Jenkins makes the right call
Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was reading the flow of Tuesday’s NBA playoff game when it called for him to go off script. Three of his starters were in foul trouble against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the three players in rotation minutes at center had two fouls in the first quarter.
Jenkins then looked down his bench, and brought in Xavier Tillman Sr. with 1:30 left in the first quarter. At the time, he probably didn’t know that this move would
propel the Grizzlies to a 124-96 victory in Game 2 at Fedexforum and tie the series at 1-1. The change was expected to give Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and Steven Adams a rest, but instead, it gave the Grizzlies a jolt. Tillman helped the Grizzlies build an eight-point lead before getting a break with 7:30 left in the second quarter.
Jackson and Clarke played a couple minutes together before Clarke fouled Naz Reid and picked up his third foul. With a rested Adams on the bench, Jenkins opted for Tillman.
“The team just took off from that first quarter,” Jenkins said. “We had
a great second quarter and I just kind of went with my gut and said, ‘hey, let’s try to continue to ride the momentum the second quarter and continue to manage our big sub pattern as best as possible.”
Adams struggled in Game 1 against the mobility of Karl Anthony-towns, and Anthony Edwards intentionally got switches on Adams to attack him in space. After Game 1, Jenkins said he would look at the film and decide what was next.
On Tuesday, Adams picked up two fouls by the 9:10 mark of the first quarter. To that point, he had no
points or rebounds.
It was clear Jenkins had a tighter grip on his rotation when Kyle Anderson started the second half instead of Adams. Jenkins went with Anderson over Tillman to keep his backup big-man rotation in order. Jenkins then informed Adams of his decision.
“I talked to Steven, I let him know the gut-decision I made,” Jenkins said. “Obviously he got the early foul trouble, the bench was rolling, the lineups we had out there were rolling and he completely understood.”
All season long, Adams has been one of the most vocal Grizzlies. When players come towards the bench after a timeout, he's one of the first to greet them. Sometimes he even leaves his bench seat and walks towards Jenkins' coaching area to yell towards a teammate when the action is on the opposite end of the court.
You couldn't tell Adams was replaced in the rotation because his demeanor didn't change.
A lot of times players look forward to the playoff moment. Being removed from the big stage can be gut-wrenching.
Adams' attitude is a tribute to his selfless mindset and the culture Jenkins and his staff have built.
“He's a vet,” Morant said. “I feel like our whole team ... we're very unselfish, no matter what's going on. We love to see our teammate's success.”
It's unclear what Adams' role will be in Game 3 on Thursday at Minnesota, but when Jenkins alerted him about the lineup change, the ninth-year pro made his main goal clear.
“(Adams) was just like, ‘We want to win. Whatever you got to do to win, I'm here for you coach, whatever you need.' Super proud of him. He's the ultimate pro.”
Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc