MINNEAPOLIS -- Dave Joerger isn't going anywhere.
The Minnesota-born Joerger has decided to stay in Memphis and coach the Grizzlies, a day after meeting with the Minnesota Timberwolves about their head coaching vacancy, his agent told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Joerger interviewed twice with the Timberwolves over three days, including a meeting with owner Glen Taylor on Saturday evening. But Joerger returned to Memphis on Saturday night and then had several conversations with Grizzlies owner Robert Pera before ultimately deciding on Sunday to stay put.
"I think Dave is a great coach," Pera tweeted. "But, personnel has to want to be in Memphis. I know now Dave 100 (percent) wants to be here."
Pera dismissed two of the Grizzlies' top basketball executives, causing Joerger to grow concerned about his job as well. So he flew to Minnesota to discuss joining the Timberwolves before Pera convinced him to stay with the Grizzlies, who finished 50-32 and lost in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Joerger's first season as head coach.
"Minnesota did everything right," agent Warren LeGarie said. "Dave would've had no problem going there. It was just that he and owner Robert Pera were able to come to a much clearer understanding and ultimately the owner made it clear. He backed it up with words and deeds" (see full story).
Heat: LeBron says team not playing its best
MIAMI -- LeBron James says the Miami Heat still have not played their best in the Eastern Conference finals.
NBA
He also knows the Indiana Pacers would say the same.
Such is the story going into Game 4 at Miami on Monday night, with the Heat up 2-1 in the series.
James and the Heat have been outplayed for long stretches of the first three games, yet still have the series lead after pulling off late comebacks in the last two matchups.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel says it's like a little brother having to learn how to beat a big brother, and his team knew exactly what he meant. Indiana's Lance Stephenson said now is the time for the Pacers to learn from the pain of having Miami oust them from each of the past two postseasons (see full story).