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Pacers assistant coach Dave McClure is joining Taylor Jenkins’ Memphis Grizzlies staff, a league source confirms to @TheAthleticIND. He’ll move to the front of the bench and play a huge part in developing a young team. @ThisIsJMichael with the news first.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 24, 2019
The Memphis Grizzlies seem to have taken the first step in filling out head coach Taylor Jenkins’s coaching staff in the form of Pacers assistant Dave McClure. Like Jenkins, McClure is another young, up and coming talent in the NBA coaching ranks. Only 33, McClure is set to join his third franchise in six seasons.
McClure got his start with the San Antonio Spurs under Gregg Popovich, just as Jenkins did to begin his career. After two seasons with the Spurs, he became a player development coach with the Indiana Pacers in 2015, a role he is now leaving to join the Grizzlies.
As was the case with Jenkins, not much is known about McClure. However, some information via Scott Agness of The Athletic can be found here and here. Furthermore, his pedigree beginning with Spurs and continuing with the Pacers is highly encouraging. Nate Taylor of the Indy Star had a detailed story of McClure’s direct impact on the development of the Pacers’ young players in 2017. The Pacers have been one of the best teams at developing young talent over the past few years, and are set to be a playoff contender for years to come.
It is likely more moves will be announced in the near future to complete the staff. It seems the Grizzlies franchise is continuing its trend of bringing in young, talented minds over experience with the hiring of McClure. So far, that approach has worked wonders. Combining Jenkins’ and McClure’s pedigrees and reputations seems to be a great start in creating a great staff to support the development of the Grizzlies’ young talent.