How Tuomas Iisalo avoids being hypocritical in difficult times

Tuomas Iisalo barely finished addressing the dressing room torn between celebration and concern before he took to the podium to offer a revealing clip of how Memphis Grizzlies are wired. The win over the LA Clippers was assured, but the mood was complicated. I Morant went out with another ankle injury just days later Zach Edey was on the sidelines, casting a shadow over an otherwise encouraging night Jaren Jackson Jr.

For Iisalo, however, the moment called less for lamentation and more for perspective.

“It’s very unfortunate. I repaired the ankle there. He will be evaluated further, but I don’t have anything else to say about it,” Iisalo said. “Hopefully for the best, obviously there for him and for the team, so it’s a bit bittersweet from the win.”

The first-time NBA coach, who led the Grizzlies to the playoffs during a transition period last spring, emphasized that challenges like Ja Morant’s injury are part of the learning process.

“I mean, you’re trying to grow all the time, so whether it’s in Germany, France, Finland or the USA, whatever league you’re in, that’s the idea,” smiled Iisalo. “It would be very hypocritical if I didn’t ask myself to grow when we ask our players to. Everyone has to evolve and try to be better.”

This perspective stems from Iisalo’s unconventional path to the fringes of the NBA. He honed his skills in the Finnish domestic league before taking on coaching roles in France and Germany, where he led Bonn to the 2023 Basketball Champions League title. Through it all, he learned a key lesson about leadership that goes beyond tactics.

“I’ve learned one thing over the years. Always when you have challenging situations, they may feel difficult in the moment, but those are the ones where you really learn something,” Iisalo said. “And you have to come up with solutions. It’s not about me, it’s not about any individual. We’re just all trying to do our jobs, we’re all trying to contribute to the overall goal.”

The Grizzlies will need that collective approach as they await word on Morant’s injury. But if their coach’s reaction to Tuesday’s mixed emotions is any indication, they have a leader who sees obstacles not as setbacks but as invitations to growth.