Taylor Jenkins, Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies may not be one of the worst teams in the NBA but they’ve surely played like one over the first few weeks of the season. Most of that can be attributed to the Ja Morant suspension but there could be something deeper going on with the Grizzlies. And if there is, one of the first culprits is going to be head coach Taylor Jenkins. This is Jenkins’ fifth season with the Grizzlies and there’s a chance he may have already peaked with this core.
After winning 56 games two seasons ago, the Grizzlies took a bit of a step back last year in which they only won 51 games and lost in the first round of the playoffs. This season, they’ve gotten off to an embarrassing 2-9 start. In fairness, I don’t think we can truly judge Jenkins until Morant returns from suspension, but the early returns are not good.
Hopefully, the Grizzlies are just a team that misses their best player. If they can’t figure out how to turn it around by the midway point of the season, don’t be shocked if they decide to make a coaching change.