Mike Conley Thanked David Fizdale for Rant, Said Grizzlies Players Will Pay Fine

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley thanked head coach David Fizdale for his postgame rant about the officiating following the team's Game 2 playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night and told the coach the players would cover his fine.

Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal provided details of the exchange, which happened early Tuesday after a 96-82 road defeat left the Grizz in a 2-0 series hole.

On Wednesday after practice, Conley commented on Game 2, Fizdale's remarks and the decision to help pay the fine: 

Fizdale spoke out to question how the Grizzlies finished the contest with 15 free-throw attempts compared to 32 for the Spurs, led by a 19-of-19 day for superstar Kawhi Leonard. He mentioned Conley and forward Zach Randolph as part of his fiery remarks:

Unsurprisingly, in response to the incident, the NBA announced Wednesday the Memphis coach received a $30,000 fine for "public criticism of the officiating."

While Fizdale's complaint about the lack of calls had merit, the outburst felt mostly like a calculated move with an eye toward helping the Grizzlies get more calls as the series shifts to the FedExForum for Game 3 on Thursday night.

The 42-year-old first-time head coach has been through playoff battles before. He served as the assistant coach with the Miami Heat during their 2012 and 2013 NBA championship runs. He knows sometimes the only way to get a point across is through the media, even when a fine is the end result.

Game 3 is a virtual must-win situation for the Grizzlies against the second-seeded Spurs. A few more trips to the free-throw line could help the underdogs get back into the first-round series.

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