Memphis Grizzlies Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Pera Liked Fizdale Right Away

May 31st, 2016 at 7:01pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Rockets finished the paperwork for new coach Mike D’Antoni today and are reportedly close to hiring Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik, tweets Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Feigen adds that some contract “language” is holding up the deal for Bzdelik, who is expected to run the defense under D’Antoni. Houston will hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon to introduce D’Antoni. (Twitter link).

Grizzlies owner Robert Pera took an instant liking to new coach David Fizdale during his job interview, according to David Williams of The Commercial Appeal. “I asked him what his goals were for the team, and he didn’t say, ‘Hey, I want to finish in the Top 10’ or anything,” Pera related. “He said ‘Championship.’ … That was one. The second is, as soon as we gave him the job, he’s heading out to the players. He’s visiting [Mike] Conley. He’s setting up meetings.”

Grizzlies Introduce David Fizdale As Coach

May 31st, 2016 at 4:00pm CST by Arthur Hill

David Fizdale plans a full-court press to keep Mike Conley in Memphis, relays Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal. The free agent point guard was among many topics Fizdale addressed this afternoon as he was formally introduced as the new head coach of the Grizzlies. “I’ve spoken to Mike Conley,” Fizdale said. “We had a fantastic conversation, a very energized, open conversation and an honest conversation. He’s going to get sick of me, because I’m going to follow him. I’m going to just follow him everywhere he goes. I’m going to hound him and teach him and collaborate with him and make him feel a part of this thing in a way that only a guy like [Dwyane] Wade can feel, in Miami. That’s my approach with him. I see him being a big part of this thing for a long time.” Fizdale worked with Wade during eight years as an assistant coach with the Heat.

Fizdale was hired from a crowded field of candidates that included Spurs assistants James Borrego and Ettore Messina, Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing, Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts. Memphis also spoke to ex-Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who was the only one other than Fizdale to meet with Grizzlies owner Robert Pera. Fizdale called their session a “fantastic meeting” and said he and Pera have similar philosophies about the game. “We speak the same language,” the new coach said. “He’s about culture. He’s about leadership. He’s about allowing people to do their work, hiring talent and empowering them to do their work. Growth mindset, big-time, like he’s so open-minded to stuff and innovative.”

Fizdale added that he’s in no hurry to put together his staff. It’s not certain if any of former coach Dave Joerger’s assistants will be retained. “We’re going to be very patient and methodical and we’re going to work very closely on this,” Fizdale said, “because I really want input so that we all feel good about this.”

Fizdale doesn’t mind inheriting a veteran team, writes David Williams of The Commercial Appeal. The Grizzlies are among the NBA’s oldest squads and are built around a foundation of Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, who have all been in the league for at least eight seasons. “My most proudest moments of development aren’t with the young guys,” Fizdale said. “It’s with the older guys. We just believed that our old guys could always get better, to have a growth mindset about everyone. If you look at Dwyane Wade, he’s constantly evolved. … LeBron James evolved and developed underneath us. Chris Bosh never shot a 3-point shot — and all of the sudden he’s one of the most deadly 3-point shooting 5 men in the league.”

Marc Gasol Changes Agents

May 30th, 2016 at 1:06pm CST by Luke Adams

Marc Gasol has made a change to his representation, according to Liz Mullen of SportsBusiness Journal, who reports that Octagon Sports has signed the Grizzlies big man. Gasol, who will be represented by agent Alex Saratsis at Octagon, was previously repped by Arn Tellem and Wasserman.

The timing of the move is interesting, since Gasol won’t be signing a new contract anytime soon. Wasserman negotiated a five-year, maximum-salary contract for Gasol less than a year ago, and that deal isn’t set to expire until at least 2019, at which point the former second-round pick will have to exercise or decline a $25.6MM player option.

It’s hard to imagine Gasol being too upset with the max contract negotiated by Wasserman last summer, but perhaps he’s regretting not signing a shorter-term deal that would have allowed him to cash in once the cap increased more significantly. It’s also entirely possible that Gasol just thought it was time for a change.

Gasol, 31, is coming off an injury-shortened season, one in which he was ruled out for the year with a broken foot back in February. He also set or matched career-lows with just 7.0 rebounds per game and a .464 shooting percentage, though most of his other numbers were right in line with what we’ve come to expect from the Memphis center.

Gasol is expected to be ready to go for the 2016/17 season, coming off his foot injury.

Southwest Notes: Bickerstaff, Fizdale, Pachulia, Mavs

May 29th, 2016 at 2:18pm CST by Arthur Hill

Former Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff is being considered for a job on the Grizzlies‘ staff, tweets John Martin of ESPN929.com. A source told Martin that Bickerstaff traveled to Memphis Friday to meet with new coach David Fizdale. Bickerstaff had a 37-34 record with Houston after taking over for Kevin McHale in November. He pulled his name out of consideration in the Rockets’ coaching search before they hired Mike D’Antoni.

There’s more from the Southwest Division:

Fizdale has a reputation as a players’ coach, but that’s because he’s a communicator, not a pushover, writes Tom Schad of The Commercial Appeal. Fizdale spent the past two seasons as an assistant in Miami, where he became known for his directness. “That doesn’t mean you’re always nice. That means you’re true with your players,” former Heat point guard Beno Udrih said in an interview with ESPN 92.9. “I think players appreciate more if coaches, when he needs to be tough, he’s tough to them. And he can communicate in a different way that — picking up his voice — he does that. He has that very good balance to do that.”
The Mavericks hope to improve at center, so it’s likely that free agent Zaza Pachulia will wind up with another team, writes Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News. Pachulia was a pleasant surprise after Dallas acquired him from the Bucks last summer in exchange for a second-round draft pick. He started 69 games and averaged close to a double-double with 8.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per night. The Mavs made a strong play for DeAndre Jordan last summer and are expected to chase free agent centers again. If they get one, they may not be able to afford to keep Pachulia as a backup.
Veteran Charlie Villanueva may also be leaving Dallas after a down shooting season, Sefko writes in a separate piece. Normally an effective stretch four, Villanueva connected on just 27% of his 172 3-point attempts this season. He is only 32, so there’s still a chance he’ll bounce back, but Sefko expects it to be with another organization.
The players the Mavericks target in free agency will provide a clue on the direction the franchise is taking, Sefko writes in a question-and-answer column. The writer says the Lakers’ Jordan Clarkson would be a nice pickup at point guard, but Dallas may not want to live with his mistakes while giving him time to develop. Sefko thinks the Mavericks will pursue veteran free agents who can help them win right away.

Grizzlies Hire David Fizdale As Head Coach

May 29th, 2016 at 2:06pm CST by Luke Adams

SUNDAY, 2:06pm: The hiring is official, the Grizzlies announced today.

THURSDAY, 12:06pm: The Grizzlies and David Fizdale have reached an agreement on a contract that will make the Heat assistant the new head coach in Memphis, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter link). According to Wojnarowski, it will be a four-year deal for Fizdale. Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal adds (via Twitter) that the fourth year will be a team option.

Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images

Fizdale, who turns 42 next month, has been a part of the Heat’s coaching staff since 2008, with the club earning two NBA Championship teams during his tenure. Fizdale previously served as an assistant coach for the Warriors (2003/04) and the Hawks (2004-2008).

The Grizzlies had been seeking a replacement for former coach Dave Joerger, who was fired after requesting permission to interview for other coaching jobs. The Kings hired him last week, giving him a four-year deal worth $16MM, leaving Memphis to scour the market for a new head coach.

In addition to Fizdale, the Grizzlies considered several other candidates for their head coaching vacancy, including Spurs assistants James Borrego and Ettore Messina, Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing, Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts.

The club also conducted at least one interview with Frank Vogel, who spoke to team owner Robert Pera, before he accepted the head coaching job in Orlando. Outside of Vogel, Fizdale is believed to be the only candidate who had an interview with Pera in attendance.

Wojnarowski first reported on Wednesday that Memphis had offered its head coaching position to Fizdale.

The Rockets are now the NBA’s only head team whose head coaching search is ongoing.

Reaction To Hiring of Fizdale

May 27th, 2016 at 9:16pm CST by Eddie Scarito

The reported hiring of David Fizdale as head coach signals that the Grizzlies are looking ahead to their future rather than adding a coach who is geared more toward the current crop of players, Chris Herrington of The Commercial Appeal writes. The scribe also analyzes the team’s offseason ahead, noting that Memphis will likely target depth at guard in the draft and mentions Wade Baldwin, Tyler Ulis and Demetrius Jackson as potential draftees this June.

Grizzlies Working Out Six Prospects On Tuesday

May 27th, 2016 at 1:31pm CST by Luke Adams

The Grizzlies have a workout scheduled on Tuesday, May 31st for the following six players, per a press release from the team: Eli Carter (Boston College), Alex Hamilton (Louisiana Tech), A.J. Hammons (Purdue), Taurean Prince (Baylor), Mike Tobey (Virginia), and Troy Williams (Indiana).

Grizzlies Offer Coaching Post To David Fizdale

May 25th, 2016 at 5:05pm CST by Eddie Scarito

Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images

The Grizzlies have officially offered their vacant head coaching post to David Fizdale, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports (on Twitter). The two sides are currently negotiating contract details with an agreement likely to be reached shortly, Wojnarowski adds.

Fizdale, who turns 42 next month, has been a part of the Heat’s coaching staff since 2008, with the club earning two NBA Championship teams during his tenure. Fizdale previously served as an assistant coach for the Warriors (2003/04) and the Hawks (2004-2008).

The Heat assistant is one of several candidates who have reportedly spoken to the Grizzlies, with Spurs assistants James Borrego and Ettore Messina, Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing, Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts also believed to have been under consideration. Fizdale is the only one of the candidates to score an interview with team owner Robert Pera, who was present during Fizdale’s second meeting with Memphis.

The Grizzlies have been seeking a replacement for former coach Dave Joerger, who was fired after requesting permission to interview for other coaching jobs. The Kings hired him last week, giving him a four-year deal worth $16MM.

David Fizdale Gets Second Interview With Grizzlies

May 25th, 2016 at 7:47am CST by Luke Adams

Heat assistant David Fizdale, who interviewed last week for the Grizzlies’ head coaching job, has progressed to a second meeting with the team, sources tells Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to Stein, team owner Robert Pera will be involved in the second sit-down with Fizdale.

Fizdale, who turns 42 next month, has been a part of the Heat’s coaching staff since 2008, with the club earning two NBA Championship teams during his tenure. Fizdale previously served as an assistant coach for the Warriors (2003/04) and the Hawks (2004-2008).

Fizdale is one of several candidates who have reportedly spoken to the Grizzlies, with Spurs assistants James Borrego and Ettore Messina, Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing, and Trail Blazers assistant Nate Tibbetts also believed to be under consideration. However, there have been no indications that any of those interviewees have met with Memphis more than once, or that their interviews have involved Pera.

One candidate that did meet with Pera was Frank Vogel, who ultimately landed in Orlando, tweets Stein. Based on Stein’s report, it’s not clear whether the Magic’s new coach interviewed with Memphis twice, or whether the Grizzlies owner was present for the first interview. Either way though, Vogel had been considered the frontrunner for the Grizzlies’ job before he accepted Orlando’s offer, so the fact that Pera is now meeting with Fizdale looks like a positive development for the Miami assistant.

Rockets Consider Silas-Hollins Pairing

May 20th, 2016 at 12:52pm CST by Arthur Hill

12:52pm: The Rockets don’t expect to hire a coach this weekend, tweets Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com. The front office wants to take more time to consider its decision.

11:39am: Stephen Silas is getting serious consideration for the Rockets’ head coaching job, according to Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. The Hornets assistant was in Houston for a second interview Thursday and met with team owner Leslie Alexander. If the Rockets hire Silas, they would like to add former Nets coach Lionel Hollins as his top assistant, Feigen reports.

Silas “crushed” his interviews, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, and a Silas-Hollins team is being weighed against a possible pairing of Mike D’Antoni and current Grizzlies assistant Jeff Bzdelik (Twitter link). Raptors assistant Rex Kalamian is a candidate to join the coaching staffs in both Houston and Washington, Wojnarowski adds.

Only 42, Silas already has 16 years of experience as an assistant coach. The son of former NBA player and coach Paul Silas was hired by the Charlotte Hornets in 2000 and has also spent time with the Cavaliers and Warriors. The Rockets have liked Hollins for years and had hoped to add him to Kevin McHale’s staff when Kelvin Sampson left, Feigen tweets, but he was hired in Brooklyn before that could happen.