Is Marc Iavaroni's Job Safer Than We Think?

Via SLAM, Griz beat writer Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal uses his blog to express skepticism at national media claims Marc Iavaroni's job is in danger.

Tillery insists that former Memphis GM Jerry West had been the cat pushing for Iavaroni's ouster last summer, both in owner Michael Heisley's ear and through the national media (namely, ESPN). But Tillery thinks Heisley, burned by scathing criticism to the Pau Gasol trade, is no longer listening to West ... or anyone.

Heisley no longer seeks or accepts advice. Whatever happens will be his decision without influence.

Tillery adds all this up to a prediction Iavaroni has until at least January to get his Grizzlies on the right path. Monday night offered two promising events: Memphis beat the shorthanded but potent Rockets, and Iavaroni proved he had sway in the locker room by benching Rudy Gay for a tardiness infraction. Gay played his tail off once he got in, scoring 20 points in 24 minutes. Players don't do that if they want their coach fired. (Of course, the real news from Memphis-Houston was Darko Milicic's insane display of anger/strength.)

While the four early sackings have made writers like ESPN's Chris Sheridan predict there will be more blood, there's a distinct possibility we won't see any more changes until the summer. Sacramento GM Geoff Petrie seems distinctly content with Reggie Theus, Mike Dunleavy isn't going anywhere, and I remain dubious to the idea Maurice Cheeks could be canned after an admittedly slow start with a reinvented wheel.