Taylor Jenkins affected by a family bereavement, the Grizzlies were led by a new face Wednesday against the Lakers. Memphis was thus trained for the first time by Tuomas Iisaloarrived this summer after revealing himself in Europe, in Bonn then at Paris Basketball last season. From the capital and the Betclic Elite to having to face LeBron James, the transition was particularly rapid, especially for a European coach.
The Finn knew a few hours earlier that he was chosen to act as interim in the absence of Taylor Jenkins.
“ I found myself in an unusual situation today”, he assured. “ When you are a head coach, you are responsible for everything and that is not my role here. I'm here to support Taylor Jenkins and make sure her vision comes to fruition. He gives a lot of responsibilities to all the deputies. »
In a young and very renewed staff, where only Anthony Carter and Pat St. Andrews were already in place in 2023/24, this mark of confidence still says a lot about the hopes placed in Tuomas Iisalo, after only eight short matches on an NBA bench.
First game and already the Grizzlies' highest point total this season
Coach with a very offensive style of play, adept at a high tempo and who never hesitates to let his players take their chances, particularly from afar, Tuomas Iisalo seems to have quickly infused his precepts into his players. Against the Lakers deprived of Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura, the Grizzlies signed their biggest offensive card since the start of the season with 134 points scored, and 3-point records for baskets scored as well as skill (17/34 ).
“ Our hearts were heavy for Coach Jenkins, it was good to get this win for him on a day like this and for him to know he has a family here in the locker room » commented Ja Morant. “ Yuki (Kawamura) scored his first points, Tuomas got his first victory, it's a special evening for us. »
Tuomas Iisalo did not seem impressed by the stakes, or by the time spent since the end of last season without coaching in a match, during Game 4 of the Betclic Elite final, lost against Monaco.
“ I've been doing this for over ten years and before every match there is excitement. I know it's positive, it proves that you are in the right state of mind. I'm happy to continue to have these butterflies in my stomach before each meeting. »
From Summer League to Alternate
This situation is only temporary, the time of the return of Taylor Jenkins at the head of the Grizzlies. But this match is already a real accomplishment, as Tuomas Iisalo revealed that he did not think of joining the “coaching staff” of Memphis when he started discussing with the Tennessee franchise.
“ At first, with the Grizzlies, the idea was only for me to be a guest coach for the Summer League.he mentioned in a press conference before the match. “Then there were discussions and it turned out that they were finally interested in me joining the staff. It was a huge surprise for me. In Europe, we are so far from the NBA that it takes a lot of luck to find yourself in this position. The style of play that I propose attracted the Grizzlies. I had good conversations with coach Taylor Jenkins, things moved in the right direction and I'm happy to be here today. »
Signing a three-year contract with the Grizzlies, Tuomas Iisalo seems on a supersonic trajectory, like his players on the field. At 42, he went in three years from the bench of Crailsheim Merlins, one of the smallest budgets in the German championship, to a right-hand position in the Great League…
