Jenkins finds himself in the spotlight now
Grizzlies players, coach committed to following the NBA bubble’s rules
The rookie, “the OG” and the coach.
One by one, the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, Anthony Tolliver and Taylor Jenkins stood in front of a camera for Monday night’s Zoom call with media, each delivering a message without saying a word.
On the same day the NBA announced its latest round of COVID-19 tests produced zero positive cases, Morant, Tolliver and Jenkins conducted interviews sporting masks. The 35-year-old Tolliver, the oldest player on a team with an average age of 24.5, said the concerted effort to wear masks underscores both the serious nature of the ongoing pandemic and the commitment to keeping those within the “bubble” healthy as the league’s restart date, July 31, approaches.
“I’m literally talking to a screen and I have a mask on, so, you know, it is what it is, right?” said Tolliver, a member of the NBA Players’ Association executive board.
“That’s what they told me to do, so that’s what I’m doing. I think that everybody here has been taking things pretty seriously. You know, whenever we’re outside, I think some guys will not wear their mask or whatever. But, for the most part, guys are just trying to follow the rules, even though sometimes they can be inconvenienced in some ways or whatever.”
The rules outlined before the NBA set up shop at Disney World in Orlando indeed have their pros and cons. For Morant, they include the well-being of those inside the bubble and the
steps that must be taken to ensure it, but also extend beyond that.
“For me, it’s definitely easier to focus,” Morant said through a light-blue mask featuring the Grizzlies logo. “You can stay locked in. You have some time to just study the game, continue to get better in all aspects. More team-bonding stuff, that’s definitely a plus. (But) it’s been tough (being away from family). But I have to deal with it and try to just find ways to stay in touch.”
If the NBA can keep its bubble coronavirus-free and complete its modified season – which was abruptly halted in March when Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first confirmed player to test positive – it will all be worth it, said Jenkins, who wore a yellow “Believe Memphis” mask Monday.
“Speaking personally for our team, our guys are really dialed in on following the protocols,” said the first-year coach, who has the Grizzlies in position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
“I think everyone’s taking this seriously, recognizing the importance of bringing basketball back to our great fans. I think the NBA’S doing an unbelievable job. All the education we had coming in here has really helped us to kind of settle into a groove a lot sooner than having to take a lot of time out of our training to really get dialed in on this.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.