David Fizdale’s marriage with the Memphis Grizzlies ended acrimoniously last November, when he was fired by the team following a lengthy losing streak. However, it now seems that Fizdale’s split with the Grizzlies was due to the matter of Memphis having to choose between two things: trade Marc Gasol or sack Fizdale. Unfortunately for Fizdale, the Grizzlies’ top management favored Gasol, which then led to the coach’s dismissal, per Marc Berman of the New York Post.
According to a source close to Fizdale briefed on the Grizzlies’ decision, it was ownership having to make a choice — trade their All-Star center Marc Gasol, who has fallen in love with its small-market city, or fire the coach. Their relationship had gotten that bad.
Not a few people were left stunned when David Fizdale was suddenly kicked out of Memphis, despite the fact that the Grizzlies were having a hard time finding their way out of a dark tunnel in the form of an eight-game losing streak. Although it was clear then that Fizdale and Marc Gasol were not on the same page, it was still surprising to learn that the Grizzlies would give up that easily on Fizdale, who was then in only his second season as head coach of the team.
Fizdale is currently unemployed, but he is reportedly being targeted by the Knicks to be New York’s next head coach.
In the 101 games in which called the shots for Memphis, Fizdale managed to come up with a 50-51 coaching record. He went 7-12 in his last season as head coach of the Grizzlies.
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