Dave Joerger on contract extension: 'The owner and I are married now'

Meeting with reporters in his first news conference since signing a contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies, head coach Dave Joerger did his best to qualm concerns over his reportedly strained relationship with owner Robert Pera.

"There's a relief for me," Joerger said. "It's like 'Whew,' the owner and I are married now. This feels really good and really positive."

Joerger can insist all he wants that him and Pera are "married now," but it seemed like a pairing doomed to fail before the coach signed his extension. 

A report came out on Monday that Pera wanted to fire Joerger after failing to set up a game of one-on-one between himself and Tony Allen. The incident, which Pera adamantly denied, was reportedly only the beginning of a number of clashes between the two.

However, a meeting that took place between Joerger and Pera over the weekend appears to have done a great deal of good for their relationship, as it allowed them to get on the same page regarding the future of the Grizzlies.

"We had a good really good heart-to-heart, one-on-one conversation and we have a very shared vision of what we can do here," Joerger said.