The 2018-19 season is already promising for the Memphis Grizzlies, and we are still a long ways away from the start of it.
Last season Marc Gasol and David Fizdale got into it, and upper management was forced to make a decision on keeping one of them, so they decided to fire Fizdale.
Gasol told The Commercial Appeal that he is happy with the hiring of J.B. Bickerstaff and that he has earned his chance to lead the team.
“J.B. deserves a real shot at this without any restrictions,” Gasol told The Commercial Appeal early Wednesday. “He has earned it.”
“He’s always so positive. He always helps me understand, ‘Do your job. Control what you can control and the rest will take care of itself.’ Our communication has been really good,” Gasol said. “We’re both going in the same direction. And that’s important.”
That is something that Gasol and Fizdale never had and that led to their strained relationship which ultimately saw Fizdale being let go.
Bickerstaff led the Grizzlies to a regular season record of 22-60 but he didn't have a ton to work with given the injuries the team endured.
The one thing the team did well was to compete every night, and down the stretch of the season they pulled off a few upsets that no one expected.
For Bickerstaff, he has really enjoyed his relationship with Gasol, and he has felt the support from his corner since day one.
“He was in my corner from day one. Whatever I’d ask him to do, he’d do it to the best of his ability.” -Bickerstaff on Gasol
— 929ESPN (@929espn) May 2, 2018
It is still to be seen if Bickerstaff will be able to lead the Grizzlies to success but for now, it seems that there is at least a better relationship between the players and the coach.
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