The Grizzlies will begin the 2016-17 campaign against the upstart and suddenly frisky (most would assume) Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night in the Grind House. It won’t be the Grizzlies debut of Chandler Parsons unfortunately who will be sitting the game out, but it will be the first game as head coach for longtime Miami Heat assistant coach David Fizdale.
How has Fizdale decided to honor his first head coaching opportunity you might ask? By purchasing and giving away 500 free tickets to local Memphians (that is correct, I double-checked) for the game.
Talk about a good first impression.
Grizz fans are lined up for free tickets. Head Coach David Fizdale bought 500 tickets he'll give away at 1pm. pic.twitter.com/6hI6pbL6oC
— ABC24 Memphis (@ABC24Memphis) October 25, 2016
This is an absolutely awesome gesture by a coach who was highly regarded as a great hire this off-season and is well-regarded around the league for his character and coaching acumen.
I foresee the Grizzlies (if healthy which is a huge question for them) having a big bounce back season in 2016-17 and re-inserting themselves into the top four or five of the western conference. Either way, it’s hard to root against a coach like David Fizdale.
