Memphis paper runs the wrong photo of new Grizzlies head coach

David Fizdale, an assistant unknown to many basketball fans, has been hired as the new head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. He hasn’t shaken anonymity just yet though.

Yesterday, David Fizdale was announced as the new head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. The name might not sound familiar, but you’ve probably seen his face before. Fizdale had worked for the Miami Heat since 2008, first as director of player development and then as associate head coach to Erik Spoelstra.

Chances are you’ve seen Fizdale over the past few years, standing behind LeBron James in a huddle, or sitting next to Dwyane Wade on the bench. Unfortunately, a local paper in Memphis confused Fizdale with someone else who spent a lot of time sitting on the Heat’s bench.

https://twitter.com/ChrisVernonShow/status/736198465529610240/photo/1

That’s Juwan Howard, who played for the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2013, and then joined the team’s coaching staff as an assistant.

Fizdale is stepping into a difficult job. The Grizzlies were decimated by injuries this season and their grind-it-out style revealed itself to be an increasingly untenable strategy for championship contention. The team’s starting point guard, Mike Conley, is also an unrestricted free agent this summer. The job offers plenty of challenges and plenty more opportunities to get his face in the paper, hopefully with an actual photo of him this time.

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