Yesterday afternoon the Memphis Grizzlies fired head coach David Fizdale amid the team's eight-game losing streak and the move irked some current and former players.
Among those who didn't think Fizdale deserved to be fired was former NBAer Stephen Jackson, who took to social media to show support for Fizdale and take shots at Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons. Due to knee injuries, Parsons has played in just 51 games for Memphis since signing a four-year $94 million contract two years ago.
Jackson shared an image on Instagram that read, "U give 100 million to a guy that don't even care about the game or winning but u expect a coach to make a miracle happen." He added the following caption,
"S/O Coach Fizdale u can’t want it more than the players u coach. Can’t go to war with no soldiers. How u expect him to win with no dogs on his team and PG hurt. Fixed fight if u tell me. Fire chandler Parsons. #GBG Truth Hurts."
Shortly thereafter, Jackson posted a video in which he says (H/T USA Today), "That was a fixed fight, man. You can't expect a coach to win with guys that don't even care about the game. You get rid of Zach (Randolph), you get rid of Tony Allen. ... When you trade players like that, you lose the heart of the team. ... You got players making $100 million (and) average nine points."
Parsons commented on Jackson's video,
"it's wild to me that someone who has been in my shoes, knows how hard it is to get here, and knows how bad injuries suck, to hate so hard," Parsons wrote on Instagram. "you mad i can provide for my family? i don't love the game cuz i had 3 knee surgeries? u make no sense and sound bitter. nba is a brotherhood . stop hatin."
Captain Jack then responded by informing Parsons that they are not brothers and "anybody would want me over u as a teammate."
"Sorry all basketball players ain't cool facts. I've been better than u and still is. The fact is it sucks to see guys make coaches look bad because they don't wanna give 110percent. I love the game. Always have. We didn't take the same path. We are completely diff."
Parsons, 29, has played in 17 of the Grizzlies' 19 games this season, averaging 8.6 points in roughly 20 minutes of action per night. Memphis is 7-12, riding an eight-game losing streak, and currently playing without Mike Conley who is recovering from an achilles tendon injury.
Check out the string of IG posts below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcBWOCADs2t
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcBX9T9DHhu