New Memphis Grizzlies Coach, David Fizdale Eager to Implement Championship Swagger
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New Memphis Grizzlies Coach, David Fizdale Eager to Implement Championship Swagger

A new sheriff in town will employ the ultimate culture in an unfamiliar place.

New Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale won a few championships with his then-Miami Heat, but he said it didn’t stop there. At the Memphis Grizzlies Media Day, Fizdale, in fact, will bring the championship culture from the Heat to his new team: the Grizzlies.

“I think if you walk around the building you already see a lot of change here,” Fizdale said. “I want to institute a culture that doesn’t have anything to do with shots or minutes; it starts with the foundation of service. It has to do with guys having a growth mindset. I will harp on them to have championship professionalism.  I want them to carry themselves like a champion now so that when you get there it’s not a surprise. These are things that are important to me. I want them to be a servant to the community and a servant to the team. These are things I will be pressing on them as we build them into champions.”

Last year, the Grizzlies were swept by the Spurs in the Western Conference Playoffs. While the Spurs lost Tim Duncan to retirement, of course, there are other talented teams out West, including Golden State, Los Angeles, Portland, Dallas and Houston.

Still, never count out a coach who has a heart of a champion.

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