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Memphis Grizzlies: Where should the blame fall?

By Parker Fleming

MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 31: General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, Chris Wallace introduces David Fizdale as head coach during a press conference on May 31, 2016 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 31: General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, Chris Wallace introduces David Fizdale as head coach during a press conference on May 31, 2016 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 24: Coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 24, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 24: Coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Denver Nuggets on November 24, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Case for Dave Fizdale

The victim of the mess.

Dave Fizdale is the coach. If the team isn’t put in a position to win, it’s on him. Contrary to their hot start, the Grizzlies weren’t put in a position to win.

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The offensive sets were meh. His rotations were questionable. He failed to call timeouts when needed — something that all the great coaches know how to do.

Finally, against the Nets, he essentially put his pride before the team by benching Marc Gasol. As a result, he lost the game and his job.

Case against Dave Fizdale

It was too early to judge.

Even in his short time, he didn’t overachieve, but you saw something. He unleashed new dimensions of his best player — a Marc Gasol that shoots 3’s and an aggressive Mike Conley. He transformed JaMychal Green into a key weapon as the team’s Swiss army knife. He got the most out of a 40-year old Vince Carter, a rejuvenated Tyreke Evans and rookie Dillon Brooks.

He also got dealt a bad hand with his roster. Aside from the top half of the roster, you can make a case why each player should either be out of the league or in the G-League. That’s never a coach’s fault.

Blame: 25 percent

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