Desmond Bane comments on Grizzlies’ decision to part ways with Taylor Jenkins

The Memphis Grizzlies made a shocking decision to fire Taylor Jenkins, even though the team was in a solid playoff position with the postseason fast approaching. Desmond Bane admitted feeling some personal responsibility for the move.

“It’s on us for sure,” Bane said, via Avery Braxton of ABC 24 Memphis. “We’re the five players out there. Coach didn’t shoot a single shot this season. He didn’t guard anyone. He provided us with a great game plan, but we didn’t execute it the way we needed to. So, a lot of times, coaches and others take the fall, but in the end, it’s on the players.”

Despite holding a 44-30 record, good for fifth in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies felt a change was necessary. The team is stacked with talent, boasting what could be the deepest rotation in the NBA. Jenkins’ firing isn’t the only unexpected coaching change this season, as the Sacramento Kings let go of Mike Brown earlier due to their struggles. However, the timing of Jenkins’ dismissal, so close to the playoffs, was particularly surprising.

With just eight games remaining in the regular season, the Grizzlies face significant matchups against the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Denver Nuggets, all of which will impact the playoff seeding in the Western Conference. They also have games against playoff-bound Eastern Conference teams, the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons.

It will be intriguing to see how Bane and the Grizzlies perform in these final games and whether they experience an uptick in performance heading into the playoffs. The young squad has shown great promise, but now they aim to make a serious run deep into the postseason.