David Fizdale Leads An Elite Coaching Staff
The Memphis Grizzlies are bound to be one of the better teams in the West. Will David Fizdale’s elite staff help them take the next step?
The word “elite” is tossed around in the NBA nearly every day. Elite shooters. Elite scorers. Elite defenders. Elite teams. You never hear about an “elite” coaching staff, though. Is it fair to call David Fizdale’s coaching staff “elite.”
Keith Smart has been a head coach in the NBA before. He has coached the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. In addition, he is leaving the Miami Heat staff, where he assisted in game management.
Having an experienced head coach, such as Smart, will help Fizdale transition from assistant coach to full-time head coach.
Nick Van Exel is a former All-Star point guard who recently coached in the D-League for Texas Legends. He has also worked for the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. Van Exel could be the perfect assistant to help Mike Conley propel his game to All-Star level.
He should also have some impact in the development of rookie guards Wade Baldwin IV and Andrew Harrison.
J.B. Bickerstaff is the main guy on Fizdale’s coaching staff. In a role as “associate head coach,” Bickerstaff’s ability to relate to players could be a major key in the evolution from “ground-and-pound” to “modern NBA.”
He also played a big part in signing new starting small forward Chandler Parsons. Bickerstaff could land a head coaching job in this league. He proved it when he weathered the storm by leading the dysfunctional Rockets to the playoffs.
Having a young former head coach with playoff experience is a real difference maker for this coach staff.
Fizdale was highly regarded as one of the best assistants in the league and as one of the best when it comes to player development. This season will be interesting to see how the Grizzlies transform into a more modern NBA team.
In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Matt Moore, Fizdale discussed what he wants to change offensively for this team. He plans to play faster and capitalize on easy baskets.
Fizdale is also pushing to give Conley a more prominent role in the offense in hopes that it leads to an All-Star berth. He wants to use Parsons in the same way, or usage, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were used.
With increased usage, Parsons could raise his scoring average close to 20 points a game, something the Grizzlies have desperately been needing the past several years.
In regards to player development, it will be interesting to see how Fizdale uses his young guys this year. James Ennis and Troy Daniels were signed as 3-point shooters. Putting them in the right situations could maximize their production and impact on this roster.
Grizzlies fans may get to see future point guard Baldwin earlier than expected, if a veteran backup point guard is not signed. Young bigs Jarell Martin and JaMychal Green could start the season with an expanded, consistent 3-point shooting touch.
Deyonta Davis may be more ready than we expected.
This Grizzlies team should be a playoff team. If David Fizdale and company are able to maximize each player’s production, Memphis may be a dark horse contender in the Western Conference.