New D'Tigers coach, Fizdale’s poor NBA coaching record overshadows championship pedigree

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By Maxwell Kumoye
 
 

David Fizdale may boast of two NBA championship rings as an assistant coach, but his record as a head coach tells the story of a career that failed to meet expectations at the highest level.

Fizdale compiled a disappointing 71-134 win-loss record across 205 regular-season games as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks, leaving him with a poor 34.6% winning percentage.

After serving as an assistant with franchises including the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers, Fizdale earned his first head coaching role in Memphis in 2016.

His debut season showed promise as he guided the Grizzlies to a 43-39 record and a playoff appearance. 

However, the team crashed out in the first round after losing 4-2 in the playoffs.

Things quickly went downhill the following season. Memphis managed only 7 wins in 19 games before the franchise dismissed him midway through the campaign.

Hoping for a fresh start, the New York Knicks appointed Fizdale in 2018 to oversee a rebuilding process. 

Instead, the Knicks endured one of the worst spells in franchise history under his watch.

New York finished the 2018-19 season with a miserable 17-65 record before opening the next campaign with just four victories in 22 matches, leading to another firing.

While Fizdale remains respected for his work as an assistant coach, particularly during the Heat’s back-to-back championship triumphs in 2012 and 2013, his head coaching numbers underline a difficult journey marked by inconsistency, under achievement and missed opportunities.

Mike Brown the man who recommended David Fizdale for D'Tigers coaching job, served as the head coach of Nigeria from 2020 to 2021, leading them to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

His tenure was highlighted by a historic 90-87 exhibition win over the United States in July 2021, making Nigeria the first African team to defeat Team USA. Followed by a win over Argentina also in 2021.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics D'Tigers finished with a 0-3 record in the group phase after losses to Australia, Germany, and Italy.

AfroBasket 2021, Mike Brown led D'Tigers were eliminated by Uganda.

David Fizdale, a former NBA coach has no national team coaching experience, D'Tigers is his first big test.
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