In a surprising move, the Memphis Grizzlies decided to part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins, just a few games before the playoffs.
Points this season
Memphis Grizzlies
NBA
This is a rare occurrence in the NBA, as teams usually wait until the offseason to make such a significant change.
The timing of the move is especially puzzling given that the Grizzlies are sitting comfortably in the Top 5 of the Western Conference.
However, Memphis' decision to make this change now is likely motivated by a more strategic reason than meets the eye.
According to sources close to the situation, Tuomas Iisalo, who had been with Memphis as an assistant coach, was receiving interest from other NBA teams for a head coaching position.
The Grizzlies, determined not to lose one of the brightest young coaching minds in basketball, made the decision to promote Iisalo to head coach, ensuring he stayed in Memphis long-term.
This move, while unexpected, makes perfect sense when considering Iisalo's potential and the impact he has already had on the team.
The decline under Taylor Jenkins
While the Grizzlies have been a competitive team throughout the season, there have been persistent issues that have raised questions about their direction.
Despite sitting near the top of the Western Conference standings, Memphis struggled in key areas, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
One glaring number is their performance against teams with winning records: since February 2nd, the Grizzlies have only managed to win one game against teams with a record over .500.
Desmond Bane Taylor Jenkins
Desmond Bane Taylor Jenkins
Credit AP - Scanpix
Overall, they hold an 11-20 record in such matchups, the worst among the top nine seeds in the West.
These struggles intensified after the All-Star break, as Memphis, which was once comfortably sitting as the No. 2 seed, stumbled to an 8-11 record, dropping to No. 5 in the standings.
Memphis Grizzlies / Schedule
While the Grizzlies have remained competitive, their lack of adjustments, particularly defensively, left many questioning whether Jenkins was the right fit to guide them through the tough postseason stretch.
Defensive issues and their impact
Defensive struggles have been a significant issue for the Grizzlies all season, and they are among the league's worst in several key defensive metrics.
One of the most telling stats is opponent points per game. Memphis ranks 25th in the NBA, allowing 117.1 points per game.
Only five teams have a worse mark, and most of them are either tanking or sitting at the bottom of their conferences. This defensive inefficiency is particularly concerning for a team that has playoff aspirations.
One of the most alarming issues has been Memphis' defense against the three-point shot.
The Grizzlies give up 42.5 points per game from beyond the arc, one of the worst marks in the league.
This number highlights a fundamental flaw in Memphis' defensive structure, as they tend to over-help and collapse into the paint, leaving opposing shooters wide open on the perimeter.
In today's NBA, where three-point shooting is a game-changer, this defensive approach has been a major liability.
Offensive struggles and lack of pick-and-roll
While Memphis has been a strong offensive team overall, there have been notable weaknesses.
The most significant of these is their lack of a consistent pick-and-roll game. The Grizzlies rank last in the NBA in pick-and-roll ball-handler points, with a frequency of just 9.3%.
This is not only the lowest in the league but also far behind the next-worst team, the Golden State Warriors, who run the pick-and-roll at a 13.7% frequency.
This lack of pick-and-roll execution, especially heading into the playoffs, could become a serious problem.
Morant
Morant
Credit AP-Scanpix
As the game slows down and defenses become more physical in the postseason, half-court execution will be critical, and Memphis' struggles in this area are worrisome.
Reports also suggest that assistant coach Noah LaRoche, who had influence over the offense, played a role in moving away from the pick-and-roll.
Ja Morant reportedly disliked this new offense because it reduced his direct involvement in ball screens, a key aspect of his playmaking ability.
Following some internal turmoil, LaRoche was also let go, which likely contributed to the decision to move in a new direction.
Tuomas Iisalo: The tactical genius
When Tuomas Iisalo joined Memphis as an assistant, he brought with him a wealth of knowledge and a coaching style that immediately began influencing the team.
His coaching pedigree, shaped in Europe, is centered around high-intensity, fast-paced play, and it quickly became apparent that this was something Memphis could benefit from.
One of the most immediate impacts Iisalo had on the Grizzlies was their offensive tempo.
Under his guidance, Memphis has become one of the fastest teams in the league. In the 2023-24 season, Memphis ranked 16th in pace, but under Iisalo's influence, they've risen to 1st place in the 2024-25 season, with a pace of 103.4.
This increased tempo doesn't just focus on fast breaks; it's about a more fluid offensive flow that emphasizes quick ball movement, spacing, and constant transition play.
The aim is to exploit every possible opportunity to score before the defense sets up, which suits Memphis' strengths in transition play.
Tuomas Iisalo
Tuomas Iisalo
Credit Justin Ford/ Getty Images via AFP
Revolutionizing the pick-and-roll
While Memphis has struggled with the pick-and-roll in the past, this is an area where Iisalo's expertise will be crucial.
His offensive philosophy heavily relies on pick-and-roll actions, which he uses to create mismatches and exploit defensive weaknesses.
Under Iisalo, we can expect Memphis to run more pick-and-rolls, particularly with Ja Morant, who is the perfect ball handler to dictate the tempo and create opportunities for his teammates.
Iisalo is known for using innovative screening techniques, such as:
Varejao Screens: The screener adjusts the angle of the pick during the play, making it harder for defenders to anticipate or fight through, allowing more space for the ball-handler.
Gortat Screens: These screens are effective against drop coverage, where the screener seals off the big man, preventing him from contesting the ball-handler's drive and creating space for the rolling big man to finish at the rim.
Ghost Screens: Iisalo uses ghost screens to create confusion for defenses, making them react prematurely and opening up more opportunities for drives, cuts, and outside shots.
By implementing these advanced screening techniques more, Iisalo ensures that his offense remains unpredictable and difficult to defend.
Conclusion: A strategic move for the future
While firing Taylor Jenkins this late in the season is rare, Memphis' decision to bring in Iisalo as head coach makes sense given the circumstances.
Iisalo's offensive and defensive philosophies, combined with his ability to increase team intensity and execution, have already had a positive impact on the Grizzlies.
Moreover, his reputation as one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the NBA meant that Memphis had to act quickly to secure him.
If everything goes in the right direction, the Grizzlies have secured themselves an incredible coach for years to come.
Vukašin Nedeljković
Vukašin played basketball competitively in his youth, and now contributes to Synergy Sports Technology and Sportradar regarding basketball analysis. He also has experience working as a journalist in Serbia and is passionate about writing basketball articles mainly focused on basketball X's and O's.
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