In a stunning move, the Memphis Grizzlies fired their coach David Fizdale on Monday, and no one can quite figure out why. It was a slow start, yes, but they've made the playoffs the last eight seasons. The 7-12 Grizzlies dropped the hammer, and LeBron James led the Twitter Brigade of people asking "what in the world just happened?"
I need some answers. Feels like my man was a fall guy
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 27, 2017
A fall guy for what, you ask? Who really knows. There have been reports of Fizdale and star Marc Gasol butting heads, and when a small market team's star is unhappy they'll usually win out, but of course that's speculation. The cold hard facts boil down to no one knowing the cold hard facts, but that isn't going to stop Twitter from talking about this insanity with the confidence of someone saying the sky is blue.
Although in some cases, this just seemed a bit too bizarre to believe.
David Fizdale firing was so stunning I had to check, double-check & triple-check Woj's Twitter account to make sure it was legit. I then made sure it was a legit blue check, went over to Woj's Twitter page & scrolled down again because I didn't want to be duped by a fake account
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) November 27, 2017
Wow smh🤦🏽♂️ just wow!!!
— Vince Carter (@mrvincecarter15) November 27, 2017
David Fizdale is out as the Memphis Grizzlies coach. Let's remember his legendary "Take that for data" press conference.pic.twitter.com/SPZw9Yd3Lm
— The Shadow League (@ShadowLeagueTSL) November 27, 2017
This league Boi!!!! https://t.co/vueMV0diZe
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) November 27, 2017
I need answers!!! WTF https://t.co/z39oNRQok0
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 27, 2017
McD trying to get a hold of Fizdale like pic.twitter.com/8siUjhHnXk
— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) November 27, 2017
There’s 2 types of people:
— 🎅🏼ThunderNewsDaily🎅🏼 (@ThunderND) November 27, 2017
Those who want Fizdale, an extremely passionate coach, to come and coach the most passionate player in the league.
And then there’s those who are wrong.
Take that for data!
Some others got into the Cyber Monday spirit all of a sudden.
FLASH SALE!!!
— Fat Kid Deals (@FatKidDeals) November 27, 2017
David Fizdale signed photo for $25!!https://t.co/SSChHpuPkR pic.twitter.com/4FnPtrvWss
And speculation has already run rampant on where he'll end up.
I'm really excited for David Fizdale coaching the Bucks.
— Adam Fromal (@fromal09) November 27, 2017
*wouldn't mind if fizdale found his way to the lakers as an assistant coach next season*
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) November 27, 2017
Of course, it isn't a Fizdale "in memoriam" without posting his famous "take that for data" press conference.
David Fizdale's Memphis legacy: "TAKE THAT FOR DATA!" pic.twitter.com/xuwtG8QRFV
— The Ringer (@ringer) November 27, 2017
David Fizdale is OUT as the coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. Who saw that coming? https://t.co/QmZngipw27 pic.twitter.com/oPexFgyhS3
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 27, 2017
The bottom line is that nobody knows what the final straw was. Maybe it was the slow start, maybe it was irreconcilable differences between coach and player. Whatever the case, The Grizzlies have to move on to universal confusion and scorn from the NBA world. Maybe Fizdale was a fall guy, but it feels unlikely that he'll be falling for long.