A bad start to the season has cost David Fizdale his head coaching job, as the Memphis Grizzlies decided to fire him after the team went 7-12 in its first 19 games. Memphis general manager Chris Wallace and team owner Robert J. Pera have both released statements with regards to the team management relieving Fizdale of his head coaching duties, via Grizzlies’ official website.
“After a thorough evaluation, I decided a change in course was necessary to move forward and provide the team and organization its best chance at success this season and beyond,” Wallace said. “Coach Fizdale represented the Grizzlies and City of Memphis proudly, and we wish him well as he continues his career.”
“Coach Fizdale worked tirelessly to achieve on-court success, and for that, we are grateful. We wish him and his family all the best in the future,” Grizzlies Controlling Owner Robert J. Pera said. “We remain focused on achieving sustainable, long-term success.”
This decision was something that doesn’t come as a big shock, considering that the Grizzlies haven’t won in over three weeks, causing the team to drift outside of the playoff picture. The Grizzlies have been missing star point guard Mike Conley of late due to an Achilles injury, but the Grizzlies are still not that bad to lose all of their last six games minus Conley. Over that stretch, the Grizzlies have lost to teams such as the Dallas Mavericks and the Brooklyn Nets. The Grizzlies are 0-8 in their last eight games.
That 98-88 loss to the Nets on Sunday appeared to be the final straw for Fizdale, whose decision to bench Marc Gasol in the entire fourth quarter didn’t seem to sit well with a lot of people in the organization, including Gasol of course.
In the meantime, the Grizzlies will put assistant head coach J.B. Bickerstaff as the interim head coach of the team. The Grizzlies will play their first game without Fizdale this Wednesday on the road against the San Antonio Spurs.
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