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Memphis Grizzlies: Firing David Fizdale was a colossal mistake

By Parker Fleming

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 1: Head Coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies coaches during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 1, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 1: Head Coach David Fizdale of the Memphis Grizzlies coaches during the game against the Orlando Magic on November 1, 2017 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies are much worse off without David Fizdale, so firing him was a disastrous mistake for this franchise.

David Fizdale had a clear set vision for the Memphis Grizzlies. He was committed to excellence, trying to establish a championship mentality. In the process, he drove away Tony Allen and Zach Randolph to create a more versatile, faster lineup to fit the modern NBA.

At the beginning of the season, it looked like the right move. The Grizzlies came out to a nice 5-1 start, and everything looked great. The bench was absolutely awesome. Marc Gasol was playing like an All-Star, and the Grizzlies looked like they were on their way to their eighth straight playoff appearance.

Then, Mike Conley got hurt, and it ruined everything.

As their star point guard went down, they started a long losing streak. After they lost their eighth straight game to the lowly Brooklyn Nets, they shocked the world by firing David Fizdale.

Ironically enough, they fired him after he benched Marc Gasol in the fourth quarter of the Nets game — which pushed their losing streak to eight. The move was designed to buck “trends,” hoping JB Bickerstaff can rekindle that Rocket magic.

Though they lost 26 of the last 40 games he coached, this team looks significantly worse without him. The offense lacks movement and flow, and the defense isn’t nearly as strong.

Granted, not having Mike Conley is a huge difference. However, what is Bickerstaff doing that Fizdale couldn’t do?

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Firing Fizdale has ultimately put the Grizzlies in a bigger pickle. Right now, they look significantly worse, as their lottery odds look better and better by the day. They lack an identity or a direction — two things Fizdale established at day one. In addition, they’re forced to a situation where they have to hire either a coach that wasn’t successful as an interim or their fifth coach since the 2012-13 season.

All this talk about “trends,” meanwhile the Grizzlies are trending downwards without Fizdale. Take that for data?

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