Recently appointed Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins — the third head coach of the team in as many years — is hoping to build a culture of unselfishness with his budding young core.
In an interview with Omari Sankofa II of The Athletic, Jenkins emphasized that he wants to set a precedent with the players and the coaching staff.
“We want to be the most competitive, the most unselfish and most together team that we can be,” Jenkins said. It takes time. But if we commit ourselves defensively and play an unselfish style defensively and aggressive, disciplined unit. And then offensively, obviously the NBA is changing. My belief — great pace and space, exciting brand of basketball, team-oriented where the ball is popping and hopping and we’re getting great, quality shots at the rim, the paint and from 3 — that in its totality there can be a pridefulness and excitement behind how we’re going to play.”
The Grizzlies are set to begin a new era with Jenkins as their guiding light. The team fired JB Bickerstaff after a tumultuous season that saw them win only 33 games. They also dealt away Marc Gasol midway through the 2018-19 season, while veteran guard Mike Conley is expected to be moved this summer.
Fortunately for the team, they have an opportunity to start their rebuild quickly. With 2018 fourth overall pick Jaren Jackson Jr. leading their youth revolution, Jenkins has all the chance to instill the unselfish basketball he wants to play. Not to mention that the Grizzlies also have the No.2 pick in this year's draft — one which could very well be Murray State guard Ja Morant.
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