Grizzlies fire Marc Iavaroni

by santeesioux1 on Jan 22, 2009 7:36 PM PST

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/01/22/iavaroni/index.html

Hmm, Darius the cancer is alive and well in Memphis? I don't think they have won a game since he was signed again, so it can be argued Darius had something to do with it!

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AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!

When I die, I'd like to go out like my grandfather, peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car. - jack handy

by TheTinfoil on Jan 22, 2009 7:38 PM PST reply actions

Remember when it was reported that we had signed him?

Turns out hiring Nate was definitely better.

by Cablinasian on Jan 22, 2009 7:39 PM PST reply actions

Do you think Nate would have done a better job with the team in Memphis?

by Timmay! on Jan 22, 2009 7:43 PM PST up reply actions

Getting 21 wins out of that Blazer team

was a magnificent coaching job. That team shouldn’t have won 12.

by Cablinasian on Jan 22, 2009 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

Do you think Nate would have done a better job with the team in Memphis?

by Timmay! on Jan 22, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions

Probably.

The reason Iavaroni was a bad fit there and probably would have been a bad fit here—is the situation was not good. Rookie coaches, to succeed, need to either walk on water, or find a Right Situation. Too often, they wind up in a hornet’s nest, find themselves over their head, and don’t last long.

Not a knock on Iavaroni, just sayin’.

by EngineerScotty on Jan 22, 2009 8:07 PM PST up reply actions

I'm back and forth on this.

I think the team is playing to their talent level right now. In a few years, the same team should grow nicely. I can’t figure out what the coach had done wrong, but it’s possible that I’m just not that aware of the happenings there.

I think Nate would have a very similar record with that team right now. Heck, it’s not specific to Nate. I think Phil Jackson would have a similar record with that team right now.

by Timmay! on Jan 22, 2009 8:10 PM PST up reply actions

I agree and add that he was hired to coach a different style, then he was given personnel less suited for that style

whoo, Katy bar the door! - Maurice Lucas anticipating Greg Oden's development

by lee3022 on Jan 22, 2009 8:59 PM PST up reply actions

Yes.

He’s proven that he can win games with a low talent level… and that team has talent on it.

by Cablinasian on Jan 22, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions

I don't get it. Did they expect to make the playoffs this year?

I mean, they have a bright future with that roster, but that is not now.

by Norsktroll on Jan 22, 2009 7:52 PM PST reply actions

Agree

I thought he had done a pretty good job with Mayo/Gay/Warrick/Gasol, that team needs to figure out their PG situation/keep their key pieces signed (cough, cheapskate Heisley, cough) and they could be a playoof club in a couple seasons. This doesn’t help…

Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield
- Early stage Marlo at this point, but Bayless is the emotionless killer new to the game. He will take over, and there will be causalties – it’s just a matter of time.

by blazeraddict on Jan 22, 2009 8:01 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed

I’m not sure the point of this firing. Unless something comes out later (such as behind-the-scenes problems), this feels like firing a coach just to make a change.

Any Grizzlies fans around? Give us some insight. Perhaps he really is the problem, and we just don’t see it from the outside.

by Timmay! on Jan 22, 2009 8:08 PM PST up reply actions

Such a classy,focused franchise

Pity the fool that takes the job

by southern oregon on Jan 22, 2009 7:52 PM PST reply actions

Isiah is looking for work I hear.

by EngineerScotty on Jan 22, 2009 8:08 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

A match made in hell

Good idea

by southern oregon on Jan 22, 2009 8:46 PM PST up reply actions

Nate's Next

by oregonslee on Jan 22, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions

Read above

whoo, Katy bar the door! - Maurice Lucas anticipating Greg Oden's development

by lee3022 on Jan 22, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

Things move fast in the NBA

by oregonslee on Jan 22, 2009 9:19 PM PST up reply actions

but Nate won't be fired because

Paul Allen’s get us a great veteran leader to take us to the next level. It’s gonna make Nate look great.

by oregonslee on Jan 22, 2009 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

The Lil' Train it is

BLAZERS RULE!

Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around

by Lizzy Lowblow on Jan 23, 2009 7:24 AM PST up reply actions

NBA needs to

contract the garbage Grizzlies franchise.

by neutroticblazerfan on Jan 22, 2009 8:22 PM PST reply actions

Nah....move it to Seattle

Then AK can go on their board and tell them how Marc is soft

Just kiddin’

Larry (the new Johnnie Cochran) Miller: "If we get screwed, we're gonna sue"

by 92wastheyear on Jan 22, 2009 8:54 PM PST up reply actions

Just kiddin' about the move or the telling?

As much as I want to see Seattle regain their Sonics I would never wish that tearing away on another city.

whoo, Katy bar the door! - Maurice Lucas anticipating Greg Oden's development

by lee3022 on Jan 22, 2009 9:02 PM PST reply actions

Kidding about AK

If the choice was about contraction or moving the team to Seatlle…I would chose moving the team

Larry (the new Johnnie Cochran) Miller: "If we get screwed, we're gonna sue"

by 92wastheyear on Jan 22, 2009 9:07 PM PST up reply actions

Ahh good destinction

But would King David ever permit contraction?

whoo, Katy bar the door! - Maurice Lucas anticipating Greg Oden's development

by lee3022 on Jan 22, 2009 9:13 PM PST up reply actions

The bigger question is, will he have a choice?

by Timmay! on Jan 22, 2009 9:15 PM PST up reply actions

only if he wants the owners to immediately replace him

I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant

by 22baylor on Jan 23, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Nobody in Memphis would care

the Tigers draw better than the Grizzlies, terrible NBA market. Besides, Seattle is a proven NBA hotbed and a gateway to the China market Stern covets, it makes no business or league quality sense for that city to not have a franchise

by blazeraddict on Jan 22, 2009 9:28 PM PST up reply actions

So which of these remaining "losers" are next?

L. Frank 19-23
M. D’Antoni 17-24
S. Skiles 21-24
V. Del Negro 18-25
J O’Brien 15-27
L. Brown 17-25
D. Nelson 13-30
M. Dunleavy 9-32

by TallTimber on Jan 22, 2009 9:18 PM PST reply actions

D'Antoni isn't going anywhere

He’s done so much with so little. Frank, also, is staying.

by Eventine on Jan 22, 2009 9:24 PM PST up reply actions

Besides

If the Knicks want LeBron, they need to have an appealing coach.

by Eventine on Jan 22, 2009 9:25 PM PST up reply actions

I'm a native midwesterner and lurk Blog a Bull (a lot)

So naturally I vote VDN. Jeez, they really hate him.

by Corvid on Jan 22, 2009 9:27 PM PST up reply actions

Thats why I hope he stays

It is too funny

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 22, 2009 10:16 PM PST up reply actions

That "I'm going to fine everyone until I have respect" story line is too funny indeed

by Norsktroll on Jan 23, 2009 12:00 AM PST up reply actions

Vinny Del Negro

Underperforming, cheapest coaching contract in the NBA, short two year deal… all ripe for pinning a frame up on the poor guy.

I know Bulls fans thinks he’s an idiot, but it’s hard to tell this early on. I know he doesn’t seem to play the right players, and “not playing the right players” means “he plays Nocioni more than 2 minutes a game”. But, Nocioni is a vet, so I guess he thinks that gives him the best chance to win… though he’s more inconsistent and up and down and sucky than any young guy they got at the same positions.

And because of Dunleavy running the front office AND his big ol’ contract AND the cheapness of the owner, I don’t see him getting fired. Not only would the owner have to eat billions and trillions, he’d have to find a new coach AND a new GM. That’d suck.

The rest have good reps, or are in situations where they won’t likely be fired.

I feel bad for VDN. Cheap, two year contracts, with young but underperforming kids and a meddling, stupid, cheap owner aren’t good combinations for job security.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Jan 22, 2009 9:30 PM PST up reply actions

And because of Dunleavy running the front office AND his big ol’ contract AND the cheapness of the owner, I don’t see him getting fired. Not only would the owner have to eat billions and trillions, he’d have to find a new coach AND a new GM. That’d suck.

Sadly, I agree that justice will not be served in Clipperville. – Elgin

by 22baylor on Jan 23, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

Skiles has improved the Bucks, and the GM is committed to building through patience.

So Skiles will be there for a while yet.

Current Titles:

Official Blazer's Edge Poet Co-Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season
Official Blazer's Edge Ambassador to the Milwaukee Bucks
Unofficial Blazer's Edge Grammar Magister
Unofficial Blazer's Edge Grumpy Ol' Curmudgeon
Chaplain of the Jarrett Jack Jump-Pass Memorial Fanclub

by T Darkstar on Jan 23, 2009 6:17 AM PST up reply actions

Dunleavy!

He cost me my job! – Elgin

by 22baylor on Jan 23, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Coincidence?

I think not!

So Memphis has now replaced Iavaroni with Lionel Hollins—Portland Trail Blazer great. Hollins is also bringing in Mo Cheeks. Mo Cheeks and Darius Miles…reunited. On top of that, Hollins is also bringing in Barry Hecker—who was the former Clippers coach as well as just being a big front-office presence.

I’m thinking the whole coach firing is to just make it an excuse to get rid of Darius Miles by not re-signing after his 10 days are up because the new coach doesn’t think he will “fit into the new system”.

by Tofu Anonymous on Jan 23, 2009 12:28 AM PST reply actions

That thought crossed my mind about a reason to not keep Darius. Not that it’s that simple… but it certainly is a plus for them. No way we can prove in a lawsuit that they didn’t let him go because there was bad blood between him and a new assistant.

Does that mean Darius is done in the NBA? What other team do you think would take a flyer on him? He looked decent in the last couple games there.

by danielfarrell on Jan 23, 2009 5:49 AM PST up reply actions

So Memphis has now replaced Iavaroni with Lionel Hollins—Portland Trail Blazer great. Hollins is also bringing in Mo Cheeks. Mo Cheeks and Darius Miles…reunited. On top of that, Hollins is also bringing in Barry Hecker—who was the former Clippers coach as well as just being a big front-office presence.

What a freaking circus.

I’m thinking the whole coach firing is to just make it an excuse to get rid of Darius Miles by not re-signing after his 10 days are up because the new coach doesn’t think he will "fit into the new system".

Well it’s certainly (and suddenly) a very challenging environment as far as Miles’s success is concerned.

I feel sorry for Hollins, who has certainly waited long enough for a chance to coach a real team (not a wooden one). – Elgin

by 22baylor on Jan 23, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

“We don’t have an identity,” rookie center Marc Gasol said. “We don’t have one. We run around like chickens with our heads cut off. Youth can be a good thing, but we use it as an excuse. We’re always making excuses. We make excuses to the referees and to our teammates. We make excuses in practice. That’s all some people want to do is make excuses. You’re never going to get anywhere like that.”

“Everybody is frustrated,” Gasol said. “If somebody’s not frustrated, then they have a problem. Everybody should be frustrated.”

“We ain’t got no chemistry,” said forward Darius Miles, who is on a 10-day contract. “That’s why we’re last in the league in assists and probably the last team in defense.”

Link

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Jan 23, 2009 7:53 AM PST up reply actions