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Fizdale: 'I really take ownership' of Gasol feud

Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty

David Fizdale says he's had some time to reflect on the mistakes he made as the Memphis Grizzlies' bench boss, and he's ready to start fresh with the New York Knicks - who officially named him head coach on Monday.

After a strong first season in Memphis, Fizdale quickly fell out of favor in Year 2 after butting heads with Grizzlies star Marc Gasol. The good news for Knicks fans is that Fizdale feels better prepared for his second head coaching position.

"I really take ownership of that," Fizdale said of his fallout with Gasol, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. "We didn't necessarily click on things. That's my responsibility as a coach to get players to buy in, collaborate, come together. For whatever reason, we bumped heads. But I took that to heart. My wife can tell you better than anyone, I've been meeting with some super leaders from all industries and all walks of life and getting their feedback on how to manage and deal with different situations … and really try to dive into being better and growing from the situation.

"I'm really tough on myself. I self-reflect, which is not always easy to look at the mirror and say you were part of the problem. I hopefully can improve on it and apply it to this situation."

Fizdale finished 43-39 in his first season in Memphis before a 7-12 start to his second year led to his dismissal.

The Grizzlies had established a "grit and grind" culture the seasons prior to Fizdale's arrival, leading to six straight postseason appearances. The former Miami Heat assistant came ready to implement his own ideas, reportedly saying the Grizzlies are going to do things "the Miami Heat way," a source told Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.

At one point during the drama, Fizdale asked players around the locker room if they believed the team could win a championship, to which Gasol answered "No, we don't have the right leader," a source told Bondy.

Fizdale responded, saying "I get it, you want Gregg Popovich, and I want LeBron James," according to the source.

With the team lacking an established culture after firing Phil Jackson, Fizdale's first order of business will likely revolve around creating a winning attitude in the Knicks' locker room.

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