He is known as a player’s coach
Fizdale’s coaching style has helped him earn respect from players around the league. He delivered a few memorable quotes while coaching an undermanned Grizzlies club against the Spurs in the 2017 Western Conference playoffs. He blasted the officials after a Game 2 loss where the Grizzlies shot 25 fewer free throws.
“I know Pop’s got pedigree, and I’m a young rookie, but they not gonna rook us!” said Fizdale. “That’s unacceptable, that was unprofessional.”
He also uttered what would be the Grizzlies calling cry for the rest of the series—yelling “take that for data,” in reference to the free throw discrepancy. The players were so enamored with Fizdale sticking up for them, the team agreed to pay the $30,000 fine he was given by the league.
Stars like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade have also spoken highly of Fizdale on numerous occasions. But it was likely the players’ reaction to Fizdale’s firing in Memphis that truly illustrated how fondly they think of him. James, Wade and other NBA players around the league came out in his defense—with James accusing Memphis of making Fizdale a “fall guy” for the team’s early season troubles in 2017.
“I can’t put a price tag on that,’’ Fizdale told ESPN Radio. “They care about you so much, they’re going to come out publicly when you’re fired whether they know the whole story or not.”
