• Loading stock data...
Friday, December 13, 2024

Memphis’ Taylor Jenkins Shouldn’t Be Overlooked for COTY

  • The Grizzlies have the second-best record in the NBA with the second-youngest roster and second-lowest payroll in the league. 
  • They’re 16-2 without Ja Morant this season, 13 of which they’ve won by 10+ points.
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Third-year head coach Taylor Jenkins took over a 33-win Grizzlies team in 2019-20 — and turned them into championship contenders.

With eight games remaining, Memphis clinched the postseason in a 133-103 win over the Pacers on Thursday. Not only have the Grizzlies (51-23) been winning without Ja Morant, who’s out for at least two weeks (knee), but they have the second-best record in the NBA with the second-youngest roster in the league. 

Yet Jenkins, who is overachieving with the team, remains a long shot for Coach of the Year (+800*), trailing Phoenix’s Monty Williams (-200*) and Miami’s Erik Spoelstra (+700*).

  • The Grizzlies are 16-2 without Morant this season; they won 13 of those by 10+ points.
  • Without Ja, their offensive rating is 118.9, they’re scoring 118.1 PPG, and shooting 38.4% from three — which would all rank first in the NBA.
  • Jenkins and GM Zachary Kleiman are working with the second-lowest payroll in the league ($117.3M).

The 37-year-old comes from Mike Budenholzer’s coaching tree, which includes prominent player development coaches such as Quin Snyder and Kenny Atkinson.

Even with a firm grip on hosting a first-round series — and a chance to hold on to the 2-seed, the Grizzlies have just the ninth-best (+2200*) title odds.

But at this rate, no one will want to run into these Grizzlies in the playoffs — with or without Morant.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NBA Cup Prize: Every Player Wants the Money, But One Would Get..

Each player on the championship team will win nearly $515,000.
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hoists the NBA Cup and celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena.

NBA Cup Year 2: Tweaks, Schedule Concerns, and Growing Pains

While Vegas has been the event’s location for the last two years, that could change because the NBA may add an expansion team in Sin City.

New Sixers Arena Clears Key Philadelphia City Council Vote

The team still needs one more vote to move ahead.

NBA Cup Schedule May Benefit Losing Teams, League Exec Defends Format

An NBA executive told FOS all stakeholders agreed on the format.

Featured Today

The Top-Secret Operation to Create the Army-Navy Football Uniforms

The two-year process includes dozens of employees, NDAs, and military historians.
Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena
December 9, 2024

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Kyle Shanahan

Kyle Shanahan Dismisses Trade Rumors That Would Put Him in Elite Company

Shanahan said after Sunday’s game he doesn’t want to be traded away.
Nov 9, 2024; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF head coach Gerardo Martino reacts in the second half against the Atlanta United FC in a 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Round One match at Chase Stadium.
November 20, 2024

Messi’s Inter Miami Coach Quits After Best Regular MLS Season Ever

Gerardo “Tata” Martino has been with Miami for about as long as Messi.
November 20, 2024

Deion Sanders Downplays NFL Smoke As Former Cowboys Lobby for Him

The Colorado coach says “I’ve got a kickstand down” in Boulder.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 13, 2024

WNBA Raids College Coaching Ranks As Atlanta Dream Hire Karl Smesko

Smesko is regarded as one of the top coaches in women’s college basketball.
Aug 3, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah (11) drives past Manchester United Harry Amass (41) at Williams-Brice Stadium.
November 11, 2024

Premier League Ref Suspended for Wild Rants Against Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp

The unverified video shows the referee since 2018 disparaging Liverpool.
November 10, 2024

Deion Sanders Gets $100,000 Bonus for Every Remaining Colorado Win

Sanders has reportedly made $400,000 in bonuses, with another $100,000 for every additional win.
Nov 2, 2024; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney reacts during the fourth quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at Memorial Stadium.
November 5, 2024

Dabo Swinney Encounters Voting Mix-Up on Election Day

“They done voted me out of the state, lost a game,” Swinney joked.