Grizzlies fire head coach Mike Fratello

Memphis Grizzlies head coach Mike Fratello was fired Thursday following a 6-24 start, the worst in the NBA.

Fratello departs as the franchise leader in wins, posting a 95-83 record since replacing Hubie Brown as head coach on Dec. 2, 2004.

More importantly, he guided Memphis to the playoffs in each of the past two seasons.

But this season, the Grizzlies floundered out of the gate without all-star forward Pau Gasol, who missed their first 22 games because of a broken foot sustained in Spain's 75-74 semifinal victory over Argentina at the world basketball championships on Sept. 2.

Spain went on to win the gold medal, 70-47 over Greece, with Gasol named the tournament's most valuable player.

"Unfortunately, this season has been one of disarray, starting this past summer," Fratello said, referring to Gasol's injury.

The last straw was Wednesday's 112-96 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the fifth straight and 11th in 12 games for the Grizzlies.

"We just felt it was time to make a change and move in a different direction based on our record and future goals," Grizzlies president of basketball operations Jerry West said.

Part of the problem was Fratello's reluctance to tinker with the team's up-tempo style of play.

"There's too many defensive breakdowns right now and too many easy layups right now," Gasol said. "The whole thing is getting to our head and it's affecting on every aspect of the game."

"I'm sorry I have not been able to find a way up to this point to turn things around," Fratello said. "And I understand why a change needs to be made."

Fratello coached the Atlanta Hawks for eight seasons, winning NBA coach of the year honours in 1986, before taking control of the Cleveland Cavaliers for six seasons.

He later became a television broadcaster before being lured back to the sideline with Memphis.

Fratello is one of 19 head coaches to win 600 NBA games, accomplishing the feat on March 4, 2005.

His 667 career wins in 1,213 games coached rank 17th in league history.

Speculation is Grizzlies director of player personnel Tony Barone Sr. will be named interim head coach on Friday.