Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch for in one-game trip vs. Memphis Grizzlies
By Adam McGee
Catching up with Taylor Jenkins
The Bucks have already played through some reunions with old friends through the early stages of this season, but Friday will offer the first opportunity for Milwaukee’s players and coaches to catch up with Taylor Jenkins.
A long-time assistant coach alongside Mike Budenholzer, and a key part of the staff in Milwaukee’s 60-win season last year, Jenkins left the Bucks in the summer to pursue his first NBA head coaching opportunity with the Grizzlies.
With the Grizzlies very much in rebuilding mode, Jenkins took on a job that wasn’t going to come with immediate expectations of winning, but did carry pressure in terms of getting young players to progress and improve.
Jenkins was highly-respected for his development work in both Atlanta and Milwaukee, which means his positive influence on Memphis’ young players early on is not entirely unexpected.
The Grizzlies are 8-16, although they come into this one on the back of back-to-back wins, but more important than record is the stellar play of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Brandon Clarke.
Morant and Clarke are both set to miss out through injury on Friday, perhaps making life considerably easier for the Bucks, yet their play to date has given Jenkins and the Grizzlies plenty of cause for long-term optimism.