D-17 for Ja Morant's big return to the field. Suspended for 25 matches, the All-Star leader watches helplessly at the start of his teammates' failed season, but also at the avalanche of injuries affecting his franchise. A nightmarish start which serves as a test for Taylor Jenkins. The Grizzlies coach stays the course in the middle of the storm, and last night, in Dallas, his players won a second game in a row. A first this season.
“It’s a real balancing act between a positive approach and frankness,” recognizes Jenkins. “It’s never going to be perfect overnight. You have to know how to analyze the situation and see what the team needs, what buttons need to be pressed. But we also need to know what buttons our teammates need to push on each other.”
For the Memphis coach, it is important not to get depressed because it can quickly become contagious. It is in adversity that a coach, but also players, can reveal themselves.
“But the most important thing is to remain consistent in our daily approach,” continues Jenkins. “We know what our standard is, whether in training or in video sessions. It's something I have to do in a match. It's my voice. It's the voice of the players. You have to go about it in different ways depending on the difficulties encountered. I repeat that the attitude of our players is great. Obviously, after disappointing defeats, we feel defeated, and we don't want to sink in, etc. But our guys maintain the good state of mind and they respond to all our requests.”
