AROUND the NBA:

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

[The Athletic] What we’re hearing about the Grizzlies’ surprising firing of Taylor Jenkins
by Sam Amick, Fred Katz, and Joe Vardon

But when it came to Taylor Jenkins and his future in “Grind City,” the writing was on the wall last summer. And it was written in tears.

In early July, three months after a disastrous, injury-riddled 27-55 season had come to an end, the Grizzlies front office, led by executive vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman, made the unilateral choice to swap out five members of Jenkins’ coaching staff.

While Jenkins consulted with the front-office on the hires for six replacements to his staff, those final interactions between Jenkins and the assistants he was forced to fire, league sources say, would set an uneasy tone for the season to come. As some close to the Grizzlies saw the situation, it was only a matter of time before Jenkins would be gone, too.

Former assistant Tuomas Iisalo, whom the Grizzlies hired before this season, will take over as interim head coach, the team announced. He and fellow newcomer assistant Nate LaRoche were driving forces behind Memphis implementing a renovated, motion offense this season, which lifted the Grizzlies to sixth in points per possession, an adjustment the front office encouraged. On Friday, Memphis also fired LaRoche, as well as Patrick St. Andrews, another assistant hired before the season, a league source confirmed. In the end, it’s clear Jenkins’ diminished organizational support coupled with the Grizzlies’ decline over the past two months did him in.

In large part because of its first-year assistants, Memphis has revamped an offense that formerly struggled in the halfcourt. Once reliant on pick-and-rolls, it now leans on clever cutting and off-ball movement. The Grizzlies set fewer screens than any other NBA team. This philosophical shift was a point of contention as this season progressed.

League sources say Morant, in particular, was upset that last summer the team let go of one assistant with whom he was particularly close, Ahearn, who worked with the two-time All-Star more than anyone on staff. This season, Morant worked most commonly with LaRoche, a former trainer with individual players who was in his first season as an NBA assistant and, like Iisalo, played a pivotal part in implementing the new offensive system.

Morant played his entire career for Jenkins and remained supportive of the coach up to the end, a league source said. Morant did not, however, like the new offense. He has played in just 43 games this season, missing this most recent stretch because of a hamstring injury while also dealing with right shoulder soreness. But when he’s been on the court, according to a league source, Morant has complained about the new scheme, which takes the ball out of his hands and removes the screens he likes to use as a ball handler to make plays.

One league source who has seen Morant work out with the Grizzlies recently said, “Some days he looks like he’s ready to play, and some days he looks like he doesn’t want to be there … because he hates the offense.”

Jenkins had begun to reinstall some of the plays Morant likes, a league source said, reimplementing the pick-and-roll and other plays involving screens Morant could use to break free. If doing so angered Kleiman and played a role in Jenkins’ firing, one could understand, but LaRoche was the driving force behind the Grizzlies going away from ball screens to begin with — and he’s gone too.

[Chicagojk]

I think their biggest problem is that none of their players is a really good creator for others, they are mostly scorers/finishers. That is why their offense is more or less "your turn - my turn" between Booker, Durant and to an extent Beal. All three also prefer 2-point jumpers instead of drives or threes, which is least efficient way to score in todays basketball.

Those are good points.  A little curse on how good of scorers they are that you just need to get them the ball.  But them going one on one with mid range jumpers are not the best way to play now.

[Chicagojk]

Looking at the West standings is really interesting. Although, maybe I am just overlooking how dominant OKC has been and they are the monumental favorite this year in the West. They are better than last year.

After OKC though, I think Denver and LAL are the next teams. It is funny, I completely discount Memphis and Houston. But both may get a home series, but I expect Memphis drops back.

After this I think Houston has been playing real well and you have to always be worried about Golden State. I still think GS may win a series but I would be surprised if they win 2.

I think Denver and Minny are both worse this year. LAL are in good position, but they peak Luka and more importantly Lebron to play heavy minutes and excel like he did before getting hurt. Can he get there.

Then you have the Clippers. They are a real interesting team if Leonard is healthy.

I can see all these teams outside of Houston and Memphis making the conference finals. Some I would be a little surprised about.

Now watch Houston and Memphis go on a run.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1905797762236530880


Detroit is the second team in NBA history to triple their win total from the previous season. Joining Charlotte from 2011-2012 season.

[omahen]

Looking at the West standings is really interesting.  Although, maybe I am just overlooking how dominant OKC has been and they are the monumental favorite this year in the West.  They are better than last year.

After OKC though, I think Denver and LAL are the next teams.  It is funny, I completely discount Memphis and Houston.  But both may get a home series, but I expect Memphis drops back.

After this I think Houston has been playing real well and you have to always be worried about Golden State.  I still think GS may win a series but I would be surprised if they win 2.

I think Denver and Minny are both worse this year.  LAL are in good position, but they peak Luka and more importantly Lebron to play heavy minutes and excel like he did before getting hurt.  Can he get there.

Then you have the Clippers.  They are a real interesting team if Leonard is healthy. 

I can see all these teams outside of Houston and Memphis making the conference finals.  Some I would be a little surprised about.   

Now watch Houston and Memphis go on a run.

West will definitely be a blood bath in every series. I think every team is capable of winning 2 games in any series or at least make most of the games in a series very competitive. Looking from Lakers perspective, I just can't say which team would be easier to play. I also don't believe in Houston and Memphis, but I am far from comfortable if they get one of those two in the first round.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

West will definitely be a blood bath in every series. I think every team is capable of winning 2 games in any series or at least make most of the games in a series very competitive. Looking from Lakers perspective, I just can't say which team would be easier to play. I also don't believe in Houston and Memphis, but I am far from comfortable if they get one of those two in the first round.

I'd rather take my chances with Memphis than Houston. Memphis just fired their coach and are in a free-for-all.  Udoka has totally changed the culture in Houston. You don't defend, you don't play.

[SwisherPrice]

Suns and Kings are done while the Mavs are getting stronger by the day. I don't even think it will come down to the last few games. The Mavs can probably afford to rest some players in the finale to get ready for the play-in 

[Knutsen]

Suns and Kings are done while the Mavs are getting stronger by the day. I don't even think it will come down to the last few games. The Mavs can probably afford to rest some players in the finale to get ready for the play-in 

The stupid thing is we have no chance to not play the Thunder, who are the clear top team in the West and probably the league this year.

Every other team is somehow flawed and beatable, but without Kyrie and any great guard play to break down their perimeter defense and open the floor up we won’t have any chance. It will probably end up being an embarrassing sweep. And that’s if we manage to win two play-in games. 

Looking forward to next year we will be most of the season without Kyrie, but have a talented and deep big man group. So we have a unique opportunity to let a highly talented guard mature in the first months of the season like Lively did last year and maybe be competitive in the playoffs if Kyrie comes back - or otherwise have a great core for a last dance in 2027 if all goes well. 

And we diminish this chance out of false pride, when we would have a much higher chance of winning the lottery than a playoff series against the Thunder?

[Chicagojk]

Suns and Kings are done while the Mavs are getting stronger by the day. I don't even think it will come down to the last few games. The Mavs can probably afford to rest some players in the finale to get ready for the play-in 

Durant out too and will miss time.  That team is done.  Only thing left is who gets # 9.  Mavs or Kings.

[Chicagojk]

zach Lowe joining the Ringer and will have two podcasts per week. Listening to NBA podcasts hits much differnt than it did a two months ago though.

I don't think I have listened to or watched one ESPN show this year. They made a decison that guys like Stephen A (who activaely looks to pick fights with the leagues best players), Kendrick Perkins, and others are the people fans want to hear from. Maybe they get those views, but I will find other avenues to listen to NBA talk.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

zach Lowe joining the Ringer and will have two podcasts per week.  Listening to NBA podcasts hits much differnt than it did a two months ago though. 

I don't think I have listened to or watched one ESPN show this year.  They made a decison that guys like Stephen A (who activaely looks to pick fights with the leagues best players), Kendrick Perkins, and others are the people fans want to hear from.  Maybe they get those views, but I will find other avenues to listen to NBA talk.

I hear ya. I particularly don't care for Perk. I would have much rather listened to Zach Lowe or Jalen Rose than that clown. I guess his "Country Bumpkin" delivery and catchy one liners have endeared him to ESPN.  Not to me.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/1907100833440825801

Suspensions for the Pistons/T-Wolves scuffle.
Detroit got screwed. Divincenzo started it. They gave Stewart
more because of his rep.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6241300...ba-season/

The Thunder are 28-1 vs the East. They are having
one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
With an outside chance of winning 70 games.

[Chicagojk]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6241300...ba-season/

The Thunder are 28-1 vs the East. They are having
one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
With an outside chance of winning 70 games.

Just amazing.   Total domination.   I will be anxious to see if anyone in the West can give them a contest. 

Looking at them this summer, they have a Utah top 10 protected pick from Utah.  They won't get that, but they picked that up by taking Derrick Favors for a year a few years ago.

They have the Sixers pick that is top 6 protcted, so there is a chance they get that.  If it was any other team, I would be rooting hard for the Sixers to lose that pick.   Can't deal with OKC getting another high lottery pick.  

They also have a lottery protected pick from the Heat.  They can also swap their first with the Clippers.

How this works out for them, I am already counting they get a top 3 pick when they have our pick swap.

And to all that, Nikola Topic was their pick last year and he didn't play yet due to injury.  We will see if he was the real deal, but he had a lot of fans prior to his injury.  

Like it or not, If Nico wants to try to compete he needs to build a team that can beat OKC.   We are really deficient at guards and shooting.    That is a killer when you play OKC.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Crazy game Denver/Minny in Dbl OT. Joker with a 61 pt triple double in a 140-139 loss the Minny. Minnesota sweeps the season series and have beat Denver 6 straight times.

[omahen]

West playoff race getting more complicated. Memphis is free falling and GSW already overtook them with Minny and LAC closely behind. Denver on third place only half a game in front of Lakers. Denver plays SAS tonight on a second night of a B2B after playing a 2 OT game and Jokic playing over 50 minutes. LAC against Pelicans are likely to even themselves with Minny and Memphis.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/flybyknite.bsky...smo64dpc2f
https://x.com/statmuse/status/1907305093721993319

Jokic's 61 pts were the most ever in a triple double.
There are no words that can explain this guy's game.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://bsky.app/profile/keerthikau.bsky...snvr3ogc2m


Denver is 0-4 when Jokic scores 50 or more.

[SleepingHero]

Embiid about to undergo another knee surgery and is out for the rest of the year

[omahen]

2OT game against Minny took its toll on Denver who lost agains SAS and fell to fourth place. West race will be very tight until the very end, unless some teams decide they are happier in a lower position due to matchups. If Lakers win tonight, they most likely clinch at least 4th spot.