Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale goes off on officials after loss (Video)

Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale was not happy following his team’s Game Two loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He called out the officials after the game.

Memphis Grizzlies coach David Fizdale is starting down his first 2-0 deficit as a head coach in the NBA. And he is not happy with the officiating that got him there.

Following the Memphis Grizzlies’ 96-82 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game Two of their first-round series, Fizdale went off on the officiating in the game after Kawhi Leonard shot 19 free throws compared to the Grizzlies’ 15 free throw attempts.

Memphis cut a 26-point lead down to four points, but slowly saw San Antonio pull away in the fourth quarter. The Grizzlies could not get to the line despite plenty of opportunities in the paint and attacks to the basket.

Fizdale was not happy with the disparity to say the least.

"“It’s unfortunate that I got a guy like Mike Conley who in his whole career has got zero technical fouls and cannot seem to get the proper respect from the officials that he deserves. It was a very poorly officiated basketball game. Zach Randolph, the most rugged guy in the game, had zero free throws. But somehow Kawhi Leonard had 19 free throws. In the first half, we had 19 shots in the paint and we had six free throws. They shot 11 times and they had 23 free throws. I’m not a numbers guy, but that doesn’t seem to add up. We had 15 free throws for the game. Overall, 35 times we shot in the paint. We had 15 free throws fro the game. They shot 18 times in the paint and had 32 free throws. Kawhi shot more free throws than our whole team. Explain it to me. We don’t get the respect these guys deserve because Mike Conley doesn’t go crazy. He has class and just plays the game. I’m not going to let them treat us this way. I know Pop has got pedigree and I’m a young rookie. They aren’t going to rook us. That is unacceptable. That was unprofessional. My guys dug into that game and earned to be in that game and they did not even give us a chance. Take that for data!”"

Fizdale slammed the table as he walked away from the podium after that tirade after less than two minutes answering questions. He was still clearly hot after the game.

There is a long history of coaches inviting a fine from the league and calling out officials after losses. They usually see the pendulum swing the other way.

Fizdale did have a point or two. His team did get beat up in the paint and there were more than a few instances where a headband or two were knocked off without a call.

The Grizzlies ended up shooting 15 for 35 from inside the paint with just 15 free throw attempts. The Spurs indeed took only 18 attempts inside the paint.

The obvious answer to Fizdale’s problems is not to fall behind by 26 points and have to rely on the officiating to get back into the game. But, then again, Memphis’ style is to play physical. The Grizzlies tend to foul a lot. For this game, Memphis ended with 22 fouls compared to San Antonio’s 13.

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The fine for Fizdale is almost certainly coming. We will see how the officials respond when the Grizzlies host the Spurs in Game Three on Thursday.