Stephen A's Take: NBA Coach gets fired with 9 games left. Let's review the facts behind the decision! - The Stephen A. Smith Show

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Stephen A. Smith Show Episode: Stephen A's Take: NBA Coach gets fired with 9 games left. Let's review the facts behind the decision! Release Date: March 30, 2025

Introduction In this episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, host Stephen A. Smith delves deep into the recent developments within the NBA, focusing primarily on the unexpected firing of Memphis Grizzlies' coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games remaining in the regular season. Smith provides a comprehensive analysis of the circumstances leading to this decision, the implications for the Grizzlies, and the broader impact on the Western Conference standings, particularly concerning the Los Angeles Lakers.

Memphis Grizzlies Fire Coach Taylor Jenkins Stephen A. opens the discussion with the surprising news that the Memphis Grizzlies have dismissed their head coach, Taylor Jenkins, despite the team still having nine games left in the season. Smith expresses his bewilderment over the decision, questioning the rationale behind letting a coach go so late in the season.

“Taylor Jenkins, who I think is a pretty damn good coach, only got about nine games left in the season. Why the hell would you let him go?” (03:15)

Smith acknowledges Jenkins' coaching abilities but points out that the Grizzlies have struggled significantly against top-tier teams. He cites their record against the Western Conference's elite, highlighting a 4-15 performance against the top seven seeds.

“I think they're like 4, 4 and 15 against the top seven teams...” (04:20)

He further elaborates on the Grizzlies' poor performance against teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Denver Nuggets, suggesting that Jenkins' inability to secure wins against strong opponents may have influenced the management's decision.

Analysis of Grizzlies' Struggles Smith delves into the statistical underperformance of the Grizzlies, emphasizing their winless record against the Oklahoma City Thunder and their overall dismal performance since the All-Star break. He attributes the team's woes to a combination of injuries, including key players like John Moran and Jaren Jackson Jr., and a lackluster season from star player Ja Morant.

“John Moran hasn't looked the same this year... Jaren Jackson Jr's been out.” (05:45)

Smith speculates that if Morant had a stronger season, Jenkins might have remained, indicating that individual player performances are pivotal to coaching decisions.

“If Ja Morant had a greater year, I don't think Taylor Jenkins would be gone.” (06:10)

Los Angeles Lakers’ Declining Performance Transitioning to the Lakers, Smith provides a critical analysis of their recent decline. He references a pivotal game against the Chicago Bulls, where a last-second half-court shot by Josh Giddey led to a Lakers loss, exemplifying their inconsistent performance in the final stretch of games.

“Josh Giddey... nails a buzzer-beating half court heave over LeBron James to win the game for the Chicago Bulls.” (01:30)

Smith highlights the Lakers' current standing as a fourth seed in the Western Conference, tied with the Grizzlies at 44-29. However, he emphasizes their recent form, being 4-6 in the last ten games, which undermines their previous status as one of the top teams in the West.

“The Lakers are now four and six in their last 10 games and currently hold a number four seed in the west via tiebreaker over the Grizzlies, who have the Same record at 44 and 29.” (02:10)

Impact of LeBron James’ Injury A significant factor in the Lakers' decline, according to Smith, is the injury sustained by LeBron James. He discusses how LeBron's groin injury not only affects his performance but also the team's defensive capabilities and overall morale.

“LeBron James, from what his sources tell him, he's not 100% healthy. He's only at about 75 to 80%.” (07:20)

Smith critiques the Lakers' defensive strategies, especially Luka Doncic's role, noting that the team leads the league in opponents' blow-by maneuvers, which compromises their defensive integrity.

“Nobody gets blown by more in the NBA than Luka Doncic. Since he's become a Los Angeles Laker, he's leading the league in blow bys.” (07:50)

Statistical Insights and Future Outlook Smith supports his analysis with key statistics, underscoring the Lakers' poor shooting and defensive ratings in recent games. He points out that in their latest game, the Lakers' starting five shot a collective 26% from three-point range and highlights a significant drop in their defensive performance since LeBron's return.

“Lakers starting five last night, Thursday night, shot a collective eight for 31 from three from deep. That's only 26%.” (08:30)

“In the four games since LeBron James has returned, the Lakers are one and three and have the fourth worst defensive rating in the league during this stretch.” (08:45)

Smith forecasts a bleak playoff outlook for the Lakers, suggesting that their seeding could lead to early exits, potentially in the first or second rounds, limiting their chances to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

“So the Lakers have gone from looking like a bonafide big time threat to come out of the west and at the least, get in the way and have a face off against Oklahoma City Thunder.” (09:10)

Conclusion Stephen A. Smith wraps up the episode by reiterating the precarious situation both the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in. He emphasizes the need for organizational changes and improved performance to secure favorable playoff positions and outcomes. Smith's in-depth analysis provides listeners with a clear understanding of the current NBA landscape, underscored by critical statistics and expert commentary.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

“Taylor Jenkins, who I think is a pretty damn good coach, only got about nine games left in the season. Why the hell would you let him go?” (03:15)
“If Ja Morant had a greater year, I don't think Taylor Jenkins would be gone.” (06:10)
“Nobody gets blown by more in the NBA than Luka Doncic. Since he's become a Los Angeles Laker, he's leading the league in blow bys.” (07:50)
“So the Lakers have gone from looking like a bonafide big time threat to come out of the west and at the least, get in the way and have a face off against Oklahoma City Thunder.” (09:10)

This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a thorough examination of critical NBA developments, providing fans with nuanced insights into team dynamics, coaching decisions, and playoff implications. Stephen A.'s expert analysis and compelling commentary make it an essential listen for anyone interested in the current state of professional basketball.

Transcript

Daniel Tosh (0:00)

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Stephen A. Smith (1:01)

Let's get started in the NBA and the race for the players with just a few weeks left in the regular season. Did y'all see what happened to the Los Angeles Lakers last night? I know you saw it. Cause I know I saw it. LA was up with just 10 seconds left in the game when the Bulls stole an inbound pass from LeBron James. Kobe White got the ball, drained to three. The Lakers scored in an Austin Reaves drive to go up by one with under four seconds. Then off the inbounds pass, Mr. Josh Giddey, formerly of the Oklahoma City Thunder, nails a buzzer beating half court heave over LeBron James to win the game for the Chicago Bulls. Now the lakers are now four and six in their last 10 games and currently hold a number four seed in the west via tiebreaker over the Grizzlies, who have the Same record at 44 and 29. Some breaking news for y'all probably won't be breaking by the time this post, but the Memphis Grizzlies have just fired their coach, Taylor Jenkins. They've just fired them. Okay, they're tied with the Los Angeles Lakers battling for a fourth or fifth slot in a Western Conference. Really a fourth spot because Grizzlies at the fifth spot right now even though they have an identical record to the Los Angeles Lakers. And Taylor Jenkins, who I think is a pretty damn good coach, only got about nine games left in the season. Why the hell would you let him go? Now then I looked at some numbers and I'm sad that he's gone. All right. But here's the flip side. I think they're like 4, 4 and 15 against the top seven teams, top seven seeds in the Western Conference playoff picture. All right? They're winless against the Oklahoma City Thunder this year. They're 1 and 3 against the Rockets. They're 03 against the Clippers. They're 1 and 2 against teams like the Warriors. Okay. And then you look at. Then you look at them against the Denver Nuggets. They're 1 and 2 as well. You're looking at this team the way they've been struggling since the All Star break. Like an 1119 record. Can't seem to get things going. They felt like now was the time for change. Light a fire under the players. Attach a level of urgency. I saw the injuries and what have you. John Moran's been out, Jaren Jackson Jr's been out. We get that part. And, and John Moran hasn't looked the same this year. He's looked at it in moments, in spurts. We all know what an electrifying talent he is, but the John Morant that used to be, in terms of how he would just literally take over, I think if he was having a greater year, not to say he's awful because he's Ja Morant as a impossible, but if he had a greater year, I don't think Taylor Jenkins would be gone. They could talk about development or lack thereof for the younger players and all that stuff. I get all of that. But to fire the man, nine games left in the season, you know, and he's going to the playoffs, he's a fifth seed right now, didn't seem to make that much sense to me. But when you look at his record against some of those top tier teams, maybe that's what they're saying, maybe that's what they're looking at and maybe that's the conclusion that they reach. Let me get back to the Lakers, because here's what we're talking about right now. Lakers in a world of trouble. And I'm going tell you why. Because before LeBron James goes down against Boston a couple of weeks ago and suffered that groin injury, not only were the Lakers winning basketball games, the Lakers were considered one of the top two teams in the Western Conference. It was a foregone conclusion in a lot of our eyes that they would beat Denver, whose depth we've questioned, that they would beat the Houston Rockets, whose youth we questioned, that they would beat a team like the Los Angeles Clippers, who by the Way is playing good ball and James Harden is really doing his thing and Norman Powell has been a stud and Ty Luka coach his ass off. And then you got Jeff Van Gundy, who's really upgraded their defense exponentially. But the flip side to it is that Kawhi Leonard has missed 15 of his 19 play. Let the Clippers 15 of the last 19 playoff games for the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard has missed. So nobody has faith that he's going to be somebody that you can trust and rely upon for the Los Angeles Clippers. No matter how good he may be looking right now, nobody's going to trust that. Okay, which brings us back to the Lakers. If you're the Los Angeles Lakers, you were supposed to be looking at it and saying, yo, they're in a good spot, they're in a good spot. But then LeBron goes down, and after he goes down, everything seems to have fallen apart. Yeah, we had Luca doing his thing and being more assertive offensively, but we're looking at the Lakers as a defensive unit and they've tailed off to some degree. Okay, for eight weeks they were top rated defense in the NBA. Now you're looking at them and wondering what the hell is going on. So you got that business and then on top of it all, you turn around and not only having that situation, you gotta look at it from the standpoint that you know what? One of nine from three point range in the fourth quarter. That's what the Lakers shot Thursday night against the Bulls. 1 of 9 from 3 point range, 11%. Meanwhile, the Bulls shot 11 to 14, 79%. Where's this defense going? Austin Reeves was balling, made that shot with under four seconds left. The brother might be the best third option in the NBA. Had 30 last night. 10 to 17 shooting all seven free throws. Three and nine for three point range. The brother can play. Austin Reaves is a special talent. He's really showing out. And props to JJ Redick and his staff with the Los Angeles Lakers for looking the way that they're looking with them. But right now we got to ask ourselves that question. When you look at the legitimacy of the Los Angeles Lakers, it is such a huge, huge question mark right now because as my man, big perk Kendrick Perkins said to me, if you look at LeBron James, from what his sources tell him, he's not 100% healthy. He's only at about 75 to 80%. Luca plays no defense. Perk keeps bringing up the statistic. He's absolutely right. Blow bys, meaning Opponents blowing by you as a defender. Nobody gets blown by more in the NBA than Luka Doncic. Since he's become a Los Angeles Laker, he's leading the league in blow bys. So that's compromising your defense as well. And as a result, the Los Angeles Lakers don't look like a shell of themselves. So here we are, ladies and gentlemen. Even though when Luka first arrived, we said the Los Angeles Lakers are going to be severely compromised because of defense, because Anthony Davis is being gone over time, we looked at them and said, you know what, there's hope, there's aspirations for this team. They could get to the Western Conference finals. Now we're looking at them and we're saying, wait a minute. If you finish as a fourth or a fifth seed, being 1 and 3 since LeBron has returned, if you sit up there and you're going to be in a situation where you end up as a fourth seed or a fifth seed, that means that first round series, you're in jeopardy of not having a home court advantage in it. Number two, even if you were to face the Memphis Grizzlies and and you ended up beating them, you'd get Oklahoma City in the second round. And nobody thinks you're going to beat them. So the Lakers could go home before the conference finals. If they fall to a sixth seed and they were locked in at the number six spot and had to go against number three, Denver, suddenly people look at them and say, wait a minute, Jokic and those brothers would beat him. So you got all of that going on. So the Lakers have gone from looking like a bonafide big time threat to come out of the west and at the least, get in the way and have a face off against Oklahoma City Thunder. And in the span of a week and a half to two weeks, they've disintegrated from that to you going home in the first or the second round. That's what we looking at right now. That's what we looking at right now. And by the way, just a couple of stats. Lakers starting five last night, Thursday night, shot a collective eight for 31 from three from deep. That's only 26%. In the four games since LeBron James has returned, the Lakers are one and three and have the fourth worst defensive rating in the league during this stretch, allowing 126.8 points per 100 possessions. They got outscored 44 to 26 in the fourth quarter. And oh, by the way, in those last four games, the Lakers have been a -13, -14, -12 and -9 with Luca and LeBron on the court and they've been outscored by a total of 48 points with LeBron and Luca on the court together. LeBron might have had a brain fought in in in in Chicago last night, but we know that's not something he will customarily do. It happens. Luca being blown by, Luca not playing defense, Luca not being seeming in good enough shape is a different problem and a different animal altogether. It's something that we all need to pay attention to and we cannot ignore.