Taylor Jenkins Articles - Page 3

Kevin Durant’s pursuit of 30,000 points has eyes on him from every direction. Now, Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins might be on the receiving end before Tuesday’s game. However, he gave the Suns’ star his praise and flowers before Tuesday’s game. “I don’t know if there’s enough time to list off all the superlatives,” […]

NBA Hall of Famers are hyping the Memphis Grizzlies as potential Western Conference monsters now that the roster is fully healthy. That praise tracks with EVP/GM Zach Kleiman’s decision to stand relatively pat at the trade deadline, signaling a clear bet on the in-house All-Stars and a deep supporting cast. However, while Ja Morant remains […]

Preferred basketball styles, strategies, and NBA player prototypes have been in flux since before the introduction of the three-point line. A new trend has emerged this season as Taylor Jenkins and the muscled-up Memphis Grizzlies are going against the pick-and-roll grain. Why? Well, using Santi Aldama as a 6-foot-9 Swiss Army knife to support Jaren […]

The Memphis Grizzlies have flown somewhat under the radar this season, but they currently find themselves in second place in the Western Conference at 35-17. Despite dealing with plenty of injuries over the course of the season, including to star point guard Ja Morant, Taylor Jenkins has this group playing some very good basketball on […]

Supermax contracts are one of the NBA’s most prized accomplishments, reserved for players who meet specific criteria, including All-NBA selections. Even the notion of a supermax deal isn’t just about money; it’s a testament to a player’s elite status. Taylor Jenkins believes that honor is a good bet for Beale Street’s most dominant big man. […]

While the NBA’s Western Conference standings may be flattering, fans should not be deceived: The Memphis Grizzlies are a work in progress going into the NBA All-Star break. Injuries have wrecked the planned rotations since training camp but this 12-deep squad has persevered despite juggling Ja Morant’s sporadic absences. The All-Star point guard has missed […]

The muscled-up Memphis Grizzlies have transformed the offense around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. this season. Incorporating Zach Edey into the Grizzlies locker room was always going to take some time. Veering away from the traditional point-guard-center pick-and-roll action that dominates the modern NBA created an extra layer to the challenge. However, after a […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are still learning how to flex their muscles amid a largely successful bounce-back season. Although Ja Morant is the headlining name on the FedEx Forum marquee, a significant offensive boost must be credited to Jaren Jackson Jr.’s evolution into a formidable playmaker. Taylor Jenkins has expanded Jackson Jr.’s role this year, diversifying […]

As the NBA Trade Deadline drama winds to a close, Ja Morant’s injury-juggling Memphis Grizzlies are already reaping the benefit from a big roster upgrade that required no negotiating. GG Jackson’s return has provided a huge boost to the team’s rotations amid a rough regular season run. It is undeniable after spending time around the […]

Necessity is the mother of all invention, even on the basketball court. Getting around a notoriously unfriendly Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs was going to require a group effort from Ja Morant’s injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies when it came to chopping down the presumptive NBA Defensive Player of the Year winner. Taylor Jenkins has continually found […]

There have been some non-NBA Trade Deadline frustrations bubbling up around the FedEx Forum lately. Ja Morant (shoulder), still trying to find a rhythm against top competition as the NBA All-Star break approaches, has been sidelined recently with sporadic injuries. The All-World engine that drives the relentless Memphis Grizzlies offense sent the league a reminder […]

The Memphis Grizzlies secured a narrow 120-119 victory over the Houston Rockets on Thursday night, overcoming a controversial officiating decision in the final seconds that nearly altered the outcome. With just less than five seconds remaining, rookie Jaylen Wells was on a fast break, appearing to have a clear path to the basket that would […]

Things got crazy at the end of the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets game, where the referees thought that head coach Taylor Jenkins called a timeout, but he actually didn’t. Fred VanVleet missed a three-pointer with the Rockets leading by one, with 15 seconds left on the clock, Jaylen Wells grabbed the rebound and was […]

The Memphis Grizzlies (32-16) gutted out a tremendous victory versus the visiting Houston Rockets on Thursday, 120-119, sparing the NBA a ton of unwanted publicity. Before the Grizz officially gained a game on the second-place squad in the West, hoops fans witnessed an epic officiating gaffe. After Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet misfired on a […]

The NBA Trade Deadline is fast approaching and almost every team in a top-six spot is looking for talent upgrades. However, Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant’s ever-evolving Memphis Grizzlies got a big boost to the rotations without giving up anything but time. GG Jackson needed a few months to rehab a foot surgery but is […]

First-year employees must fight for recognition in any sport or industry. Thankfully for the accept-no-excuses Memphis Grizzlies, Jaylen Wells is carving out his niche with his defensive tenacity and an emerging offensive flair. While dynamic defense has been his calling card, the second-round pick’s offensive game is showing signs of significant growth, influenced by the […]

Steph Curry’s three-point barrages broke down barriers in an NBA once dominated by seven-footers and slam dunks. However, the ebb and flow of varying strategies have the high-standard, no-excuses Memphis Grizzlies (31-16) betting big on the towering duo of Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. The small sample size synergy between these two big men […]

In the heart of the NBA season, when trade rumors flit about the gossiping group chats like leaves in the wind, the title-focused Memphis Grizzlies are trying to keep blinders on. Head coach Taylor Jenkins has managed to mostly keep his team’s eyes on the prize: victories and development, collectively and individually. However, with the […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are still identifying growth areas at the midway point of the 2024-25 NBA season. Taylor Jenkins and company took one on the chin in a 143-106 loss while visiting the New York Knicks though. Madison Square Garden has seen some one-sided fights before, but this was the kind of defeat that leaves […]

All wins are equal in the standings but that is not the case in most NBA locker rooms. Some games, some wins, just matter more than others. There are off nights when things can get ugly, usually with a contender blowing out an also-ran. That script almost got flipped in the FexEx Forum though. Ja […]

NBA fans enjoy fiddling around with the various trade machines available. However, there are rare occasions when the best midseason additions are already sitting on the bench. The Memphis Grizzlies are sitting on a success recipe already but Taylor Jenkins is about to have another 6-foot-9, 225-pound phenom available. Sitting in third place and riding […]

The NBA Playoffs picture is starting to come into focus as most teams approach the midway point of their respective seasons. Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane are in a decent position but the Memphis Grizzlies are still educating Zach Edey on what is required to win consistently. Thankfully, Taylor Jenkins will get […]

Finding ways to incorporate new faces into any team or organization is a challenge. New situations can be daunting in any industry. Thankfully, Ja Morant’s “funky” Memphis Grizzlies have a leadership structure in place that has boosted rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells over the first 40 games. Taylor Jenkins has created a culture where […]

The reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty have added to their coaching staff, bringing in former Memphis Grizzlies assistant Sonia Raman. Raman will join Zach O’Brien and Olaf Lange on Sandy Brondello’s staff, replacing Roneeka Hodges, who is now with the Connecticut Sun. The Grizzlies hired Raman in 2020 and her duties as an assistant […]

Some regular season losses sting a bit more in professional sports, even in the NBA’s 82-game slog. It was hard to ignore how Taylor Jenkins used one-word answers after the Memphis Grizzlies lost to Alperen Sengun’s Houston Rockets on January 9. Thankfully, the Grizzlies (25-14) responded well after a baffling loss to the Rockets (25-12) […]

Well, Taylor Jenkins said the Memphis Grizzlies (24-14) would be getting funky midway through the 2024-25 NBA season. A lineup of Jaylen Wells, Luke Kennard, Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, and Jay Huff was featured in the fourth quarter of a 119-115 home loss to the Houston Rockets (25-12). Jenkins gave uncharacteristic one-word answers after the […]

Getting through the NBA’s 82-game slog requires a solid roster, luck, and a bit of rotational savvy. The Memphis Grizzlies (24-13) are getting funky but still find themselves in a battle for second place in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, Ja Morant (shoulder), Desmond Bane (ankle), Jaren Jackson Jr. (thigh), and Santi Aldama (ankle) are questionable […]

Approximately 45% of the NBA season is in the books and the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies (24-13) are in a dogfight for second place in the Western Conference. Taylor Jenkins has patched together rotations despite Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey missing a combined 46 games. The lack of star power has required […]

The Memphis Grizzlies know they have a problem as the team is second-worst in coughing up turnovers at 17.3 per game. Perhaps that flaw should not be very surprising though. Ja Morant (shoulder) has been unavailable to lead the offense for almost half of the season and the starting lineup usually includes two rookies. Sure, […]

Every team has weak points. The goal is to not let them become fatal characteristics. Problems arise when those flaws get accentuated in clutch moments. Identifying how to negate issues before being exposed is a job for Taylor Jenkins but Ja Morant’s captivating yet inconsistent Memphis Grizzlies now know the problem: Turnovers. Desmond Bane (eight […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are not getting much NBA All-Star respect but that did not seem to stoke up a fire before facing the Sacramento Kings. Taylor Jenkins admitted the Grizzlies cannot grumble about a loss to the Kings despite an unusually wild Jaren Jackson Jr. fourth-quarter stat. After a flawless first three quarters, the officials […]

Upsets happen in every sport but more often than not the road team missing an All-Star is going to fall short. These Memphis Grizzlies do not go gently into that good night regardless of circumstance and a win over the Phoenix Suns is the latest example. In fact, the first two road games of the […]

Some wins just cost more in the long run and Ja Morant’s captivating Memphis Grizzlies paid a price in a 132-124 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Unfortunately, Morant went down with a shoulder injury midway through the third quarter and could be unavailable for at least a few games. Not only does that throw […]

The NBA season is now one-third of the way complete with the lines between contenders, pretenders, and also-rans becoming clearer by the day. Some games are expected to be far more competitive than others but individual matchups in blowouts are still worth watching. Zach Edey versus Yves Missi is exactly the kind of clash that […]

Coaches love to talk about how offense wins games, but defense wins championships. By that metric, Ja Morant’s highly entertaining Memphis Grizzlies have some work to do, and they know it. Taylor Jenkins appreciated the offensive explosion in a 155-126 victory over the Toronto Raptors. However, the franchise’s all-time wins leader was not happy with […]

Rookies have a hard time adjusting to any business or industry. Basketball’s learning curve is just a bit more steep but the captivating Memphis Grizzlies (20-10) have been giving their first-year players room to grow. Both Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells are regularly starting games next to Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. […]

Defense often takes a backseat to flashy offensive plays but Ja Morant’s captivating Memphis Grizzlies have a rookie giving every All-Star a headache. Jaylen Wells has been a quick fan favorite thanks to some relentless effort on the less glamorous side of the hardwood. Taylor Jenkins has every reason to trust the second-rounder consistently corralling […]

The NBA’s list of the most popular players included the usual suspects known for highlight dunks, halfcourt threes, and hard-to-believe outlet passes. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) topped the league’s most recent most-viewed player charts. The announcement gave the Memphis Grizzlies another reason to brag about Ja Morant as their All-World star was close behind […]

Fans and media personalities have spent too many hours trying to pinpoint exactly why NBA television broadcast ratings are declining. Even stars on the level of LeBron James have shared varying opinions on playstyles, criticisms of the All-Star Game format, and how to fix the game. However, Taylor Jenkins and Ja Morant’s extremely salty Memphis […]