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David Fizdale

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade aren’t rocking with the Grizzlies’ firing of Fizdale

Their relationship with the coach goes back to their days with the Miami Heat

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    David Fizdale
    AP Photo/Brandon Dill
    Rhiannon Walker By @InstantRHIplay

    After only a season and 19 games as the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coach, David Fizdale was fired on Monday.

    The Grizzlies canned Fizdale, who was known to fiercely stand up for his players, in the midst of an eight-game skid and internal friction.

    ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news and discussed how forward Marc Gasol’s fourth-quarter benching in the team’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday was more than likely a contributing factor. Gasol — who signed a five-year, $110 million contract in 2015 and leads the team in points (19.1), rebounds (9.1) and assists (4.1) per game — and Fizdale reportedly had a fractured relationship that had not been repaired leading up to Sunday’s benching.

    Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Cavs guard Dwyane Wade were two of the most vocal dissenters of the move.

    Wade and James were both members of the Miami Heat teams on which Fizdale was the lead assistant coach.

    And they weren’t the only people around the league to comment. San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, asked about Fizdale’s firing, was confident he won’t be out of work for long, while other players co-signed James’ and Wade’s sentiments.

    In the next few days, we’ll find out potential landing spots for Fizdale.

    Rhiannon Walker is an associate editor at The Undefeated. She is a drinker of Sassy Cow Creamery chocolate milk, an owner of an extensive Disney VHS collection, and she might have a heart attack if Frank Ocean doesn't drop his second album.

    This Story Tagged: NBA LeBron James Dwyane Wade Memphis Grizzlies David Fizdale