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In his first game back in the season opener, Chandler Parson was met with boobirds from the Grizzlies crowd. The most emphasis was during his time at the FT line where he missed some free throws. For those who don't live in Memphis, the boobirds visiting Parsons unfortunately result from being paid a $94 million dollar contract has not delivered due to his history of injuries. His PBS(Pretty Boy Syndrome) status on twitter with the models hasn't exactly earned the respect of the Memphis community. Is it possible the fans are being too hard on Parsons? Maybe? When you play 82 games as an athlete, it's not always a guarantee that the athlete will play all 82 games plus playoffs if necessary. Just as much as the athlete in question will make it through his respective career without picking up an injury or worse case developing a history of injuries like Parsons. If you think about it, did Parsons put a gun to the Grizzlies ownership to give him $94 million dollars? No. The Grizzlies knew exactly what they were doing when they gave Parsons all that money. They shelled out a lot of money to a player who skills of his caliber were supposed to help take the Grizzlies to the next level. As most of us know, the Grizzlies decision turned out to be a reckless gamble that's likely not to pay off. If history proves right, it's likely a matter of time before Parsons takes on another injury sometime this season. Here is Parsons and Marc Gasol's responses to the boobirds:

















Based on these videos and how the conundrum that is Chandler Parsons has progress to this point. Is it of the opinion to blame Parsons for his injuries, his wealth, and PBS status. Or is it of the opinion to place the blame on the Grizzlies office for placing their investment into a player who can contribute to the team from the offensive end of the ball, known to have a history of injuries, who will be looked to as the $94 million dollar man who has of yet haven't contribute to the team as advertised?

The front office by a mile, because you can never blame the player for taking the money. The bigger issue is that how on earth does he pass a physical to get the contract insured? That is the mystery that may have cost Drew Graham (former Athletic Trainer) his job along with the Medical Staff. The shining light at the end of the season is that if you can't move him you can just release him and stretch the remaining money over a 5 year period, which would count a little less then ten million per year. The long suffering nightmare may soon be over, at least at the end of the season.

dark-child wrote:The front office by a mile, because you can never blame the player for taking the money. The bigger issue is that how on earth does he pass a physical to get the contract insured? That is the mystery that may have cost Drew Graham (former Athletic Trainer) his job along with the Medical Staff. The shining light at the end of the season is that if you can't move him you can just release him and stretch the remaining money over a 5 year period, which would count a little less then ten million per year. The long suffering nightmare may soon be over, at least at the end of the season.

That's the mystifying part. I always felt either the medical staff at the time were incompetent to perform their abilities. On the other hand, I think the office rather for themselves into this delusion that Parsons would be the guy to be the Grizzlies next "Big 3" tandum.
Either way, it hasn't been a success so far after year one. Here in year two, I wonder how long before he gets injured and miss out on games like Chris Paul is about to do right now for the next month.

Sometimes common sense has to kick in play. I can understand taking a risk or gamble a player and hope and pray the results turns out in your favor(the office). When you don't do your due diligence and weight your pros and cons to determine if a player is worth it or not, you have to deal with the fallout of the consequences. These are the consequences the Grizzlies front office has to deal with. The fans have shown their displeasure at how the decision was made. Unfortunately Chandler Parsons has to bear that 94 million dollar cross on his back for the seeable future.

I disagree with both Chandler and the fans who are booing. It is about time that Chandler takes some responsibility. He is a professional athlete and he was atrocious last year, shooting 39%. Those numbers are staggeringly bad. Given, he wasn't the Chandler Parsons of previous years and some have said he lost a few steps. Instead of getting angry with the fans who are booing (and it wasn't like they were booing everytime he touched the ball), start hitting free throws. That aspect of the game is purely mental and has nothing to do with your recent injuries. Take control of the mental aspect of your game. The fans cheered, albeit somewhat sarcastically, when you actually hit a free throw. At a certain point, you have to bring something to the floor even if you can't justify your contract. Hustle like you never have in the past. Do something to separate yourself and I am sure you will come to appreciate the Memphis family. I wonder how much people following his Twitter in the offseason and seeing him seemingly not spending enough time on his craft has to do with it. Maybe someone here has more perspective on that?

With all that said, I am against the booing because I have played basketball. I know that the mental aspect of the game is so important, especially as a shooter. To have your home fans boo you is the ultimate low. Also, it is difficult because he hasn't ever been at full health since coming to Memphis. Recovering from knee injuries and finding your shot are an important part of the recovery process. He missed last year's preseason and never blended in with the offense. He may just not be a system fit also.

I remember reading about how Chandler was holding himself accountable in the offseason and wanted to do better for the fans. Where is his accountability now? And, why is it okay to miss free throws like this? You are a professional basketball player.


The front office made a horrible mistake not just because of the injuries. It seems he is not a system fit, and that isn't the worst thing in the world. Maybe it is because he can't really create his own shot as much due to the injuries, but I think it was just a poor signing altogether and not really a system fit. Parsons probably functions best off the ball, playing alongside a serious off the dribble drive threat like Harden. We have very few players on our team that can create their own shot. Maybe he would be better served in a system like Cleveland's. The contract is awful too, but that isn't Chandler's fault.

jman3134 wrote:I disagree with both Chandler and the fans who are booing. It is about time that Chandler takes some responsibility. He is a professional athlete and he was atrocious last year, shooting 39%. Those numbers are staggeringly bad. Given, he wasn't the Chandler Parsons of previous years and some have said he lost a few steps. Instead of getting angry with the fans who are booing (and it wasn't like they were booing everytime he touched the ball), start hitting free throws. That aspect of the game is purely mental and has nothing to do with your recent injuries. Take control of the mental aspect of your game. The fans cheered, albeit somewhat sarcastically, when you actually hit a free throw. At a certain point, you have to bring something to the floor even if you can't justify your contract. Hustle like you never have in the past. Do something to separate yourself and I am sure you will come to appreciate the Memphis family. I wonder how much people following his Twitter in the offseason and seeing him seemingly not spending enough time on his craft has to do with it. Maybe someone here has more perspective on that?

With all that said, I am against the booing because I have played basketball. I know that the mental aspect of the game is so important, especially as a shooter. To have your home fans boo you is the ultimate low. Also, it is difficult because he hasn't ever been at full health since coming to Memphis. Recovering from knee injuries and finding your shot are an important part of the recovery process. He missed last year's preseason and never blended in with the offense. He may just not be a system fit also.

I remember reading about how Chandler was holding himself accountable in the offseason and wanted to do better for the fans. Where is his accountability now? And, why is it okay to miss free throws like this? You are a professional basketball player.


The front office made a horrible mistake not just because of the injuries. It seems he is not a system fit, and that isn't the worst thing in the world. Maybe it is because he can't really create his own shot as much due to the injuries, but I think it was just a poor signing altogether and not really a system fit. Parsons probably functions best off the ball, playing alongside a serious off the dribble drive threat like Harden. We have very few players on our team that can create their own shot. Maybe he would be better served in a system like Cleveland's. The contract is awful too, but that isn't Chandler's fault.

Now that you mention that, The Grizzlies haven't had that player in a long time since OJ. Mayo from years before. I don't know if the Grizzlies can acquire such a player with what they have currently on the roster.

Tyreke is half of that player, as he can drive to the hoop, he is just not interested in the kicking it to someone else part.

Mavs fan here.

I would give Grizzlies management about 90% of the blame here. It should have been a huge hint when the Mavs refused to pay him. The Mavs wanted him to opt in for $15 million and prove he was healthy first. He wisely opted out and backed the truck up for the $95 million. The Grizzlies had to pay that much because the Blazers had a similar offer. Parsons is money first. He left the Rockets for a bigger deal in Dallas and left Dallas for a bigger deal in Memphis. The Grizzlies paid him for having a great two month stretch in Dallas. A huge risk for an injury prone player with a small sample size of games.

On paper it was a good fit. The Grizzlies needed a shooter and could cover for Parsons defensive liabilities. The only problem is Parsons is a catch and shoot player. He works best with either an offense based off passing (Mavs) or an offense with a ball dominate player who breaks down the defense (Houston).

I haven’t paid much attention to his work ethic in Memphis, but his awful shooting last year makes me believe he didn’t put as much work as he needed on his shot.

^ I think you touched on my point from earlier. The Grizzlies aren't a great fit because they don't have that dominant shot creator.

fuller4379 wrote:Mavs fan here.

I would give Grizzlies management about 90% of the blame here. It should have been a huge hint when the Mavs refused to pay him. The Mavs wanted him to opt in for $15 million and prove he was healthy first. He wisely opted out and backed the truck up for the $95 million. The Grizzlies had to pay that much because the Blazers had a similar offer. Parsons is money first. He left the Rockets for a bigger deal in Dallas and left Dallas for a bigger deal in Memphis. The Grizzlies paid him for having a great two month stretch in Dallas. A huge risk for an injury prone player with a small sample size of games.

On paper it was a good fit. The Grizzlies needed a shooter and could cover for Parsons defensive liabilities. The only problem is Parsons is a catch and shoot player. He works best with either an offense based off passing (Mavs) or an offense with a ball dominate player who breaks down the defense (Houston).

I haven’t paid much attention to his work ethic in Memphis, but his awful shooting last year makes me believe he didn’t put as much work as he needed on his shot.

Parsons shooting was the result of not being all healthy as necessary last season. With all of these injuries, I don't expect him to fully be 100% efficient to be reliable for the Grizzlies to be that catch and shoot player as needed in the long run. As for the Grizzlies front office as myself and others previously stated, they deserve the majority of the blame. They knew who they were getting in Parsons, warts and all. The fans spend their money to go to these games and expect their high contract players to produces results with near consistency. As CP has found out, the fans will let you know of their displeasure in-spite of things beyond your control.

dark-child wrote:Tyreke is half of that player, as he can drive to the hoop, he is just not interested in the kicking it to someone else part.

Yep. Being that half of player is the reason why I didn't count him in due to his history of injuries. The Grizzlies still need that consistent go to scorer who demands that high attention from the defense.

jman3134 wrote:^ I think you touched on my point from earlier. The Grizzlies aren't a great fit because they don't have that dominant shot creator.

If you were in the Grizzlies front office with what you have on the roster, who would you go after as for as go-to scorers are concern?

SD,

Solid question. The short answer is that the best way to address this need is through the draft. As you know, while we have improved significantly on that front (from being one of the worst drafting teams), we still have a long way to go before we properly identify and cultivate elite go-to, shot creating talent.

In free agency, there are the unrealistic options like CP3, Lebron, Paul George. Then there's the up-in-coming elite level talent that can create their own shots, but don't necessarily make anyone else better. This is fine for our purposes. In the offseason, I would go after Aaron Gordon, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and avoid Jabari Parker due to injury history.


Dark-child,

As usual, you are spot on with regard to Reke. He was our best attempt to address this need in free agency. I haven't seen him enough to really say for sure how effective he has been. Isn't he a bit past his prime in terms of his burst?

Tyreke Evans is 28yo. When you ask if he is past his prime... he is not according to his age. If injuries dont bother him he will be able to play as good as ever.

When it comes to numbers, his prime is his rookie year, however, I believe he can turn into a great player next to Conley and Gasol. This team is in need of a third weapon and whoever is ready to step up and fill that void correctly, that players is going to earn his minutes and shots/touches accordingly.

Being said that, I dont care if that void is filled either by Tyreke or Parsons, but I wish one of them steps up and be that 20ppg player that we need.

If Memphis is unable to resign Tyreke Evans this summer as their 2nd main ball handler / backup pg could trading Chandler Parsons for Evan Turner & Meyers Leonard improve the team?

DoItALL9 wrote:If Memphis is unable to resign Tyreke Evans this summer as their 2nd main ball handler / backup pg could trading Chandler Parsons for Evan Turner & Meyers Leonard improve the team?

Potentially but it depends on how Parsons is looking. He played well for us for a stretch last season but with his injury history the grizzlies may consider a move like this.

VCfor3 wrote:

DoItALL9 wrote:If Memphis is unable to re-sign Tyreke Evans this summer as their 2nd main ball handler/backup pg could trading Chandler Parsons for Evan Turner & Meyers Leonard improve the team?

Potentially but it depends on how Parsons is looking. He played well for us for a stretch last season but with his injury history, the Grizzlies may consider a move like this.

I'm not too big of a fan of this trade scenario. I will say this, Turner will give the Grizzlies a tweener at the 1,2, and 3 positions for what it's worth. Leonard has turned out to be a bust in spite of his potential to be a decent contributor. Another issue I have is the idea of trading two years away to pick up an additional 2 more years of contracts in Turner and Leonard. Portland like the Grizzlies has signed players to questionable monetary agreements over the last couple of years.

SD2042 wrote:

VCfor3 wrote:

DoItALL9 wrote:If Memphis is unable to re-sign Tyreke Evans this summer as their 2nd main ball handler/backup pg could trading Chandler Parsons for Evan Turner & Meyers Leonard improve the team?

Potentially but it depends on how Parsons is looking. He played well for us for a stretch last season but with his injury history, the Grizzlies may consider a move like this.

I'm not too big of a fan of this trade scenario. I will say this, Turner will give the Grizzlies a tweener at the 1,2, and 3 positions for what it's worth. Leonard has turned out to be a bust in spite of his potential to be a decent contributor. Another issue I have is the idea of trading two years away to pick up an additional 2 more years of contracts in Turner and Leonard. Portland like the Grizzlies has signed players to questionable monetary agreements over the last couple of years.

There has to be a basketball consideration to a trade scenario and having Meyers Leonard in the package would not make any sense. If you replaced him with Moe Harkless it could then make basketball sense. The Grizzlies will have a top five pick in the draft which means another young big to work into the rotation so acquiring another big in Leonard when they still may need to jettison a big already on the roster would be a non starter especially @ 9 million per year. The Grizzlies need a starter at the SF position and more depth on the wings with NBA level talent. The trade would balance out the roster at that point.

dark-child wrote:

SD2042 wrote:

VCfor3 wrote:
Potentially but it depends on how Parsons is looking. He played well for us for a stretch last season but with his injury history, the Grizzlies may consider a move like this.

I'm not too big of a fan of this trade scenario. I will say this, Turner will give the Grizzlies a tweener at the 1,2, and 3 positions for what it's worth. Leonard has turned out to be a bust in spite of his potential to be a decent contributor. Another issue I have is the idea of trading two years away to pick up an additional 2 more years of contracts in Turner and Leonard. Portland like the Grizzlies has signed players to questionable monetary agreements over the last couple of years.

There has to be a basketball consideration to a trade scenario and having Meyers Leonard in the package would not make any sense. If you replaced him with Moe Harkless it could then make basketball sense. The Grizzlies will have a top five pick in the draft which means another young big to work into the rotation so acquiring another big in Leonard when they still may need to jettison a big already on the roster would be a non starter especially @ 9 million per year. The Grizzlies need a starter at the SF position and more depth on the wings with NBA level talent. The trade would balance out the roster at that point.

Why assume the Grizz can't draft another SF such as Porter or Bridges? The trade costs Memphis nothing in years and Parsons is frequently benched with injuries. Parsons is an albatross contract so while I understand your contrast in opinion on the deal I'd need to see what else you think he can be moved for to help the team. Or maybe you think he's currently an asset already?

Also Leonard could be moved again. $9M is not a tremendous amount to find a team to take on usually.

I just saw Leonard as salary filler. He wouldn't play meaningful minutes and if Doncic or Porter is our top pick then we have them plus Brooks as our SF. Green, Rabb, and Martin can cover the PF minutes so really there is roughly as much time available for Parsons as there would be for Leonard unless Parsons comes back looking really good and we let Brooks move to SG for us some.

DoItALL9 wrote:

dark-child wrote:

SD2042 wrote:

I'm not too big of a fan of this trade scenario. I will say this, Turner will give the Grizzlies a tweener at the 1,2, and 3 positions for what it's worth. Leonard has turned out to be a bust in spite of his potential to be a decent contributor. Another issue I have is the idea of trading two years away to pick up an additional 2 more years of contracts in Turner and Leonard. Portland like the Grizzlies has signed players to questionable monetary agreements over the last couple of years.

There has to be a basketball consideration to a trade scenario and having Meyers Leonard in the package would not make any sense. If you replaced him with Moe Harkless it could then make basketball sense. The Grizzlies will have a top five pick in the draft which means another young big to work into the rotation so acquiring another big in Leonard when they still may need to jettison a big already on the roster would be a non starter especially @ 9 million per year. The Grizzlies need a starter at the SF position and more depth on the wings with NBA level talent. The trade would balance out the roster at that point.

Why assume the Grizz can't draft another SF such as Porter or Bridges? The trade costs Memphis nothing in years and Parsons is frequently benched with injuries. Parsons is an albatross contract so while I understand your contrast in opinion on the deal I'd need to see what else you think he can be moved for to help the team. Or maybe you think he's currently an asset already?

Also Leonard could be moved again. $9M is not a tremendous amount to find a team to take on usually.

I can hardly consider Parsons an asset when his injuries keeps him off the hardwood. It would be great if Parsons were healthy and contributing well for the team. Unfortunately this is not the case and is a blunder that Wallace caused for the team.

To Moe Harkless: I was a supporter of his when he was drafted by the Magic. At the time, I felt he didn't get the time necessary to show what he was capable of doing on the hardwood. When he was traded to Portland, he first started out pretty good. Then for whatever reason, he rescinded back to his shell. I don't follow the Blazers so I don't know why. Mo puts me in the mindset of how Stromile Swift was during his Grizzly years. The guy had potential, but for whatever the reason he could never put it all together. I think this is what Mo Harkless is at this point.