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Tony Jones on the NBA: Memphis' David Fizdale is just the latest NBA coach to lose a battle with a star player

Lose eight consecutive games and something has to change. It could be as simple as a change in the starting lineup. It could be as serious as firing a coach.

Ultimately, David Fizdale lost his job in Memphis this past week because of a lengthy losing streak, a clash with his best player Marc Gasol and a front office that changes leadership seemingly about as often as one changes a hairstyle.

On the surface, the Grizzlies firing Fizdale doesn’t seem right. This is a coach almost universally lauded as a sharp basketball mind, a passionate teacher and a coach who relates to his players.