The Lakers lost a top assistant coach when Jason Kidd agreed to become the new head coach in Dallas. However, it appears Los Angeles has already lined up a replacement for Kidd on Frank Vogel‘s staff.
The Lakers are finalizing a deal to hire David Fizdale as an assistant coach, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). He’ll join a staff that includes Lionel Hollins and Phil Handy, among others.
Fizdale, who began his coaching career in the college ranks in 1998, moved to the NBA in 2003, becoming a Warriors assistant. He subsequently worked as an assistant for the Hawks and Heat before being hired as the head coach of the Grizzlies in 2016. He later had a stint as the head coach of the Knicks.
Fizdale’s time in New York was a disaster — he had a 21-83 (.202) record in one full season and part of a second from 2018-19. However, he earned a reputation as a respected and well-liked assistant during his eight years on Erik Spoelstra‘s staff in Miami, and spent four of those seasons working with LeBron James, making him a logical fit for the Lakers.
According to Wojnarowski (via Twitter), multiple teams pursued Fizdale this offseason, hoping to hire him as a lead assistant. Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link) says Fizdale was on the Cavaliers‘ list of targets, and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link) adds that the Pacers were eyeing the veteran coach too.
Was Fizdale previously unemployed?
Career assistant HC, trash HC. Never could make the proper adjustments during games.
which is why he is not a HC. an assistant that’d be okay
He should be a fine AC. Always has been. But anything else from other teams is a colossal disappointment.
Career LeSocial Justice cheerleader. “You da best king.”
Lakers filling their bald spot.
This guy should thank Lebron every day for how long his career has been.
Lakers will not be champs next season.
They have a better shot than the Knicks
No they will bet next year nets will be champs if they stay healthy
LeGone behind this hiring. It doesn’t matter, they won’t be winning anything with aging superstar and injury prone PF!
LBJ and Wade both said many times that nobody rebounded their misses during shooting practice quite like Fizdale.
This hire puzzles me.. fizdale is more of a defensive minded coach.. which is great, however they have issues on offense.. need to roll out the truck and pick up terry stotts as an asst to run the offense.. portland has alway been a top offensive team but he also ran the mavs offense when they won the ring with dirk and a bunch of role players.. they were one of most efficient offenses.
Ye of little faith. Never, ever question thy LAKERS GM Lebron James.
“Who needs that nonshense?” Boylen screamed into the commode. “I don’ need no more punks ignoring me”, he said, staggering to the big screen TV silently playing Sportscenter. He didn’t need them. He has toughness.