Happy Trails Czar
On 12/28 the Memphis Grizzlies fired coach Mike Fratello after a total of two and a quarter seasons in charge. “The Czar” was the winningest coach in franchise history with a record of 95-83 (0-8 in the playoffs), but got the axe after his club started the year 6-24. He will be replaced by Tony Barone Sr. on an interim basis
There are two main things to blame for the slow start in Memphis, neither of which are Fratello’s fault.
#1 The debacle that is/was the pending sale of the team.
#2 Pau Gasol missing the first 22 games of the season with a broken left foot.
I’m not a huge defender of the Czar, but I think it’s fair to say he got a somewhat raw deal here. After all, he does have decent track record, never had a full compliment of players and was only given 30 games to get something done.
That said…..
Fratello did exactly what I thought he would in my Western Conference Preview back in October (more or less).
“I have no doubt that the Czar is going to revert back to his old Cleveland days by having his club take the air out of the ball and milk the shot clock on every single possession.”
Therein lies the problem.
When the owner (Michael Heisley) and President (Jerry West) both say in the pre-season, and at points during the season too, that they are looking forward to seeing their young players get out and run in a more up tempo style, I suggest you do it if you value your job.
When I said in the QPR that “This is a bad team that has already stopped listening to coach Mike Fratello” it was not exactly a state secret.
You see, even though they’ll all deny it, players read the papers. Hence when they see Heisley & West publicly on one page, and witness Fratello daily on another, well it doesn’t take Einstein to figure out what comes next.
So in the end the Czar was his own worst enemy, like a lot of these old school coaches tend to be. They believe so strongly that W’s are the only thing that matters at the end of the day, that they ignore direct pleas from above to develop players.
I understand where Fratello (and others) is coming from, but at the same time you’ve got to understand your situation and make the best of it. Meaning, take your lumps, improve the team gradually and hope you’re around long enough to reap the rewards of your hard work and perseverance.
I know it almost never goes down like that, but at least that way you keep your job and look like the good soldier in the end.
The other option is to do whatever you want for as long as you can, then get labeled a particular way after you’re fired. Just like players, NBA coaches are what they are at a certain point.
The good news (for fans anyway) is that hopefully we'll get to hear the Marv Albert – Mike Fratello duo calling games again very soon.
There are two main things to blame for the slow start in Memphis, neither of which are Fratello’s fault.
#1 The debacle that is/was the pending sale of the team.
#2 Pau Gasol missing the first 22 games of the season with a broken left foot.
I’m not a huge defender of the Czar, but I think it’s fair to say he got a somewhat raw deal here. After all, he does have decent track record, never had a full compliment of players and was only given 30 games to get something done.
That said…..
Fratello did exactly what I thought he would in my Western Conference Preview back in October (more or less).
“I have no doubt that the Czar is going to revert back to his old Cleveland days by having his club take the air out of the ball and milk the shot clock on every single possession.”
Therein lies the problem.
When the owner (Michael Heisley) and President (Jerry West) both say in the pre-season, and at points during the season too, that they are looking forward to seeing their young players get out and run in a more up tempo style, I suggest you do it if you value your job.
When I said in the QPR that “This is a bad team that has already stopped listening to coach Mike Fratello” it was not exactly a state secret.
You see, even though they’ll all deny it, players read the papers. Hence when they see Heisley & West publicly on one page, and witness Fratello daily on another, well it doesn’t take Einstein to figure out what comes next.
So in the end the Czar was his own worst enemy, like a lot of these old school coaches tend to be. They believe so strongly that W’s are the only thing that matters at the end of the day, that they ignore direct pleas from above to develop players.
I understand where Fratello (and others) is coming from, but at the same time you’ve got to understand your situation and make the best of it. Meaning, take your lumps, improve the team gradually and hope you’re around long enough to reap the rewards of your hard work and perseverance.
I know it almost never goes down like that, but at least that way you keep your job and look like the good soldier in the end.
The other option is to do whatever you want for as long as you can, then get labeled a particular way after you’re fired. Just like players, NBA coaches are what they are at a certain point.
The good news (for fans anyway) is that hopefully we'll get to hear the Marv Albert – Mike Fratello duo calling games again very soon.
posted by D$ at 7:44 PM
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