Fratello meets with Grizzlies officials

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Fratello meets with Grizzlies officials

November 27, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Former NBA coach Mike Fratello met with Memphis Grizzlies officials about the team's vacant coaching position.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Saturday that the former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coach met with president of basketball operation Jerry West.

``Jerry basically interviewed or talked with Mike Fratello,'' Heisley said. ``He didn't tell me what went on in the interview. I haven't talked to him about it, and I haven't talked to Mike Fratello about it. I assume they had a good talk, and I have no reason to believe they won't be talking again.''

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Fratello has been mentioned as the replacement for 71-year-old Hubie Brown, who retired Thursday citing unspecified health reasons. Assistant coach Lionel Hollins was named interim coach.

``Nothing's been said to me,'' Hollins said before Saturday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. ``I just know I was asked to coach. That's what I was asked to do.''

Fratello, a television analyst for Turner Sports, coached the Hawks for eight seasons and the Cavaliers for six. His overall NBA record is 572-465.

Heisley said the decision on a new coach is being handled by West, and he is unaware of a timetable for naming Brown's replacement.

``Jerry will tell me what the timetable is,'' Heisley said. ``He hasn't told me who it is going to be. I don't know any more than you guys know about who it is going to be and when it is going to be.''

Heisley discounted reports that the team already hired Fratello.

``It's news to me,'' Heisley said. ``I think I'd know if we had a contract.''

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Fratello waiting to hear back from Memphis, says no deal in place
MIAMI (AP) -- Mike Fratello had ``a nice conversation'' with the Memphis Grizzlies about the team's vacant coaching position, but said no deal was in place for him to take over the club Sunday.

Fratello addressed the issue during the telecast of the Boston-Miami game, which he was working as a color commentator for the Sunshine Network. He met with Grizzlies president of basketball operation Jerry West and general manager Versace for about four hours Saturday, and said another meeting was expected.

``We talked about the future of the franchise, talked about what they were looking for, ran down all the players on the team and said we'd be back and talk once again,'' Fratello said. ``That's about as far as it's gone.''

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Fratello has been mentioned as the replacement for 71-year-old Hubie Brown, who retired Thursday citing unspecified health reasons. Assistant coach Lionel Hollins was named interim coach.

Fratello -- who worked for four seasons as Brown's assistant with Atlanta and the New York Knicks -- coached the Hawks for eight seasons and the Cleveland Cavaliers for six. His overall NBA record is 572-465.

``I'm just waiting to hear back from Memphis, and we'll go from there,'' Fratello said.

He walked into the Heat locker room about 90 minutes before tipoff Sunday, and was immediately greeted with a shout of ``Congratulations'' from Miami center Shaquille O'Neal, who offered Fratello a big handshake.

``Nothing's happened yet,'' Fratello told O'Neal. ``We just talked. That's all.''

Still, O'Neal continued to lobby Fratello not to send too many defenders his way when the Heat and Grizzlies meet this season.

``When you get it, don't double-team me,'' O'Neal said, ``because I'll tear you up.''