From a pure basketball perspective, the Grizzlies’ decision to fire coach Dave Joerger on Saturday doesn’t make much sense. In three seasons at the helm in Memphis, Joerger was 246-147, as the Grizzlies reached three straight postseasons despite an aging and injury-plagued roster. Joerger was under contract for next season, with a team option for 2017-18.
Dave Joerger's .598 win pct was best of any coach in Grizzlies history; 147 wins trail only Lionel Hollins (214-201, .516) in team history
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 7, 2016
Dave Joerger: 5th NBA coach in last 20 seasons to part ways with team despite making playoffs every season (min. 3 seasons)-via @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 7, 2016
So why did the Grizz can Joerger? Because he actively didn’t want to be there. The coach interviewed for the Timberwolves coaching job two years ago and according to Adrian Wojnarowski was again seeking permission to talk to other teams. It’s hard to blame Memphis management for being annoyed Joerger was so desperate to escape. Asking to interview for the exact equivalent position in another (arguably lesser) organization is basically a big “eff you” to your bosses.
This is a telling passage from Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace’s Q&A with Grizzlies.com:
The decision was not about Dave’s in-game coaching. Dave did an admirable job managing games. However, being an NBA head coach is about more than just coaching a 48 minute game.
Of course that’s only half the story. There was surely a reason Joerger was dissatisfied with the Grizzlies to the point of jumping shift, and we won’t know his side of things until he shares it. ESPN is reporting that Joerger has felt he didn’t have management’s full support ever since he interviewed for the T-Wolves gig two years ago, and a source told ESPN that, “Both sides have to take a look in the mirror. Neither side is innocent in this.”
This saga provides another example of the evolving relationship between the front office and the bench, as the cult-of-personality coach verges on extinction. These days the general manager is as much the face of a franchise as the man on the sideline, and management is less likely to put up with crap from a winning coach. That’s why Tom Thibodeau no longer coaches the Chicago Bulls and Jim Harbaugh no longer leads the San Francisco 49ers.
In the hours since the firing, karma seems to be favoring the Grizzlies. They’re reportedly after another coach who was recently canned despite impressive on-court success…
Memphis plans to pursue Frank Vogel, league sources tell @TheVertical. Grizzlies willing to pay market value for top available candidates.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 7, 2016
… while Joerger could be on his way to West-Coast coaching hell.
There's significant momentum on Joerger-to-the-Kings, league sources tell @TheVertical. Sacramento has opportunity to get a deal done.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 7, 2016
