The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to a four-year deal with Miami Heat assistant David Fizdale to become their new coach, Yahoo Sports reports. Fizdale and Spurs assistant James Borrego had been the lead candidates to replace Dave Joerger, who the franchise parted ways with after a year of acrimony and frustration. Joerger was hired by the Kings earlier this month.
Fizdale, 41, has been an NBA assistant for the past 14 seasons, and Miami's lead assistant during their NBA championship runs with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. His name has been constantly mentioned for coaching vacancies but he always resisted overtures.
Fizdale is widely respected and brings the Grizzlies a respectable hire after missing out on Frank Vogel, who elected to take the Magic job instead. How he handles a roster that seems in transition will be his first challenge. Point guard Mike Conley is an unrestricted free agent, and there's noise he may leave Memphis, though the Grizzlies remain confident he'll re-sign.
What kind of offense Fizdale builds will also be interesting, and how much of an impact Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra's input will have on him. Expect the Grizzlies to put defense first once again. If Fizdale can get the Grizzlies to buy in, there's no reason to think they'll slip from the top five in the West.
