【1982 Archives】

His Memphis Grizzlies lost the game982 Archives but coach David Fizdale definitelywon the internet.

So, uh, take that for data!

Fizdale's Grizzlies faced the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night in the opening game of their first-round NBA Playoffs series. Memphis mounted a furious comeback after getting blown out early but ultimately fell to the Spurs, 96-82.

In his post-game press conference, Fizdale went offon the game's referees. He recited a litany of stats from the podium, mostly focused on San Antonio getting way more foul calls than Memphis, as he worked himself into more fervor with every word.

"I'm not a numbers guy, but that doesn't seem to add up," he said of free-throw discrepancy between the two teams.

Then Fizdale delivered his money line, the kicker that immediately entered the pantheon of coaching rants, the final thought that instantly sent the internet into hysterics:

"Take that for data!"

Then he smacked the table with his right hand, stood up, and walked off.

Legendary.

*fire emoji

*air horns blaring

Here — it's even better in video form.

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In an unsurprising twist, the internet completely ate Fizdale's rant up. You can reasonably expect to hear "Take that for data!" declared in everyday situations for the next several weeks. For example ...

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By Tuesday morning, it was even on an official Grizzlies shirt.

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And so it was that David Fizdale joined Allen Iverson, Mike Gundy, and so many more in the Sports Rant Hall of Fame.

So take thatfor data, folks.

Wait — we already said that. But that's how you know a new meme is gold — it gets better with each repetition. (That's not a scientific rule, by the way, but you can take it for data anyway if you like.)

pbt

Expert writer and contributor. Passionate about sharing knowledge and insights on various topics.