Memphis Grizzlies
The 2024-25 Memphis Grizzlies can be defined by getting swept (and obliterated) out of the first round of the Playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What did we learn?
With just nine games left in the regular season, the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins.
To us, it was a shocking move that we still don’t understand or agree with.
It was also a surprise to GG Jackson who thought the news was Centel’s music. (Never change GG Jackson.)
Yes, we did see that the Grizz had been sliding in a serious way. They had a bad record against good teams and suffering all those close late-game losses were taking its toll.
But that didn’t change the fact that Taylor Jenkins had instilled a winning culture in Memphis from the moment he showed up. Or that on Feb. 5 of this season, the Grizz were 35-16 and the No. 2 seed in the loaded West.
Over the past five years since we started this here blog, we said on numerous occasions that we felt Spurs vibes here. Well, you can toss that out the window and then run it over.
The Grizz did beat the Mavs in the last Play-In game to squeak into the playoffs after getting torched by the Warriors in the first Play-In. But surely it wasn’t worth it in the end.
Game 1 vs. OKC was an embarrassment of epic proportions. The 51-point loss was the worst Game 1 loss in NBA history.
Then they blew a 29-lead in Game 3 at home after Ja got hurt.
The Grizzlies looked like a team that fired it’s head coach with nine games left in the regular season. They had no sense of direction or identity.
The Grizz were once the bright new up and coming fun young team in the West. OKC has past them by and lapped them twice.
Not only were the Grizz not fine in the West, they were in Cancun before the calendar turned to May.
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Additional Notes
Ja games played the last four seasons: 57, 61, 9 and 50. Woof.
Major props to Jaren Jackson Jr. for putting together a damn fine season with 74 games played often as the team’s best player on both ends.
Desmond Bane’s numbers dropped across the board except for his 3-point percentage, which can always be counted on.
Rookie Jaylen Wells had an excellent season, 1st Team All-Rookie. Unfortunately it will most be remembered for his scary fall in the last week of the season. Memphis sure could have used him vs. OKC, but it wouldn’t have mattered in the end.
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Did our preseason Over/Under prediction hit?
This one almost feels too easy, which is scary. Under 47.5 games.
Grizzlies 2024-25 record: (48-34)
Despite such a season of turmoil, the Grizz actually hit the over on their win total.
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What’s Next?
JJJ is extension eligible and that should be Priority 1. The Grizz are fortunate that he didn’t land on an All-NBA team, which would have cost them significantly more money.
Tuomas Iisalo is officially in as the new head coach. We’ll see how he compares to Taylor Jenkins over the course of a full season.
Get Ja healthy. And Brandon Clarke! They need the whole gang to, ya know, play in the games. [UPDATE: Bane is gone to Orlando for KCP, Cole Anthony and draft picks. Are the Grizz waving the white flag in the West??]
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Favorite Grizzlies Highlight of the 2024-25 Season:
Late in the game, when he’s available, you can still Call 12.
