Memphis Grizzlies defensive coordinator David Joerger, promoted as lead assistant coach: NBA Update
The Memphis Grizzlies defensive coordinator David Joerger was promoted as Grizzlies lead assistant coach on Friday. The Grizzlies management acknowledged his previous efforts as a defensive coordinator and offered him a lead assistant’s
job along with many financial benefits. Joerger has agreed to a two-year responsibility with the Grizzlies.
David Joerger has spent almost four years with the Grizzlies, who had been looking for a first-class replacement for their former assistant coach Johnny Davis. Davis left the Grizzlies earlier this month to join the Toronto Raptors
as a lead assistant coach.
The Memphis Grizzlies current head coach Lionel Hollins was very happy on Joerger’s inclusion as an assistant coach. Appreciating Joerger’s character and his hard-work, Hollins said.
“I’m happy for (Joerger). He was instrumental in us being successful. Keeping him gives me a little peace of mind. It’s really disappointing that we lost two guys because in any endeavour you want continuity. You want to have trust
in who your coaches are and what they are about. And that takes time to develop. It’s hard to find coaches who know how to be followers but are leaders. There were a lot of fires he could put out. I need to bring in a grunt worker and a player development
guy, Player development is very important in this new NBA.”
Hollins also told the media as they have lost two very good coaches this month and inclusion of Joerger would increase the productivity of his team. Firstly Johnny Davis and then assistant coach Damon Stoudamire left the Grizzlies
in middle of the lockout. Stoudamire, who considered a very thoughtful coach, joined the University of Memphis and became their men’s basketball coach.
Before becoming the Grizzlies lead assistant coach, Joerger were also persuaded by Houston Rockets management for the same role, but they could not finalize a deal with them. The Rockets eventually brought Kelvin Sampson into their
coaching staff.
Joerger made in his way into the Grizzlies coaching staff in 2007 when he took the responsibility as a defensive coordinator and made a significant stride towards enhancing the Grizzlies defence abilities. He was responsible of
team’s defensive strategies and how the Grizzlies entire roster would play on the court without giving any loop holes to their opponents. The Grizzlies showed very good results last season when the qualified for the playoffs and reached the conference semi-finals.
Dived Joerger also had a promising career before making a debut in the NBA. He was also the head coach Dakota Wizards of NBA’s Development League and helped them to win a Championship in 2006-2007.
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