Short-Staffed: Alternatives to J.B. Bickerstaff

The Memphis Grizzlies inked J.B. Bickerstaff to a long-term deal, keeping their head coach hiring in-house. But what did they leave on the table?

The 2017-18 regular season was hardly fair to either of the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coaches. David Fizdale was victim to a combustible situation for both the roster and ownership. J.B. Bickerstaff was cast into the briar patch, piloting a team with no identity and down one star.

Memphis decided not to let its revolving door of coaches spin further this week, locking up Bickerstaff with a three-year deal. If nothing else, the move is indicative of stability; something rare for this team in recent months.

While Bickerstaff’s resumé as a head coach is brief and underwhelming, he’s a veteran assistant who’s familiar with the Memphis Grizzlies’ organization. He has two seasons of relationship growth with their young roster, and the continuity should be favorable.

Bickerstaff is very much like a rookie player, with a wide range of catalysts and outcomes. Only time will tell if he’s the right man for this job. In the meantime, what alternatives did the Grizzlies ignore in maintaining the status quo?

David Fizdale, free agent

What, too soon?

George Karl, free agent

Karl’s been out of work since 2016 after he (predictably) flamed out in Sacramento upon clashing with DeMarcus Cousins and others. Despite the recency effect, he’s one of the most pedigreed coaches alive; a 27-year veteran with 1175 wins (sixth all-time).

But Karl’s reputation is also that of an old-school hard-ass. Such a working dynamic already failed Lionel Hollins with Memphis’ ownership. It also may not have been ideal for a young roster in the midst of finding itself.

Nick Nurse, Raptors assistant

While Dwayne Casey sits among the front runners for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award, one of his assistants is the unsung hero. It was Nurse who largely re-engineered Toronto’s offense, ushering them into modern basketball.

As a result, the iso-ball and mid-range gunslinging that plagued Raptors teams past was just that – the past. Toronto leapt from 22nd to 5th in 3-point attempt rate, and from dead last to 11th in assist %.

The Raptors thus had their best season ever, and Nurse could be in line for a head coaching gig. A young, re-tooling team like Memphis would’ve been a great spot for him to start.

Jerry Stackhouse, Raptors 905 head coach

Also churned out from the Raptors’ coaching system is Stackhouse, who spent a season on Toronto’s bench before taking the head job with their G-League affiliate. He led Raptors 905 to the 2016-17 title, won Coach of the Year, and is now linked to several NBA teams‘ openings.

When a longtime player like Stackhouse produces such early returns as a coach, his services will naturally be in high demand. But if Stack’s interviewing with franchises as dysfunctional as the Magic, Knicks and Hornets, Memphis certainly wasn’t out of the question.

Stephen Silas, Hornets assistant

Few non-players have had as much exposure to the NBA as Silas; a scout and assistant of 19 seasons. Even deeper, he grew up amidst the league, as the son of former All-Star, champion and longtime coach Paul Silas.

Silas has been groomed for a head coaching gig practically his entire life, and can count Steph Curry among his success stories. Experienced, and with the respect of players and coaches alike, his transition to the new job would likely be smoother than most.

Ettore Messina, Spurs assistant

Carrying on the storied Spurs tradition of cultivating imported talent, Messina is a true basketball globetrotter. His resume spans almost thirty years, with stints in North America, Russia, Italy and Spain. He’s ran up an absolutely stupid number of accolades over that time; championships and COYs litter his every stop.

Messina led the Spurs recently after Gregg Popovich’s wife tragically passed away. If filling Pop’s shoes for a playoff game is a barometer, replacing a much lesser coach won’t be too difficult.

Jeff Van Gundy, free agent

JVG seems pretty comfy in the broadcasting booth. An annual fixture on “Best Available Coaches” lists, he hasn’t held an NBA job in over a decade, having recently taken on head coaching duties for USA Basketball.

Perhaps he’s content bantering with Mike Breen. Offers better than Memphis’ have come across his table and been turned down. But a franchise of #GNG nostalgia would’ve been an interesting fit for Van Gundy’s defense-first mentality.