MEMPHIS -- Dave Joerger's tearful news conference after the final loss to the San Antonio Spurs will be the lasting memory.
"I hope as a community that we love our Grizzlies," he said. "That's what Grizzlies basketball is about."
The other thing that Grizzlies basketball is about?
Parting ways with a wildly popular coach.
Hubie Brown wins Coach of the Year one year. He's gone less than two months into the next.
Lionel Hollins takes the Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals. Not long after, he's let go.
Joerger delivers an emotional, stirring tribute to the franchise and the city. Now Joerger has been dismissed.
"The decision was about ensuring stability for years to come," Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace said.
He said "stability."
Hahahahahaha.
In the last four years, the Grizzlies have changed owners, changed general managers (twice) and changed coaches (twice). The only thing that remains is the need for shooting and draft picks who can play. There's plenty of stability in that.
The latest change came after Joerger's agent asked the Grizzlies for permission to pursue the Sacramento job. This after Joerger had already been quietly pursuing the Minnesota job. The Grizzlies just got fed up.
I understand the fed-up-ness, too. Just two years ago, the Grizzlies allowed Joerger to explore his interest in the Minnesota job. Joerger decided it wasn't for him. The Grizzlies then gave Joerger a contract extension. Not a bad way to treat a guy, right?
But by the start of this year, Joerger and management were clashing openly. And by clashing, I mean, Joerger kept taking shots at management. He called the roster "old and slow." He gushed over the shooting guard the Grizzlies could have drafted but didn't, Rodney Hood. He felt betrayed when the Grizzlies traded away Jeff Green and Courtney Lee. When Joerger was asked at the end-of-the-season news conference if he would be involved in draft planning, he said, simply, "No."
So when Joerger's agent then asked for permission to talk to Sacramento, the Grizzlies decided enough was enough. Which, as I said, is totally understandable. Indeed, I understand both sides in this parting of ways. I just don't completely trust the side that remains.
And that's the larger problem with Joerger's departure. What does it say that he so badly wanted out? The Grizzlies have an owner who doesn't speak, and doesn't even come to playoff games. They have a general manager who is perceived to be genial but weak, and who himself -- according to reports -- recently sought permission to interview for a job with the Sacramento front office. In this vacuum, Joerger emerged as a public voice for the Grizzlies organization. That became even more true when he delivered his weeping tribute to the city and the team.
Now Joerger would rather coach Sacramento and DeMarcus Cousins? That's a depressing look.
Beyond that, what does it mean for Mike Conley? He can sign anywhere this offseason. Conley wasn't particularly close to Joerger, but does he want to re-up with an organization which seemingly turns over every year?
It's no longer unusual for an NBA franchise to part ways with a successful coach. We just saw it in Indiana. We saw it in Denver, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City before that. But the Grizzlies have now lost their three most successful coaches nearly immediately after the moments for which they were most celebrated. If that's stability, I'm Red Auerbach.
So now the pressure is on Wallace to make a franchise-saving hire. Frank Vogel is an obvious choice. He was just ousted in Indiana. He'd bring instant credibility and respect. But does a coach like Vogel want to cast his lot with an aging roster and an injured center? With a franchise that has made QuickChange something more than a halftime show?
"We are a stable and unified organization," Wallace said.
He must have meant, "Starting now."
Sports on 05/08/2016