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Three Western Conference Coaches Reportedly on Hot Seat

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins could reportedly be on the hot seat

Joey Linn

Dec 26, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with guard Ja Morant (12) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins talks with guard Ja Morant (12) in the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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In a recent article, The Athletic’s John Hollinger revealed three Western Conference NBA coaches that could be on the hot seat next season.

“Three names that came up in my conversations with folks around the league were the Memphis Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins, the New Orleans Pelicans’ Willie Green and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Chauncey Billups,” Hollinger wrote.

On Jenkins, Hollinger stated, “Jenkins comes off a 27-win season that was plagued by myriad injuries. He’s mostly had success in Memphis, including finishing second in the 2022 Coach of the Year vote, but the Grizzlies have hit some turbulence since then. More notably, Memphis also fired the majority of his assistant coaches just before the combine; that’s always a tell the head coach isn’t a great spot.”

Next season is a big one for Memphis, because while last year can be chalked up to injuries, the Grizzlies will have to prove that they are still one of the best teams in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies were the second seed in consecutive seasons before injuries derailed this past season, but the Western Conference has seen the rise of multiple teams since Memphis last made the playoffs. It will not be easy for the Grizzlies to simply reclaim their spot near the top of the standings.

According to Hollinger, Jenkins could be on the hot seat - especially if Memphis fails to perform at the level many believe they should be at with a healthy Ja Morant and company. 

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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