Jahvon Quinerly is The Conductor

The Oxford English Dictionary defines “conductor” as “a person who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir.” We can all agree basketball has a similar beauty to an orchestra or choir. So, the term “conductor” certainly applies in a basketball sense as well.

Jahvon Quinerly is the Memphis Tigers’ conductor.

Let’s go back to Oxford, MS. 17 seconds left. Memphis down two against bitter rival Ole Miss. Up to this point, Jahvon Quinerly had only seven points on 2 for 11 shooting. In a game where he’s expected to excel, a former Alabama player with experience in hostile SEC arenas, JQ’s performance thus far was disappointing. Nevertheless, he had the ball with Memphis in need of a bucket to tie or take the lead.

David Jones inbounded the ball. Jahvon trotted up the right side of the court crossing the half-court line. Jones, Jayhlon Young, and Caleb Mills dispersed to the left side as Nicholas Jourdain ran up to set a ball screen on JQ’s man with hopes of forcing a switch or giving JQ space to operate. Neither happened. No switch. No ball screen either – credit Ole Miss’s defense there. So, Jourdain retreated to the top of the 3-point line leaving JQ on an island on the right wing.

10.4 seconds left. After a few dribble moves, he drove left into the middle of the defense and forced a tough lefty hook over an outstretched arm. It banked off the backboard, didn’t draw rim, and Ole Miss escaped with a victory. JQ’s iconic Memphis moment would have to wait. This loss was a bigger gut punch than the Villanova loss in Atlantis.

Should David Jones have taken the last shot? Yes. But I don’t have an issue with JQ shooting there. He was brought in for those moments. I was more interested in how Jahvon would respond after his worst game as a Tiger and if Penny would still trust him to run the offense as he should.

For the 1st half of the VCU game, Jahvon was a non-factor with only four points and three turnovers. The 2nd half was a different story. He started the half with seven of the Tigers’ first nine points. Then, with Memphis in another tight game on the road, Quinerly reminded everyone exactly who he is.

3:30 left. Pull up three. Splash. 67 all.

Down 69-70. 55 seconds left. Driving lay up. Count it. 71-70.

Down 71-72. 20 seconds left. JQ found Malcolm Dandridge who drew the foul and hit one of two free throws. 72 all. Overtime.

But Jahvon wasn’t done. After driving the baseline, he found Jaykwon Walton for a three-ball, corner pocket to start extra time. Memphis didn’t look back. JQ methodically ran the offense and hit four big free throws to close the game. This was The Conductor at his best. With a ranked Texas A&M squad up next, he needed to carry this momentum into another SEC stadium.

Just eight days after his worst game as a Tiger came his best. 24 points on 8-13 shooting, five assists, four rebounds, one steal, and just one turnover. Masterful. Jahvon was everything you could ask for in the win.

Throughout the game, I did a little experiment. I made note of every offensive possession where JQ was in the game and brought the ball up the floor and every possession that was started by JQ that led to a good shot or a drawn foul. I also counted every possession where someone else brought the ball up and initiated offense and each instance that led to a turnover or bad shot.

Quinerly initiated the offense 43 times leading to a good shot or drawn foul 31 times. All other players, 24 times that led to 11 bad shots or turnovers. Look, we know David Jones was and is incredible. But this is Jahvon Quinerly’s offense to conduct.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve said this many times before. He shouldn’t have the same green light as Kendric Davis did. KD had a 31.9% usage rate, while JQ’s sits at 20.7. That ranks 3rd amongst Tigers who have played over 100 minutes only to Jordan Brown (25.5%, we’ll see how that holds up…) and David Jones (29.7%). Knowing DJ is one of the best scorers in the country, he should continue to lead Memphis in usage rate. He’s been insane. I just want JQ’s usage rate to rise closer to 22-23% once the season ends.

After the first seven games, it was clear Memphis needed an offensive identity and a true leader to run the offense. Even with David Jones scoring at a crazy rate, I held strong to my belief that the leader had to be Jahvon Quinerly. The VCU and Texas A&M games are proof of this. Nobody on the roster has the same level of composure throughout the 40-minute symphony as The Conductor.

The offensive philosophy moving forward is simple.

Let David Jones cook.

Let Jahvon Quinerly conduct.