David Fizdale to Grizzlies: Latest Contract Details, Analysis and Reaction
The Memphis Grizzlies have given David Fizdale his first NBA head coaching opportunity.
The Grizzlies announced the move on May 29 after Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported on May 26 that the longtime Miami Heat assistant coach and the franchise had reached an agreement on a four-year deal.
Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal provided contract details Wednesday:
Fizdale spoke about the opportunity in a statement released by the Grizzlies:
"I am extremely excited to be in Memphis and really looking forward to building a legacy with this talented group of players. In my career, I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the greatest coaches and players in the NBA and am ready for this challenge. I am not only here to contribute to an organization that has built a history of winning, I am here to win it all and bring the wonderful people of Memphis their first Championship Parade down Beale Street. I am truly honored that Robert Pera, Chris Wallace and the organization felt that I am the right man to lead us forward and I would like to thank them for their confidence and this great opportunity.
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The Grizzlies fired coach Dave Joerger following the team's first-round playoff loss to the San Antonio Spurs.
Marc Stein of ESPN.com previously reported that Fizdale "had moved into the lead in Memphis' fluid search, which initially targeted former Indiana Pacers coach Frank Vogel," who instead took the head job with the Orlando Magic.
Stein noted Fizdale's "strong first interview" with the Grizzlies is what merited a closer look and then a second meeting with the front office during the search. Stein said Fizdale and San Antonio Spurs assistant coach James Borrego were co-finalists for the Memphis position.
Fizdale will have a challenging job ahead after the Grizzlies used an NBA-record 28 players during the 2015-16 campaign because of injuries. Chief among the casualties were big man Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley, which essentially ended any realistic chances Memphis had at competing in the playoffs against the best the Western Conference had to offer.
Memphis has reached the postseason the last six years, but Conley is a free agent, and Gasol (31) and power forward Zach Randolph (34) are both on the other side of their 30th birthdays.
Chris Mannix of The Vertical suggested Fizdale is up for the challenge: "Always surprised me that Fizdale didn't get more looks. Miami's lead assistant during a very successful Heat run."
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Fizdale was the Heat's assistant head coach the past two seasons and was with them for a total of eight years. He was also an assistant for the Golden State Warriors for one year and the Atlanta Hawks for four.
The Heat reached four straight NBA Finals with Fizdale on the bench alongside head coach Erik Spoelstra from 2010 to 2014 and won back-to-back rings in 2012 and 2013. They also made the playoffs seven times in eight years with Fizdale on the staff:
| 2008-09 | 43-39 | Lost First Round |
| 2009-10 | 47-35 | Lost First Round |
| 2010-11 | 58-24 | Lost NBA Finals |
| 2011-12 | 46-20 | Won NBA Finals |
| 2012-13 | 66-16 | Won NBA Finals |
| 2013-14 | 54-28 | Lost NBA Finals |
| 2014-15 | 37-45 | |
| 2015-16 | 48-34 | Lost Second Round |
Spoelstra endorsed the former assistant, per Jackson: "Fiz is a great basketball coach, a dear friend of mine. He is a tremendous teacher of the game...a tremendous basketball mind."
Fizdale will look to use his experience to succeed with a Grizzlies squad that is attempting to bounce back from a disappointing postseason exit.
