Miami experience gives Fizdale instant respect

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph has known his new coach since he was 19 and brand new in the NBA. Veteran guard and defensive whiz Tony Allen is excited at the prospect of being included in some offensive sets. JaMychal Green is happy the new boss asked him to play for him in the summer league.

Point guard Mike Conley sums it up nicely: David Fizdale is not a typical first-year head coach.

“If you sit down and talk to him, it seems like he’s been there, done that,” Conley said.

The only thing Fizdale hadn’t done in his NBA career until now has been a head coach. The man who started as a video intern with the Miami Heat in 1997 has been an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks before spending the past eight seasons back in Miami, the last two as assistant head coach to Erik Spoelstra. During that recent stretch, Miami won more playoff games (70) and playoff series (15) than any other NBA team.

That experience is why the Grizzlies wanted Fizdale as their new coach at a time when they are trying to extend their playoff streak to seven consecutive seasons.

“Fizdale just brings a new energy, a new way of looking at things, just a different vibe than we’ve had, which I think is very refreshing and is going to be very beneficial for us,” Grizzlies general …

continue reading in source www.nba.com