Memphis Grizzlies fire head coach Mike Fratello

arthurracoon

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Grizzlies fire Fratello after 6-24 start
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-grizzlies-fratello&prov=ap&type=lgns

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- The Memphis Grizzlies fired coach Mike Fratello on Thursday after a 6-24 start.

The Grizzlies' all-time winningest coach, Fratello had a 95-83 record and had guided Memphis to consecutive playoff appearances.

He started the season without All-Star center Pau Gasol, who broke his foot this summer in the world championships and missed the first 22 games.

"Unfortunately, this season has been one of disarray starting this past summer," Fratello said in a statement.

Jerry West, Grizzlies president of basketball operations, announced the move, calling Fratello a great coach and friend.

"We just felt it was time to make a change and move in a different direction based on our record and future goals. We wish Mike the best in his future endeavors," West said in a statement.

Fratello replaced Hubie Brown on Dec. 2, 2004. He took the Grizzlies to the playoffs but was swept in the first round in 2005 and 2006.

The Grizzlies did not announce a new head coach, and said they would look for an interim head coach immediately.

The Commercial Appeal newspaper reported on its Web site that Tony Barone Sr., the team's director of player personnel, was asked to take over. Club officials were mulling other options while waiting for his decision, the paper said.

The Grizzlies scheduled a news conference for Friday morning.

Fratello ranked 19th on the NBA's career wins list and 21st in games coached when he joined the Grizzlies. On March 4, 2005, he became the 19th coach to win 600 games.

Memphis had lost 11 of 16 to start the 2004-05 season but finished Fratello's first season with 45 victories. He couldn't repeat that success this year.

"I am sorry I have not been able to find a way up to this point to turn things around, and I understand why a change needs to be made," Fratello said. "Things will get better with both an abundance of home games coming up and the eventual return of Lawrence Roberts and Kyle Lowry from their injuries."
 

elindholm

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Surprising. I've been reading that a sale of the team is in the works and that major personnel or staffing issues would be on hold until the sale went through.
 

boisesuns

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Surprising. I've been reading that a sale of the team is in the works and that major personnel or staffing issues would be on hold until the sale went through.

The people who were buying the team, laid out a "Master plan" and many people weren't buying it. They said attendance doesn't have to do with the quality of basketball.

No one is paying all that money to watch chuky atkins lead an offense.


I love the Grizz, they make it possible to watch a few suns games a year for me. :)
 
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arthurracoon

arthurracoon

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The people who were buying the team, laid out a "Master plan" and many people weren't buying it. They said attendance doesn't have to do with the quality of basketball.

WHAT?!?!

are they crazy

boy are they in for a shock
 

F-Dog

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The problem with Fratello wasn't that he was losing, it was that he might start winning.


I'd be shocked if Memphis doesn't do everything they can from here on out to get that #1 pick. Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if diving this season was one reason Jerry West traded Battier this summer...
 

boisesuns

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Gasol has a sponsorship:

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SOFT!
 
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