Head Coach Search

[Cubboo]

Well the end of the season is near and that means the MemGrizz are looking for the head coach of the future.
I pulled a list of the available Head Coaching Candidates and thought I would get your thoughts on who you believe is the best available:

1) Coach TI
2) Michael Malone
3) James Borrego
4) Mike Brown
5) Frank Vogel
6) Sam Cassell
7) Royal Ivey
8) Micah Nori
9) Chris Quinn
10) Steve Nash
11) Mike Budenholzer
12) Johnny Bryant
13) Jeff Van Gundy
14) None of the above: Instead hire........

[Cubboo]

Just a thought, would anyone be open to a Dave Joerger return?

[Cubboo]

OFFICIAL:
Tuomas Iisalo has been hired as the new Memphis Grizzlies coach

Let's hear your comments on this one

[jefe]

Not an unexpected development. For all the hand-wringing at the end of the season, I suspect this front office will keep its MO and stay conservative on all fronts: coaching search, player personnel decisions, and trades (if any). Now if Kleiman gets ousted, look out, because we may see real change; however, keeping Iisalo is a sign that the status quo will remain through the offseason into next season.

[Cubboo]

Jefe, unfortunately I agree.
It seemed that Coach TI had a fairly successful attack plan going into the games.
After some early blowouts against OKC, it appeared MEM got competitive by the end of the series.

However, (Here it comes), His game mgmt and key in game decisions were lacking.
Failure to call timeouts appropriately, challenges left in his back pocket at the end of losses, leaving Key personnel on the bench during critical moments, and unproven disciplinary mindset, leaves me with a big question mark.

In the end it doesn't matter, this is the direction of Zach Kleinman wants to go and he holds the power (right now).

I think this team needed a proven veteran coach who has travelled this road before.
Likely Coach TI will be running the show for the next few years and the Grizzlies go as he goes.

This is a critical time for MEM. The young core is now on the clock. We are no longer an up and comer, we should be seasoned and ready.
We will see if the coaching change brings success.

[VCfor3]

I wish they would have actually done a search to find an actual vet but it sounds like this was roughly in the works for a bit. He had success elsewhere so hopefully with a full offseason he can figure things out a bit better.

[SD2042]

I wish they would have actually done a search to find an actual vet but it sounds like this was roughly in the works for a bit. He had success elsewhere so hopefully with a full offseason he can figure things out a bit better.

It appears they were already determined to make TI their guy overall. How will this new coach will fair off will be anyone's guess. Like Cubboo said earlier in his post, this Grizzlies team are now on the clock. Each move and win will be critical as well as they age in their respective careers. The Grizzlies can't afford any unnecessary mistakes like they done from the post ASB run onto the disastrous playoffs fallout. So this new coach better be worth his salt or the fans will show their displeasure like something serious.

[durden_tyler]

Mission #1 is to make Morant accountable. No more immature acts and he would be a successful coach already.

[VCfor3]

Mission #1 is to make Morant accountable. No more immature acts and he would be a successful coach already.

Very true though that was partially why I wanted an established coach who would possibly have more sway with Ja. We shall see how it all works out.

[jefe]

Mission #1 is to make Morant accountable. No more immature acts and he would be a successful coach already.

Moving into the back half of his 20s, you hope that a little pride (and, if necessary, a little jealously) kicks in when it becomes apparent to Ja that the league is moving on to new young faces without Ja being in the conversation, and it motivates him in a positive way.

[Ugly0598]

Michael Malone is the best opportunity for success on Beale Street.

[SD2042]

Mission #1 is to make Morant accountable. No more immature acts and he would be a successful coach already.

Moving into the back half of his 20s, you hope that a little pride (and, if necessary, a little jealously) kicks in when it becomes apparent to Ja that the league is moving on to new young faces without Ja being in the conversation, and it motivates him in a positive way.

The Grizzlies main problem is maturity. It has to change for the better. These guys just enter their respective prime. They are a good team. What's stopping them from being a great team is their maturity and consistency. To be a leader takes maturity, precision, tactics to put teammates in the positions to succeed on the floor. They showed this during the first half of the season. Unfortunately, after the return from ASB, the Grizzlies struggled down the stretch where they found themselves fighting for their playoff lives. That situation cannot happen again. That was about as fugly as it gets. This offseason deserves to be about reflection about the team. From the players, coaching staff, and front office. This organization cannot find themselves squandering opportunities to advance this team for the better of both present and future. The window to compete may look long. However, crucial mistakes can shorten a crucial window of opportunity. Something the Grizzlies can't afford to lose.

They need to wise up, observe the landscape, and get with the program on maintaining their consistent efforts on being a better playoff team. These teams in the West will slowly pass them by if they don't compete with the Western Conference for the sake of themselves.