X/@TheDunkCentral
For the Memphis Grizzlies early season to be put under a cloud, a serious disconnect in communication between superstar Ja Morant and his coach Tuomas Iisalo has been the reason. According to a report by Kelly Iko, Morant and coach Iisalo virtually do not talk to each other during the games, while Morant’s body language was throughout the game “off” and a tension was very much visible at the FedEx Forum.
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The detailed report shows a glimpse of a difficult relationship. It mentions Morant being “off to himself at either end of the bench, swimming in his own thoughts” during timeouts. The observation highlighted the lack of the usual coach-player interactions saying there were “no reassuring handshakes or taps from Iisalo whenever Morant was subbed out.” The only contact mentioned in the story was a “mini briefing” that occurred late in the fourth quarter when the game’s outcome was already decided. This predicament calls into question a Grizzlies organization that brought in Iisalo, a top-rated coach from the European leagues, to assist the team and its franchise player to the next level.
The public’s reaction was swift and very negative, with a majority of them holding the star player responsible. One person raised an objection and said, “They literally hired him for Ja. I’d say trade the dude but I’m not sure anyone would want a headache to this level. Finds a way to be a problem every single year.” This statement reflects a general discontent with what some see as a repetitive cycle of trouble surrounding Morant, who has already faced several league disciplinary actions. The user continued, “There’s one common denominator in all of this and it’s the divas we have as our ‘stars.’ Nothing is ever good enough for Ja or Jaren.”
Another viewer regarded the coach’s philosophy as less favorable and even suggested an essential disagreement. The person opined, “TI’s ideas and what he says are his core principles will not go down well in this league. Not a single star in the NBA will be able to cope with it. NONE.” Such an outlook brings up the question of whether Iisalo’s system, which brought him success overseas, could also be used in the NBA and its star-centric culture. The remark suggests that the issue may not be entirely with Morant, but it could be a more philosophical problem.
On the other hand, not everyone was so quick to pass judgment on the coach’s side. Someone made a comment that not only defended Iisalo but also underlined his impressive qualifications. The user wrote, “Tuomas’ two grand-uncles were most highly decorated war heroes. He’s won The Euro League as coach. Ja has smelled gunpowder and won…eh, two league suspensions?” This comparison, although strange, highlights the credibility Iisalo built up in Europe and paints the dispute as a battle between a recognized winner and a player with a troubled recent history.
Amidst the blame game, a few people tried their best to offer a different view and reminded everyone that it is still very early in the season. A more cautious reaction simply stated, “We ain’t even 10 games in.” This comment suggests that while the situation is severe, it might be too early to label it as a complete disaster, thus allowing the coach and player the chance to find a common ground.
The implicit situation this time around makes the division particularly unsettling for Memphis. The Grizzlies let go of the former coach Taylor Jenkins; a widely held belief is that this was done out of the wish to discover a leader who could nurture the complete potential of Morant’s skills. The irony of a division so soon with Iisalo, the self-proclaimed successor to then, is a nightmare for the front office. The threatened crisis of a team that aspires to be at the top of the Western Conference again, might even have a negative impact on its whole season.
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However, this reported disconnect is more than just a matter of wins and losses. It directly touches the x-factor of team chemistry and leadership. The Grizzlies’ success is heavily dependent on the harmony between their best player and the head coach. As of now, the facts indicate that they are on completely different wavelengths, which even a non-championship-bound team could not withstand. The Memphis Grizzlies now have to put in a lot of effort to mend this all-important relationship, or else the season may slip away. The team must discover a means of dismantling the communication barrier that exists between its star player and its new head coach to get back to winning.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
