The Memphis Grizzlies fired David Fizdale in November last season and Marc Gasol reportedly played a big role in the move.
David Fizdale benched Marc Gasol in the fourth quarter during a loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Gasol wasn’t happy and spoke to reporters about the situation in the post-game locker room. The two reportedly had a “complex” relationship.
Sunday will be the first time Marc Gasol and David Fizdale cross paths since that firing. The New York Knicks take on the Grizzlies at at FedEx Forum. Gasol says he and Fizdale won't hug it out, but that the two men did talk on the phone over the summer.
Gasol also admits that Fizdale made him a better player during their time together.
“Yeah, we spoke and we let each other know how we felt and we moved on,” Gasol said, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “Private conversations are to remain private. The only thing is you live, you learn and you move on and things don’t happen again. To me, that’s what’s important is we both learn from last season. We’re both better professionals, better people and that’s what the most important thing.
“Without a doubt he made me better. And I’m a better player because of David, too. I can say that 100 percent. Even though last year was really tough for everyone, I’m a better player this year than I was last year and a lot had to do with him.”
The Grizzlies and Knicks are currently headed in opposite directions. Memphis is 12-6 and has the best record in the Western Conference, while New York is 6-14 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
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