The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the NBA world on Friday by firing Taylor Jenkins. Jenkins was the winningest coach in the history of the franchise and was leading the Grizzlies to another solid year in the crowded Western Conference. This decision came with only nine games left in the regular season, right as the Grizzlies were hoping to solidify their playoff positioning and improve on past postseason shortcomings. The shocking nature of Jenkins’ firing puts the Grizzlies under the microscope right before the most important stretch of their season. The drama around firing their coach with only a few games left is putting the Memphis Grizzlies’ playoff dreams at risk in a major way.
Franchise Drama Puts Grizzlies Playoff Hopes At Risk
Grizzlies Fire Head Coach Taylor Jenkins
During his time with the Grizzlies, Jenkins set the franchise record for coaching wins with a 250-214 record and led the team to three playoff appearances. This season, the Grizzlies have been playing solid basketball on both ends of the floor. They rank sixth in offensive performance, 11th in defensive efficiency, and fourth in net rating at the time of his departure.
The timing and circumstances surrounding Jenkins’ firing have many around the NBA confused. With the playoffs looming and the team in a solid position, the decision to part ways with a successful coach this late in the season is highly unusual. There is speculation that there may have been some behind-the-scenes issues. Regardless, this major decision right before the most important stretch of the season puts the Grizzlies in a tough position.
Western Conference Playoff Picture
The Grizzlies are currently the fifth seed in the West after going 5-5 in their last ten games. They have a two-game lead over the sixth and seventh seeded Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors (8-2 and 7-3 in their last ten respectively). At one point this season, the Grizzlies had the second-best record in the conference, so their recent slide has many worried about their postseason positioning.
Only two and a half games separate the Grizzlies from the eighth seed. After such a solid season, despite dealing with injuries, this is not an ideal place to be right as you fire your head coach.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Playoff Hopes
The Grizzlies were hoping to make some noise in the playoffs this season. With the fourth best net rating in the league, many would consider the Grizzlies one of the many title contenders. However, their coaching has often been a big part of their success. Their best player, Ja Morant, has missed significant portions of almost every season of his career, and Jenkins has helped the Grizzlies’ supporting cast keep the team competitive.
Morant is dealing with another injury at the moment, missing the team’s last six games. Now, the team is without its head coach to help keep things stable. If they slip into the Play-In Tournament portion of the standings, they are at risk of missing the playoffs completely. Nobody wants to face Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks or Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in a Play-In Tournament game. Unfortunately, that may be what is waiting for the Grizzlies if the firing of Jenkins causes more instability and losses.
Photo credit: © Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
