We are currently 3-12, tied for last in the Western conference. This season couldn’t have started any worse.

We get Ja back in 10 games, on Dec 23rd at Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile Luke Kennard will be reevaulated after first week of Dec, Tillman is ‘week-to-week’, and Smart is 2-4 weeks out as of today. Clarke is estimated to come back in March, and Adams is out for the season.

That means at worst, we will have these three guys back 4 weeks from now when Ja returns. We have a 9 day break between Dec 2nd and 11th with no games - did I miss something?

Possible scenario:

The next 10 games:

  • vs Wolves
  • vs Jazz
  • @ Mavericks
  • @ Suns
  • vs Mavericks
  • @ Rockets
  • vs Rockets
  • @ Thunder - Kennard back
  • @ Pelicans
  • vs Pacers
  • @ Hawks - Ja Morant back, Smart back

Being realistic, we probably go at best 2-8 out of these ten games. I would guess we will end up 5-20 by the time Ja, Smart and Kennard are all back.

If we assume Tillman is back within 1-2 weeks from then, we would need to go 35-22 in the remaining games to finish with 40 wins, which might hopefully be enough to squeeze into the play-ins.

Do you see this happening? Is it even worth trying for?

  • omgshannonwtfBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Until we’re shit with a reasonably healthy roster, it’s likely Jenkins gets a pass, especially if they are somewhat competitive as players return. There are too many G-Leaguers laced up as Grizzlies to make an argument that Jenkins should go.

    Just watch the Hustle play if you ever get the chance (some of their games are available in full on YouTube): outside of GG or Snaq when he’s playing, it’s hard to watch. Many of those guys were not D1 college standouts. Putting them in a Grizzlies uniform to have warm bodies doesn’t change that. There’s a reason why all of the best teams in the NBA are loaded with incredible players who do amazing things with simple plays like pick-&-roll.

    Kleiman? That might be a different story, though I still don’t see him getting fired this year. He’ll probably get next year’s draft to prove that he can continue to make magic and if he fucks it up, he’s out.