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Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said the decision to fire coach Taylor Jenkins was made without talking with players.
"The players were not consulted on this decision," Kleiman told reporters on Saturday, a day after the Grizzlies fired Jenkins. "This decision is mine and mine only."
Kleiman spoke during Grizzlies' shootaround ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, but he answered questions from reporters for less than three minutes and did not answer the final two questions, responding, "We're focused on this team and this basketball game tonight" to a question about what he's looking for in the next Grizzlies coach.
Jenkins was fired after six seasons in charge of the Grizzlies. The timing caught nearly everyone off guard, because the Grizzlies have only nine games left in the regular season and are currently tied for fourth in the Western Conference.
The decision means interim coach Tuomas Iisalo will be responsible for taking the Grizzlies into a playoff series.
"Looking forward to seeing what he's able to do with this group," Kleiman said. "There's realistic expectations, there's not going to be time to install a bunch of things at this time of year. My expectations are clarity of direction and we'll see what we can do, we'll see what we can execute."
Kleiman started by thanking Jenkins for his time with the Grizzlies and adding that Jenkins is "going to be a great coach in this league for a long time."
"Taylor made very significant contributions to this team on the court and off the court during his six years here," Kleiman said. "Leaves the team in a much better position than when we started. Great person and a great coach, and he's going to be a great coach in this league for a long time."
Kleiman did not address his reasons for firing Jenkins this close to the end of the season.
"I'm focused on how we operate," he said. "I'm responsible for everything. I'm responsible for coaching, I'm responsible for the roster. Not trying to absolve myself of anything. Excited to see what this team can do the rest of the way, but this is the conclusion that I came to, that this is in the best interest of the team. And we push forward with this group."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said about decision to fire Taylor Jenkins
Continue reading...
"The players were not consulted on this decision," Kleiman told reporters on Saturday, a day after the Grizzlies fired Jenkins. "This decision is mine and mine only."
Kleiman spoke during Grizzlies' shootaround ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, but he answered questions from reporters for less than three minutes and did not answer the final two questions, responding, "We're focused on this team and this basketball game tonight" to a question about what he's looking for in the next Grizzlies coach.
Jenkins was fired after six seasons in charge of the Grizzlies. The timing caught nearly everyone off guard, because the Grizzlies have only nine games left in the regular season and are currently tied for fourth in the Western Conference.
The decision means interim coach Tuomas Iisalo will be responsible for taking the Grizzlies into a playoff series.
"Looking forward to seeing what he's able to do with this group," Kleiman said. "There's realistic expectations, there's not going to be time to install a bunch of things at this time of year. My expectations are clarity of direction and we'll see what we can do, we'll see what we can execute."
Kleiman started by thanking Jenkins for his time with the Grizzlies and adding that Jenkins is "going to be a great coach in this league for a long time."
"Taylor made very significant contributions to this team on the court and off the court during his six years here," Kleiman said. "Leaves the team in a much better position than when we started. Great person and a great coach, and he's going to be a great coach in this league for a long time."
Kleiman did not address his reasons for firing Jenkins this close to the end of the season.
"I'm focused on how we operate," he said. "I'm responsible for everything. I'm responsible for coaching, I'm responsible for the roster. Not trying to absolve myself of anything. Excited to see what this team can do the rest of the way, but this is the conclusion that I came to, that this is in the best interest of the team. And we push forward with this group."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said about decision to fire Taylor Jenkins
Continue reading...
