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New York Knicks coach David Fizdale is excited to discuss a surprising victory over his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies.
David Cobb, the commercial call
After a hug that had lasted a year, and after the bull between former Grizzlies coach David Fizdale and Marc Gasol, had been officially declared "crushed," New York Knicks goalkeeper Trey Burke was in the entrance where the most moving scene of Fizdale's return to Memphis took place.
The ice had not yet melted and the towels were still absorbing all the water from the FedExForum visitors' locker room. Where the current players of Fizdale explained that this game represented for their coach more than he had declared publicly.
"Today, everything was a coaching affair," said Burke. "Even though he might not admit it, we know it's a great match for him – we got the win for him."
That's why, once the Knicks won a 103-98 win over the Grizzlies when Fizdale returned to Memphis, guards Emmanuel Mudiay and Tim Hardaway Jr. embraced him.
That's why the whole team quickly joined the group, everyone started screaming for water and they got me "soaked with shit water," Fizdale said. "My costume is ruined."
It was an end that reminded the Grizzlies how well they had recovered from the tumult that had accompanied Fizdale's shooting, and how far the path they took always had such a small margin of error.
Bickerstaff, irritated, explains why he was so disappointed by the Grizzlies' defeat by the Knicks.
Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee
Because Fizdale celebrated with an impromptu shower, the Grizzlies' coach, JB Bickerstaff, took part in his post-game press conference, waved as he was all season long after a stunned third quarter who finally sentenced his team to a second consecutive defeat.
"The most disappointing thing," said Bickerstaff, "is that our guys, for the most part, have lived an identity and this third quarter we have not done."
This identity is built on Gasol and Conley, who combined 50 points and 45 field placement attempts on Sunday. It is built on the Grit Grind N culture that Fizdale tried to phase out when he came here. It's built on the promise of Jaren Jackson Jr., the 6-foot-11 rookie that seems to be the best thing to come out of this Grizzlies-Fizdale divorce.
But it's an identity that still produces nights like this, while the Grizzlies' defense can only hide their lack of offensive firepower for so long and that they have a double-digit lead for the third time of the season.
New York Knicks coach David Fizdale had to remember where to park at FedExForum when he came to Memphis as an opposing coach this weekend.
David Cobb, the commercial call
Nevertheless, when Fizdale entered FedExForum a few hours before Sunday's release, he described the experience as "weird".
He did not know which side of the building he was to enter. He did not know which metal detector to use. He did not even know where to park.
"J.B. in my fucking place, "joked Fizdale during his pre-match media availability
A year later, however, most of the injuries that occurred during the brutal dismissal of Fizdale appear to have dissipated.
"I felt like everything was at peace with relationships," Fizdale said, "so I feel good coming back here."
Fizdale and Gasol confirmed, for example, that they had been talking on the phone this off season and had repaired the antagonistic relationship that had finally prompted the Memphis home office to fire Fizdale and rear Bickerstaff.
"It was a fantastic conversation. It's two men who have evolved and it's pretty cool, "said Fizdale. "It will not be a story for you guys anymore. This guy took a migrant out of the ocean this summer. It's more important than a basketball, and he and I know it. … It's pretty cool that at a time when we all live, where people get so bad, here we are, two guys, we crushed him and we're cool.
"At the end of the day," added Gasol, "we both learned and we both grew up, so everything is positive."
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When the game started, the Grizzlies looked like the Grizzlies and the Knicks the Knicks. Astonishing opponent of the Western Conference, Gasol and Conley dominated the team with twice as many defeats as victories this year, up to 13 points.
But at half-time, Hardaway said Fizdale "wanted to make sure it was not about him and make sure we focused on the game and … it took a lot of weight. "
Memphis then came out in the second half and played perhaps its worst quarter since the beginning of the season in Indiana.
Subsequently, however, Fizdale named Bickerstaff a Coach of the Year candidate and Jackson would be a future star player. He also lingered on the field, heading to the Grizzlies' bench to welcome Bickerstaff, Conley and Wayne Selden.
Finally, he turned around and headed for Gasol. The two men kissed briefly before Fizdale's suit was wet.
"It was a hug that we had needed for a long time," Fizdale said.
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