Memphis Grizzlies: Time to end where promise begins
On Tuesday afternoon, former Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach David Fizdale became a New York Knick, and it is alarming.
It seems to be a trend with players that come through Memphis, and go on else where to succeed. For example there were 11 former Grizzlies in the playoffs this season alone.
It is a weird problem, and something that I have not quite figured out. I can understand Cavaliers forward Jeff Green, but what about the others. Why didn’t they last? It seemed like Rudy Gay was the first domino, and then Wayne Ellington, then the rest is history. If Lance Stephenson isn’t reborn in Memphis in 2015, does he find his way back to Indiana? Next season, pay attention to the opponents and the former Grizzlies on their roster.
It was probably for the better, but looking back the Grizzlies either were not patient with player development, or the guys that had come through just weren’t ready, but got their feet wet in the 901, which brings me to David Fizdale.
I can honestly say one of the most over hyped coaches coming into a season, that so much was over looked for a rookie head coach. His degree in Mass Communications was key with dealing with media day in-and-out, but it only got him so far. How many games was he just out coached? Plenty, but as a rookie head coach that can smooth talk, it did not get noticed, until this past season. I remember hearing the producer of The Chris Vernon Show Jon Roser yell, “he always gets out coached by this guy!” Who is this guy? Rick Carlisle. Remember when Memphis had the chance to end that five or six game skid, Fizdale blew that, and while he never admitted it, that Harrison Barnes three should not have happened.
Not regretting where we are now, I just wish I, along with others would’ve noticed sooner. A 17- point lead in the fourth dies on a Barnes miracle game winner. Fizdale gets exposed, the Grizzlies drop their sixth or seventh, and he is all but out the door at this point. Why do you think Marc Gasol wanted a “real leader?”
Memphis has been a breeding ground for NBA talent for years, and it is alarming to me that now Fizdale sits in New York, and has yet to say a word about what happened here. Nothing. We haven’t heard a word. He got his feet wet, right? While I wish Fizdale the best, he needs to be thankful there are no veteran leaders up there in New York who would call him on his talk.
While the Grizzlies went to the playoffs for seven straight years, so much talent has fell through the cracks. If you remember closely, if the Grizzlies pick up Stephenson’s option into 2016, he could’ve done damage in the scoring department. A lot of ‘what if’s,’ but it is something to think about. Ellington, Gay, Stephenson, James Johnson, and now Fizdale along with many others got their start here, in the hoop city.
It is time to bring it back. Bring back the towels, hit on this draft pick, hit in free agency, and then stick with those guys until they show you otherwise. The nucleus is there, just bring in talent, and then be behind those guys.