Grizzlies Happy With Coach Iavaroni's Job Performance

"It's been tough," Coach Marc Iavaroni said about his rookie season.

It was a rookie season in which he had to deal with releasing long time point guard Damon Stoudamire and trading away the team's franchise player in Pau Gasol.

While it may not be reflected in the Grizzlies 22-60 record, Iavaroni did the best with what he was given. "No other coach would have been able to handle the situation he was put into," said rookie point guard Mike Conley. "He did a great job."

General Manager Chris Wallace echoed those sentiments. He added, "He dealt with a difficult situation. We had one team at the beginning of the season, then another post Pau."

Wallace said the development of the players and their increased value was an important measuring tool in determining the progress of his team. "He kept the team together, despite them not going to be in the playoffs," said Wallace.

Wallace however, would not immediately commit to Iavaroni as his coach next season. "I can't say that," he said. "There will be a decision on the coaching situation over the next couple weeks."

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