Grizzlies Coach Has Surprising Comments on Coaching Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies are in a difficult position. They aren’t currently looking like the playoff contender they were hoping to be, but they also believe in their core of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., and their ability to lead a team on a deep playoff run. 

That being said, their shaky start has caused some friction, specifically between star point guard Morant and head coach Tuomas Iisalo. This resulted in Morant making some choice comments towards his coach, which resulted in a one-game suspension.

Since then, the Morant trade rumors have been circulating even though the team has announced they don’t plan to trade the star.

Iisalo also spoke about his relationship with Morant in recent comments made to The Athletic. 

“We have had a lot of dialogue. We see the game in very similar ways. He’s a very intelligent player. He sees things on video; you don’t even have to point it out, he already knows what could have been an option there. And overall, it’s just been a pleasure… I think both Ja and I are very competitive people, and we are both after the same thing, which is winning.”

Iisalo calling coaching Morant “a pleasure” is a bit surprising. The results and what we see from the outside make it seem like this isn’t the case.

Still, Iisalo is saying the right things. If the Grizzlies aren’t going to trade Morant, then he is going to need to figure out a way to get along with the team’s superstar. Praising him in the media is a good start at repairing their relationship.