Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace and head coach Lionel Hollins met with the media this morning for the first time since the end of last season’s playoff run. As is typical of these types of public press conferences, there as not much in the way of actual news.
Hollins confirmed that he will be hiring two new assistant coaches, replacing both departed assistants, Johnny Davis and Damon Stoudamire, but didn’t specify a timetable for the hires. Hollins noted that incumbent assistant Dave Joerger will be moving into Davis’ old slot as lead assistant. As for what type of coaches he’s looking for, Hollins mentioned a couple of qualities.
In praising Stoudamire, Hollins noted that in addition to his work in practices and games, Stoudamire had been invaluable in helping manage the personalities on the team and in dealing with players and their families and associates as people. This is an element of running a team — remember Bill Simmons’ Isaiah Thomas-credited mantra, “The secret of basketball is that it isn’t about basketball” — that we probably don’t put enough emphasis on. As Hollins joked, to be a good coach, “You need a counseling degree, a psychology degree, a dad degree.”
