NBA Free Agency: Grading This Offseason's 9 Head Coach Hirings So Far

Memphis Grizzlies - J.B Bickerstaff (interim coach for 2017-18 season) to replace David Fizdale

Bickerstaff answering questions at a Grizzlies press conference

His past experience: Bickerstaff served as the assistant coach for the Charlotte Hornets from 2004 to 2007, assistant coach for the Timberwolves from 2007 to 2011, assistant coach for the Rockets from 2011 to 2015, interim head coach for the Rockets for part of the 2015-16 season, assistant coach of the Grizzlies for the 2016-17 season, and interim head coach for the Grizzlies this past season.

As the interim head coach for the Rockets, Bickerstaff went 37-34 with the Rockets and lost in the first round. As an interim head coach for the Grizzlies, Bickerstaff went 15-48, but this was due in part to the Grizzlies suffering many injuries with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol.

How will he fit: I do think the Grizzlies could have made a better head coach hiring instead of Bickerstaff. There are doubts surrounding Bickerstaff since he has not experienced that much success as a head coach or even as an assistant coach for any NBA team that he has been with. Bickerstaff took over for the Grizzlies earlier this year when the team fired Fizdale due to miscommunication between Fiz and Marc Gasol.

The team suffered many injuries this year to their star players, which is why the 15-48 record is an unfair evaluation for Bickerstaff. The president of the Grizzlies announced the team will win 50 games this year, which puts a lot of pressure on Bickerstaff and the Memphis doctors.

Bickerstaff will be under pressure to take this team to the playoffs, he does not have much experience with success, but he has a chance to prove himself this coming season.

Grade: C