David Fizdale out as Grizzlies head coach
Photo from Sports Illustrated
The Memphis Grizzlies announced that they have fired head coach David Fizdale. The firing comes after the team's record fell to 7-12 on the season.
According to The Ringer, the firing of Fizdale happens less than 24 hours after Fizdale benched star player Marc Gasol during a loss to the Nets. The relationship between the two has been rocky since the summer with various confrontations driving a wedge between the two of them. The tension with Gasol may have contributed to the decision, but decision itself is still questionable.
Expectations for the Grizzlies were playoffs this year given they made the playoffs the previous season, but in the loaded Western Conference it would have required the entire team to stay healthy. After a promising 5-2 to start the season, the Grizzlies have dropped off significantly posting a 2-10 record since then. Injuries to Mike Conley, Chandler Parsons, JaMychal Green, and Ben McLemore have forced Fizdale to rely heavily on his deeper reserves who may not be good enough to compete at a high enough level with other Western Conference teams. While the drop off is disappointing, it is not entirely a reflection of Fizdale's coaching ability.
According to ESPN, Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace wanted change and did not see the season magically doing so with Fizdale still the head coach. The team since March 1 of last season has only gone 14-26, but have been plagued by injuries. Wallace also defended Gasol from criticism and stated that the team was achieving far below expectations.
Whatever may be the Grizzlies expectations, it could not have expected to continue its 5-2 start as the pace setter for the entire season. Such pace would give them with 58 wins, which based on last year's standings would have landed them the third seed in the West. A result that seems highly unlikely given Memphis' current squad and the other Western Conference teams seen as far superior to them.
The Grizzlies in recent years have developed a reputation of unfairly firing coaches. They fired Lionel Hollins in 2015 despite Hollins winning 56 games, Dave Joerger in 2016 after winning 42 games and making the playoffs with a depleted team, and now Fizdale who in his first season made the playoffs. The constant revolving door of coaches is slowly plunging Memphis into chaos and further away from their goal of championship contention.
As news of the firing made its way around the basketball world, many athletes and fans chiming in on social media. Many people, like LeBron James, expressed disappointment in the firing while others claimed Gasol got Fizdale fired. Fizdale's firing may be surprising, but the Grizzlies recent history with coaches suggests Fizdale was give no room for error.