HoopsHype.com Rumors

Rick Bonnell: Lionel Hollins -- free agent after this season -- would so be the best Bobcats coach. Chances? Don't hold your breath. Twitter @rick_bonnell

Charlotte Bobcats, Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Ronald Tillery: Gasol: "But I believe Coach (Hollins) brought a mentality that I was used to – hard work, no excuses and treating everybody the same." Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol, Lionel Hollins 

“Would I liked to have had a contract before this? Of course,” said Lionel Hollins, now in his fifth consecutive season and third stint as the Grizzlies coach, a relationship that dates back to the franchise’s roots in Vancouver. “But that’s a decision that’s made and you go and do the best job you can, and it’s not like it had to be done before the season is over. It’s just like players, you can extend players early or you can wait till later. Guys become free agents and they go out in free agency and sometimes it gives you leverage and sometimes it doesn’t.” NBA.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Milling in the visitor’s locker room at Staples Center on Monday, new Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien praised Hollins’ coaching chops this season, but offered no insight into the new ownership group’s thinking. “We, as an organization, agreed we wouldn’t have any comments other than to say that he’s a real asset to the team,” Levien told NBA.com. “I think we had the best record in franchise history. I think that Lionel led the way to that, led us through some adversity, real adversity in changing of players, in changing ownership. The interesting thing in the process when you buy a team is that you don’t get to talk to the management and the coaches while you’re in that process, so we really stepped in on Nov. 1. And so we got to know everybody and it’s been a very positive season overall.” NBA.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Ronald Tillery: Practice -- Griz coach Lionel Hollins with an economy of words. Used a max of 10 words to answer each question. Twitter @CAGrizBlog

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Kevin Arnovitz: Q for Lionel Hollins: How do you adjust to avoid those ticky-tack fouls? A: "Stop committing ticky-tack fouls." Twitter @kevinarnovitz

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Brett Pollakoff: No comment from Lionel Hollins on reports of Marc Gasol winning DPOY. Wants to wait until announcement is official. Twitter @BrettEP

Memphis Grizzlies, Marc Gasol, Lionel Hollins 

Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins doesn’t think his future in Memphis is tied to how far the team advances in the playoffs. His players certainly don’t believe a contract extension for Hollins should come down to the postseason. “You have to look at it as a whole in terms of what coach has done for this team and this city. He’s changed the whole mentality and the culture as far as professional basketball,” center Marc Gasol said. “You have to give him the credit. The team has improved every year. And every member of the core group has grown because our coach keeps pushing us to do more. I don’t see myself playing for another coach. I just don’t see it.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

But there is a growing perception that the organization could be waiting to see whether the team advances past the first round after losing an opening-round Game 7 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers last year. Hollins doesn’t believe that is the case. “There are a lot of teams that have successful seasons that don’t win in the first round,” Hollins said. “Look at San Antonio against us a couple of years ago. They won 61 games. That’s a successful season. But what happens in the playoffs is a different story. They caught a team on the rise and playing well. It happens. Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Shooting guard Tony Allen said coaching without any guarantee beyond this season hasn’t affected Hollins, and he’s almost certain that it won’t entering the playoffs. “What’s impressed me about him is he’s kept his poise. He hasn’t been nervous,” Allen said. “He’s just been plain old, hard-nosed Hollins. I like it. He’s been keeping his composure and willing us to victories. That’s big for us.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Tony Allen, Lionel Hollins 

Lionel Hollins does not yet have a contract for next season. The emphasis, though, is firmly on yet. One coaching source consulted this week said it was "very likely" that Hollins will receive a new contract from the Grizzlies after the playoffs, as initial frustrations from the coach in the wake of the Rudy Gay trade in late January -- and the bosses subjected to those frustrations -- have quickly faded thanks to the fact that Memphis still has the best team in franchise history even without Gay. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Word is that even a first-round exit is unlikely to dissuade the Grizzlies from trying to retain Hollins. There's also a theory out there that Hollins would actually like to survey the field, knowing he's sure to receive offers from other teams, but I'm not buying that one. Given how successful Hollins has been in Memphis and how well-regarded he is by Grizz fans, I don't see him looking to leave. ESPN.com

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Back to the Rudy Gay trade: Were you informed every step of the way? Or did you just generally know this was happening? Lionel Hollins: Of course, of course. People made it seem like I didn't know, or that I was upset. I wasn't upset. Somebody asked me a question: "Would you want to do the trade or not?" And I said I would not. But I also voiced that to management before the trade was even made, because they asked me. They asked about the specific package — Davis and Prince? Lionel Hollins: Oh, yeah. On every package. Grantland

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Lionel Hollins 

So perhaps it’s fair to say you think the game then was better, but maybe not the players? Lionel Hollins: The depth of athleticism now is better. The depth of basketball IQ, of competitiveness, of manliness, was better then. Manliness? Lionel Hollins: Oh, there are a few men still in the league now. But guys then were playing for their living — playing for their families and their livelihoods. There are guys in the league now who don't even care if they ever play, if they ever get off the bench. Grantland

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

Zach Randolph’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. Lionel Hollins cracked a joke. There is a growing belief that the Grizzlies’ veteran power forward and head coach aren’t on the same page as they prepare for a postseason run. However, both men dismissed that notion Thursday, saying there is no friction between them. “Our relationship is fine,” Randolph said. “I respect my coach.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Lionel Hollins 

The Grizzlies return to FedExForum on Friday night for a meeting against the Houston Rockets after losing back-to- back games on the road. Memphis fell behind the New York Knicks by 30 points during a loss Wednesday night when the Knicks’ broadcasters suggested that there was a wedge between Hollins and Randolph. “The only beef I had with Zach is he was excessively late for a shootaround that started at 4:30 p.m. (last Saturday),” Hollins said. “I told him I can’t start you and he understood. Everybody’s got their opinion about what goes on in our locker room. But only the people in there know. I haven’t had a beef with Zach and he hasn’t had one with me.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Lionel Hollins 

Hollins said any correlation between Randolph’s recent poor performances and their relationship is off base because there are basketball reasons why Randolph has struggled lately. “We’re getting him the ball,” Hollins said. “If you watch the games, we’re getting him the ball. It’s just now teams are taking him away. They’re running three people at him and he’s making passes. Other people are having to step up and try to do things. It’s just the way it is.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Lionel Hollins 

As for the idea that he might not Memphis next year, Hollins, who is in the final year of his contract said that’s not his plan. “I think I’ll be in Memphis. I believe I’ll be in Memphis. There’s nothing cut in stone, but that’s my thought process. And if it’s not in Memphis than I’ll try to coach somewhere else and do the best job I can,” Hollins said. “But my thought process is I will be in Memphis, I love the city, I love the organization and the players that we have developed. This is where I’ve been, this is where I’ve had my first real opportunity, and where I’ve had my first success. So I wouldn’t want to go anywhere, but I know the business of basketball and my mind would be open and if it had to happen I would leave. But that’s not my thought process; my thought process is to be here in Memphis.” Jim Rome

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins 

“I’m speechless. This really bothers me,” said All-Star forward Zach Randolph, who visited with Heisley in Houston. “He’s a good guy and a man of his word. He took care of us and believed in us. I’m praying for him.” Griz coach Lionel Hollins broke the news to the team Saturday afternoon after a practice in FedExForum. The Griz then left to board a flight for Brooklyn, where they will play the Nets on Sunday night in the new Barclays Center. “It’s sad,” Hollins said. “I send my prayers out to the family. Mike Heisley has been good to me. It’s sad to see this happen and for him to be in this situation. We’ll continue to pray for him and wish him a speedy recovery.” Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Zach Randolph, Michael Heisley, Lionel Hollins 

Robert Pera on Hollins' contract situation: “I think all that for now is confidential. The final decision will come down to Jason and I’ll approve whichever direction he wants to go." Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies, Coaching, Lionel Hollins, Robert Pera