the playoffs most years so he didn't get a fair shot each time. That's the NBA though.

Best of luck Jenkins! He'll be coaching again next season.

Very strange timing, but we were backing into the playoffs about as hard as you could. In the absence of a change, was there any hope that the Grizz would make it out of the first round? If not, then it makes sense to make this move now and see whether the team responds favorably for the playoffs. In other words, there wasn't much to lose by making the move now versus after the playoffs; if anything, you might salvage a playoff run with this core (who are young, but you're now firmly in their window to contend given their ages).

I think some really bad situations were happening behind the scenes and I read Ja was not engaged with the system they're running. That is probably overblown, but the Santi-Bane scuffle might mean he lost the locker room. Whatever the reason, firing your coach before the playoffs has to be a last ditch option. We need some new direction to stop wasting Ja's prime. We have a limited window and these should be peak contender seasons. The front office has made some good decisions on player evaluations, but without the right supporting cast that complements Ja's strengths, we will perennially be in the mid tier. And this is coming from someone who was very excited by JJJ's development and where we were headed. My time unfortunately has been more limited than I would have liked it to be this season (so I am not watching as frequently), but I do feel we need a more consistent roster build in terms of vision/hitting top tier 3&D wings via trade.