Why Coach Fizdale is my new BFF (in my head)
The Memphis Grizzlies introduced their new head coach, David Fizdale, to local media on Tuesday. I had the opportunity to be in that number, and I was glad. See, I didn’t know Coach Fizdale from a ham sandwich before Tuesday. However, the 30 minutes that he spent with the media let me know he is going to be cooler than a polar bear’s toenails with me.
Here’s 10 reasons why Coach Fizdale is my new BFF in my head:
He has a sense of humor.
There was chatter among the media before the press conference started. Chatter ceased once the door opened. The first time the door opened his wife, his mother, his son and his agent entered. So, the second time it opened, we all knew it was him. An awkward silence fell upon the room as he entered. So he broke that silence by asking how everyone was and acknowledging that it was “kind of tense” in the room. From that, the silence was broken with little chuckles and the press conference began.
He didn’t leave it there though. General Manager Chris Wallace jokingly introduced him as Juwan Howard. He laughed about that little snafu in The Commercial Appeal that literally made me cringe last week, and went on to say how much he admired Juwan Howard, so he didn’t see it as a slight at all.
He’s a family man.
Coach Fizdale brought his wife, his mother and his son with him to his introductory press conference. I get his wife. I get his son. I was elated to see his mom though. I was tickled pink to see his wife and his mom so connected. His wife was quite doting to her mother in law, and she in turn was quite motherly towards her daughter in law as well. They even took a selfie.
Coach Fizdale on his family:
These three people in front have done more for me as a man, in developing me as a man, and I just can’t thank them enough.
He remembers where he came from.
Coach Fizdale was careful to start from the beginning of his career thanking those coaches who have hired, mentored, befriended and become like family to him along the way. In addition, he also thanked players that he’s coached and helped to develop along the way giving special thanks to Miami Heat captains Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem. He also basically gave the “charge it to my head and not my heart” disclaimer without saying it by acknowledging that he realizes he didn’t get to this point in his life without the help of others.
Coach Fizdale to the Miami Heat organization:
Love you. I’ll miss you. And when we play you, I’m coming after you.
He wants to win.
Coach Fizdale comes from an elite organization. He comes from an organization that has an interesting blend of seasoned and young players, much like the Grizzlies. He’s won two championship rings with the Miami Heat. He knows what success feels like, and he seems like he’s itching to get there again. He was not at all coy about his ultimate goal for this franchise.
I didn’t leave Miami and that beautiful beach and all that wonderful water to come here and lose. I came here to win, and I came here to be a big part of this community.
The goal is to win a title.
Note: he could’ve thrown the mic down and walked out the room at that point, and it would have been okay with me.
He wants to be more than just our coach; he and his wife want to be connected to our city.
Coach Fizdale was wearing a navy blue and green St. Jude tie. He and his wife Natasha have already been house hunting in the city. They want to get settled and get to work, he said. He wants to be out and about and visible in the city. He made an appearance on the field at the Memphis Redbirds game on Tuesday night and threw out the first pitch. His wife has already been interacting on social media, which people in Memphis love. Our team is like our family, and they seem to be ready to bring a dish to the potluck.
He understands what this franchise is built on.
He wants to help this team capitalize on its strengths rather than trying to mimic others. He realizes that this isn’t a Golden State Warriors team; they’re not running and gunning. They’re not shooting the lights out of the arena with threes. They are a defensive minded team. They have what Coach Fizdale described simply as toughness. He believes he can speed up the pace, and he plans to space the floor differently. Ultimately, though, he wants to allow the defense to create offense.
He sees value in the Core Four.
There are so many pundits that believe it’s time to blow this core group up. So many people believe this team has gotten too old to do anything else together. Many feel it’s time to go ahead and throw Mike Conley out, that Marc Gasol is going to be ruined by his injury and that it’s time to put Zach Randolph and Tony Allen out to pasture. Interestingly enough, Coach Fizdale is not looking for a rebuild. He believes that this team already has “winning ingredients in place”. He specifically named each one of those ingredients by name: Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen.
I think as soon as you think a guy can’t get any better then you should move on from that guy. I just don’t see anybody on our roster that way. I think Marc can get better in some areas and can be used in some ways that can really help our team. Same with Zach. I really want to utilize Tony Allen in some dynamic ways. I just see a grown-up, experienced, championship Justice Winslow right there. This guy is seasoned and hungry, and I can just see ways to use him. Mike Conley, I’m going to put in so many dynamic situations to use his skill set and put him in a position to really have an incredible year.
He agrees with a fact that I’ve been arguing for years: Mike Conley is a TRUE point guard.
The word that Coach Fizdale actually used was “pure”. He talked about how the point guard in the NBA has changed and described Conley as one of the best pure point guards. I’ve argued this point for years when people talk about what Conley doesn’t do. Conley is a point guard. Point guards facilitate. Point guards get everyone else in optimal positions for scoring. Point guards give directions. Conley does what a point guard is meant to do…WELL.
He is one of the best, if there’s any left, of just a pure point guard. A guy that understands when a guy needs a shot. A guy that understands when to put his foot on the gas. A guy that understands when to lead, or when to let someone else lead. A guy that knows when to take the shot. And a guy that defends his position at a high level. He’s a two-way player. So, preparing for him was a nightmare.
He seems to be ready to establish & maintain a good relationship with Robert Pera and the Front Office.
Now, some see this as being a “yes man” or “kissing ___”. Here’s the thing though: if you can’t get along with your boss, you’re going to likely find yourself looking for employment. Period. Point blank. Case closed.
I always find it funny when people talk about this as if it’s something abnormal. If you’re employed by someone, you either agree with what they say, or you disagree and keep your trap shut about what you don’t agree with so you can keep getting one of those nice envelopes every other Friday. Coaching is no different from what the majority of people do every day at their jobs: go along to get along until you can move along.
When asked about his meeting with Pera:
It was a fantastic meeting. We speak the same language. He is about culture. He’s about leadership. He’s about allowing people to do their work; hiring the talent and allowing them to do their work. Growth mindset, big time. He’s so open-minded to stuff. Innovative. And he’s a basketball junkie. And I just love that.
He’s adding a Z to his name.
His humor came into play once again. He’s answering a question about Mike Conley from Geoff Calkins at The Commercial Appeal. Calkins consistently spells Grizz with just one z, which chaps my hide immensely. Coach Fizdale looks at him and says, we’re going to add a Z to Fiz to go along with the 2 z’s in Grizz. Coincidence? Probably not. He’s been doing his homework, and I love it!!
The summer is just beginning for the Grizzlies. They’ve still got the draft, free agency, and summer league to worry about. Coach Fizdale is establishing relationships with the players under contract and is actively courting Mike Conley. He’s going to coach the Summer League team in Las Vegas. There doesn’t seem to be any rest in sight for my new BFF, but he seems up for the challenge. I’m excited about the experience, knowledge, and excitement that Coach Fizdale brings with him, and I think as we see more of him if you’re not already excited, you’ll get excited too!!
- Grizzlies dominate Hawks again in 118-101 victory - March 8, 2020
- Grizzlies rally too late, fall to Pelicans 126-116 - January 21, 2020
- Grizzlies win fifth straight, defeat Warriors 122-102 - January 13, 2020
RIGHT ON lady!!!
Thanks Helen!!
Great article!! But I’m not sure why you don’t know anything about ham sandwiches They are delicious.
HA! Thanks Carol!
Great article!! You captured that press conference to perfection!! Go, Grizzlies!!
Thanks Connie!
Great article. Very good friend. Entertaining
Thanks Kessa!!