LeBron, Tatum React To Jazz Fizdale, Hardy Hires
Jun 28, 2022, 4:55 PM | Updated: Jun 29, 2022, 9:26 am
Jayson Tatum shoots against LeBron James (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Two of the NBA’s biggest superstars weren’t shy about their adulation for David Fizdale and Will Hardy after it was announced they were being hired by the Utah Jazz.
Both Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Boston Celtics wunderkind Jayson Tatum took to Twitter Tuesday to celebrate the Jazz new hires.
“Yessir Fizz,” James tweeted.
So 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!! Yessir Fizz https://t.co/EEU2M0JmwN
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 28, 2022
Fizdale was an assistant coach for the Miami Heat during James four-year stint in South Beach. The two, along with Jazz part-owner Dwyane Wade made four consecutive Finals appearances, winning two championships together.
Most recently, Fizdale was a member of Frank Vogel’s coaching staff with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 season that featured James.
In addition to James and Wade, Fizdale worked with Jazz point guard Mike Conley for two seasons as the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies between 2016 and 2018.
Tatum Endorses Hardy
Tatum, meanwhile, offered a glowing endorsement for Hardy who is reportedly set to become the Jazz next head coach.
“Couldn’t be happier for my guy!” Tatum tweeted. “Extremely deserving.”
Couldn’t be happier for my guy! Extremely deserving https://t.co/CQPEGFtPDg
— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) June 28, 2022
Tatum spent just one season in Boston with Hardy who joined Ime Udoka’s staff ahead of the 2021-22 season, but the two broke through the Eastern Conference Finals together before falling to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.
Hardy had previously interviewed for head coaching positions with the Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Indiana Pacers in their previous searches before landing the job with the Jazz.
Jazz Fans Like Hardy
Though the news is young, Jazz fans appear to be on board with the team’s decision to name Hardy as the next head coach.
According to a Twitter poll conducted by KSL Sports, an overwhelming number of Jazz fans are excited about the hire.
At the time this article was published, more than 80 percent of Jazz fans said they were excited about the decision to add Hardy.
What do you think @utahjazz fans, are you happy with the hiring of Will Hardy as the new head coach?#TakeNote
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 28, 2022
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Jazz assistant Alex Jensen, Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, and Phoenix Suns assistant Kevin Young were all finalists for the vacant job.
