NBA Rumors: If the Phoenix Suns are going to do an all-out coaching search this summer, their top candidate should be David Fizdale
Firing head coach Earl Watson days into the 2017-18 NBA season was an ideal move for the Phoenix Suns. But it’s one they believed was necessary. And what’s done is done. There’s no going back on it.
However, if the Suns elect to enter an all-out coaching search this summer – and decide not to remove the interim tag off Jay Triano – there’s one candidate that should stand out from all the others.
That’s David Fizdale.
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Fizdale was fired by the Memphis Grizzles earlier this season. Some believe that the Grizzlies had to decide between keeping Marc Gasol or Fizdale. Clearly, their decision was clear. It was reported that there was a rift between Fizdale and Gasol.
"[via Sporting News]Phoenix is targeting former Memphis coach Dave Fizdale to replace interim coach Jay Triano, according to league sources. When Fizdale was the lead assistant to Eric Spoelstra in Miami during the LeBron Era, James Jones was on the Heat roster."
The Suns should be interested in Fizdale. During his short time with the Grizzlies, he did quite well. During his first year with the Grizzlies (last season), Fizdale helped lead the Grizzlies to a 43-39 record despite being plagued by injuries for most of the season.
They lost in six games to the San Antonio Spurs, where Fizdale had quite the rant in the middle of said series.
Fizdale is the type of coach that could grow with the young Suns, and would demand nothing but the best from every player on any given night. To add some fuel to this rumor’s fire, James Johnson, who was with Fizdale during their time with the Miami Heat, is working in Phoenix’s front office.
I don’t think that’s something that should be overlooked. If anything, it should help Phoenix’s case in their reported interest in Fizdale.
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There is going to be a big market for Fizdale this summer. And you can bet that the Phoenix Suns will want in on this sweepstakes.