SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. -- Lionel Hollins is looking forward to return to Memphis on Feb. 10.
But that won’t be the first time the new coach of the Brooklyn Nets faces his former team.
The Nets take on the Grizzlies on Jan. 14 at Barclays Center.
“Like I told [Marc] Gasol and like he told me, he said, ‘It’s gonna be weird beating you. And I replied, ‘It’s gonna be weird beating you, too,’” Hollins said Friday.
Gasol turned into one of the best two-way centers in the NBA playing under Hollins.
In Hollins’ four full seasons in Memphis (2009-13), Gasol averaged 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds on 51.8 percent shooting.
“Obviously it’s gonna mean more [playing the Grizzlies] because of the players involved,” Hollins said.