Rift Between Memphis Grizzlies, David Fizdale Led to Win-Win Situation

David Fizdale returns to Tennessee for the first time since being ousted from head coaching duties with the Memphis Grizzlies. One year later, both parties found solid ground.

On Sunday, the New York Knicks’ David Fizdale — in his first season as their head coach — returns to Memphis, Tennessee to pay a visit to the Memphis Grizzlies.

This is the first matchup between a Fizdale-led team and the Grizzlies since he was relieved of his head coaching duties on November 27th, 2017.

At that point in time, there was a rift between Marc Gasol and David Fizdale. The two guys clearly did not see eye-to-eye, and after starting the season with a league-best 5-1 record, things quickly began to take a turn for the worst.

The Grizzlies made the executive decision once the team’s losing streak reached eight games. Mike Conley being shut down for health recovery reasons played a huge role in the squad’s downfall, but the Front Office did not want to aggravate its three-time NBA All-Star center, Gasol. They sided with their player rather than the coach, as is the case in most similar instances in the NBA.

This split could have been tragic for all parties involved. For a short while, things continued to spiral out of control for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Eight losses did not mark the end of that particular losing streak. It reached 11. Though Marc Gasol boasted rather decent stats in his 10th NBA season with 17.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game, the Grizzlies sank within the Western Conference standings. They finished next to last place in the West with a 22-60 overall record.

Though it was a miserable season to watch, the Grizzlies landed the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. This turned out to be the addition of 19-year-old big man Jaren Jackson Jr. This was more than a consolation prize for Memphis performing so horribly in the 2017-18 season.

Also during the offseason of 2018, it did not take long for David Fizdale to find a new head coaching gig. Immediately following his firing from his role in Memphis, he had the support of opposing players — some of which were the best the league has seen. That propeled him to his new job as the Knicks’ head coach.

The 2018-19 season marks a completely new beginning for the Memphis Grizzlies (Marc Gasol included) and David Fizdale. Through the first month and a half of regular season action, both parties are doing well.

Heading into Sunday’s contest versus the New York Knicks, Memphis is tied for first place in the Western Conference at a 12-6 mark. Gasol has been a huge factor — arguably the team’s Most Valuable Player alongside Conley — and playing some of the best basketball of his life.

For Fizdale, he is still becoming comfortable in his new head coaching role, and he has a handful of talented pieces to work with.

The Knicks’ second round Draft pick, Mitchell Robinson, ranks first in blocks, first in field goal percentage, and fifth in steals amongst all NBA rookies.

Undrafted rookie Allonzo Trier is turning heads in New York’s favor thus far, already achieving a single-game performance of 25 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.

Plus, he has first round pick Kevin Knox in his arsenal in addition to the team’s core of Kristaps Porzingis (currently injured) and Tim Hardaway, Jr.

Fizdale has his work cut out for him with a young roster, but the advantage is that he can mold these players to fit the system he wants to run in New York.

All in all, the Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol, and David Fizdale have found greener pastures since this time last year. Rarely does a significant change in the NBA result in a win-win situation.