Tweet
Grizzlies fire Bickerstaff in major shake-up
As part of a seismic organizational overhaul, the Memphis Grizzlies fired coach J.B. Bickerstaff and reassigned general manager Chris Wallace on Thursday
Wallace and vice president of basketball operations John Hollinger were demoted to scouting and senior advisory roles, respectively.
Bickerstaff had completed his first full season on the job after taking over as interim coach in the 2017-18 season. The organization had been complimentary over his handling of a difficult season of injuries, trades and roster turnover.
Wallace replaced Jerry West as Grizzlies GM in 2007, leading a renaissance of the organization that included acquiring franchise pillars Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. The Grizzlies reached the playoffs seven straight years before missing in each of the past two seasons.
Bickerstaff, 40, was 48-97 in two seasons with the Grizzlies, never making the playoffs. His only other NBA head-coaching experience was as interim in Houston in 2015-16 when he went 37-34.
Wallace and vice president of basketball operations John Hollinger were demoted to scouting and senior advisory roles, respectively.
Bickerstaff had completed his first full season on the job after taking over as interim coach in the 2017-18 season. The organization had been complimentary over his handling of a difficult season of injuries, trades and roster turnover.
Wallace replaced Jerry West as Grizzlies GM in 2007, leading a renaissance of the organization that included acquiring franchise pillars Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. The Grizzlies reached the playoffs seven straight years before missing in each of the past two seasons.
Bickerstaff, 40, was 48-97 in two seasons with the Grizzlies, never making the playoffs. His only other NBA head-coaching experience was as interim in Houston in 2015-16 when he went 37-34.