Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Best Candidates to Replace Dave Joerger
The Memphis Grizzlies have shockingly fired head coach Dave Joerger. Who should Memphis hire to be its next leader of the pack?
The Memphis Grizzlies were dealt as brutal a hand as any team in the NBA during the 2015-16 season. Injuries ravaged the rotation, with starting point guard Mike Conley, star center, Marc Gasol, and backup point guard Mario Chalmers all suffering season-ending injuries.
Grueling a year as it was, the front office showed no remorse in firing head coach Dave Joerger.
Joerger somehow led the Grizzlies to the 2016 NBA Playoffs, helping the team reach a record of 42-40. During his three seasons in Memphis, he accumulated a regular season record of 147-99—good for a win percentage of .598.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, that success wasn’t enough to prevent the Grizzlies from parting ways with coach Joerger.
Sources: The Memphis Grizzlies fired coach Dave Joerger on Saturday morning. Story soon on @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 7, 2016
That’s a shocking development, to say the least.
Reports have since poured in that Joerger had requested permission to meet with another team about their coaching vacancy. It was the second time in his three years that he’s done so, which makes it somewhat understandable for Memphis to be frustrated.
That doesn’t make the firing any easier to stomach for those who have witnessed the 42-year-old experience great success in Memphis.
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
Joerger and the front office haven’t seemed to be on the same page in quite some time. Despite his leading the Grizzlies to two 50-win seasons, Memphis had been rumored to be considering his firing for the better part of two years.
The same Memphis team that fired Lionel Hollins after its first ever Western Conference Finals appearance is now looking for a third head coach in four years—a span during which the Grizzlies have gone 203-125.
The question is: who should Memphis hire next?
Next: Booth to Bench, Part I