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The title itself is like a redundant motto that's seen and nearly repeated on the daily basis. Considering how frequent the Grizz have done this for three crappy seasons. How about the title should read "The Grizzlies make changes now" And they will have to do such with their salary cap coming well below the minimum salary expectations. One of the issues that's still naggin me is Hollins refusal to hire a big man coach to help out the Grizz frontcourt players develop better consistancy in their game as players.


Hollins said he hopes to retain Johnny Davis, Henry Bibby, Dave Joerger, Barry Hecker and Damon Stoudamire.

"I didn't want to have an interim coaching staff," Hollins said. "I want to build with them as well. My plan is to go forward (with this group). I do think sometimes about bringing in a big man to coach the bigs. But we're full. If somebody decides to leave, then the first thing I would do is hire a big man. But I'm comfortable with the staff. They fit my personality. Actually, it's been fairly smooth sailing."

Tell me, is there such a thing as too comfortable?

Chris Wallace seems to be active each year and he did pull the trigger on Josh Smith last year and tried to pry Nocioni again even after the Pau Gasol trade failed with Chicago.


I have faith he will go after a few big names but I wouldn't be surprised if we wait for 2010. Remember how excited though when teams like Orlando got Pietrus and Phoenix got Matt Barnes last year? We have to avoid making expensive mistakes like that. hah - or the Jason Maxiell sweepstakes. Oops And for god sake do not make another Brian Cardinal or Marko Jaric failure.

Remember how excited though when teams like Orlando got Pietrus and Phoenix got Matt Barnes last year? We have to avoid making expensive mistakes like that

Huh? How is Matt Barnes a mistake? Good grief the guy is making $1.2 million. He's in no way/shape/form a mistake. I hope the Grizz make a play for him or someone of his ilk next season.

And Pietrus doesn't have that bad of a contract. 5.3 for the next 3 seasons. It can't get anymore reasonable than that.

I love the thought of trading a 2010 #2 to ORL for Pietrus. THis would get ORL the Cap Room they so badly covet.

As much as I can see us getting a Pietrus type of player with his defense and contributions on the offensive end. His injury status so far in his career is a risk as he has missed games during his times with the Warriors and the Magic.

I've been leaning towards Anthony Parker as the Grizzlies need some backcourt offense coming off the bench. Would Parker mind coming here is the big question.

chris wallace was on the geoff and gary show today....looks like he will be re-signing hakim....and may start negations with rudy gay ....other than that didnt say much didnt say any specific names...another important thing he mentioned was that he drafts for talent and not needs, which could be a factor in the upcoming draft

Does re-signing Warrick mean a contract extention or give him the qualifying offer? I think Warrick at least proved he is a good bench player this season and warrants the qualifying offer. An extention for Gay is fine depending on the cost. And I still want to see them use the pick in a trade scenario, but if they do stand pat and use it I think the best player available thinking is the smartest way to go, especially this draft.

If the Grizzlies fail to get the #1 pick in the draft, then who is the best player available they should take a look at?

SD2042 wrote:If the Grizzlies fail to get the #1 pick in the draft, then who is the best player available they should take a look at?

Rubio, if he declares. If not, trade the pick

SD2042, alot depends on what players are drafted ahead of Memphis, assuming they'll be staying right where they are after the lottery draw. From past experience I also think that at least one or two players that were thought of in various mock drafts to be a bit lower picks end up having great individual workouts and moves into the top five. At this point I wouldn't want to predict a certain player.

The other thought I want to bring up is to do with how we viewed the season and whether or not it turned out like we thought it would, kind of a reflection on how we saw things back in October in comparison to how the season actually turned out.

The biggest thing I recall was that most of us didn't expect alot of wins and felt the development and progress of the young team was the most important thing. My own feeling is that if the team had continued how they were playing under Iavoroni then I would have been dissapointed. But with the way they picked up their team game under Hollins and at least played competively even with some of the highend teams made me feel that they at least accomplished part of what we talked about as far as getting better as a team and development to end the season.

In reading the players parting comments it looked like a consensus that they also felt that they learned alot and are hungry to come back more determined to be an improved team. That to me really was the goal. To progress to the point where the players feel like they'll continue to push to be even better the following season and show some maturity.

Looking ahead my wish list is that they make the right decision that makes the most sense of draft day, whether by trade or pick, try to land a really good free agent power forward, or trade for a proven one, and bring in a couple of veteran, high character, leader type players. If they accomplish that, or at least the better part of that then year two of their three year plan just might have them set on the path to the playoffs, or very close.

Suns fan here. I think Hollins and Wallace are setting us up for a trade, i.e Danny Ainge. Remember when the KG trade didn't go down at first? Fans were pissed and said they wanted to keep Big Al. After the trade, Doc came out and said Al wasn't all of that, then a few days later the trade happened!! Well, Wallace said that nobody is untouchable!!! And he said you need front court help. Mayo and Gay are the same type of players. I think the Suns and Griz would do an Amare for the Griz #1 (if it isn't the #1 overall), Gay and Millicic. That way you have.

Conley
Mayo
Amare
Gasol

Griz keep there core and the Suns save money. It won't happen if your pick falls to 8 though. This draft is extremely weak!!

I don't see a trade for Stoudemire($16.3mil) happening, but let's say both teams did want to make it happen. I'm fine with Gay($3.3mil), Milicic($7.5mil), and the Grizzlies pick for Amare. The Grizzlies can easily absorb the $5.5mil difference, which is like a MLE signing. PLus since they won't have their top pick it's another $3mil or so more they'll save, which lowers the figure to $2.5mil. The Suns don't save a ton this year but will next year.

So let's take it the next step. Obviously they need to think about the starting small forward position. Rudy Gay provides the bulk of scoring along with Mayo. But Stoudemire averages even more I think, plus the Grizzlies would have a very dangerous inside/outside game with him and Mayo, and their offensive schemes could be more creative. Amare did his best at the pick and roll game with Nash and Conley can do that pretty well from what I've seen, although certainly not on the same level. So what would be the next step?

Hakim Warrick proved he can provide good offense when put into that role. Could he take over as starting small forward? He does know the system, players, and coaches. He would need to dedicate himself to improving his shot this summer for sure, plus work harder on defense. Would they be better with a complimentary defensive player with just enough offense to force teams not to sag off and double both Mayo and Stoudemire? I think there's a few players out there that could fit the bill and be had, especially the ones that aren't team's first two options on offense.

So the money wouldn't be as big of an issue as I first thought. Having to give up so much talent that it wouldn't make sense for Memphis, as Lionel Hollins pointed out a while back in a story isn't as big a concern as when it was reported that Phoenix wanted Conley as well. Unless something great happens on lottery day the Grizzlies pick isn't as significant as first believed.

Memphis could go after a less expensive free agent small forward such as a Luc Mbah A Moute(although I think the Bucks can match), or a real under the radar player like Ezran Illyasova( still quite young but he got a number of weekly Euroleague MVP awards). Even taking someone like Andres Noccioni(longer contract but frontloaded and declining in value at $7.5mil) off the Kings hand and one of the lower first round picks the Kings have, or swap it for the even lower pick the Grizzlies have from the Magic plus Greg Buckner's $2mil buyout(or so it's been reported) would work. Noccioni is underated in my opinion since he always plays hard on both ends of the floor, and has a solid 3 point shot.

So I'm not opposed to a trade like this as long as it only included one starter like Gay. Milicic and the pick isn't a huge loss for what the Grizzlies would get in return with finally a real inside force. And remember in another two seasons if they keep Gay it will cost them with a big contract for him so moneywise this is a wash. It's more about putting the right pieces together. Having a star on the perimiter and interior is a nice mix.

I can't comment on the Suns end of things though. I'm sure alot of their fans wouldn't like it and some probably would.

Downtown wrote:I don't see a trade for Stoudemire($16.3mil) happening, but let's say both teams did want to make it happen. I'm fine with Gay($3.3mil), Milicic($7.5mil), and the Grizzlies pick for Amare. The Grizzlies can easily absorb the $5.5mil difference, which is like a MLE signing. PLus since they won't have their top pick it's another $3mil or so more they'll save, which lowers the figure to $2.5mil. The Suns don't save a ton this year but will next year.

So let's take it the next step. Obviously they need to think about the starting small forward position. Rudy Gay provides the bulk of scoring along with Mayo. But Stoudemire averages even more I think, plus the Grizzlies would have a very dangerous inside/outside game with him and Mayo, and their offensive schemes could be more creative. Amare did his best at the pick and roll game with Nash and Conley can do that pretty well from what I've seen, although certainly not on the same level. So what would be the next step?

Hakim Warrick proved he can provide good offense when put into that role. Could he take over as starting small forward? He does know the system, players, and coaches. He would need to dedicate himself to improving his shot this summer for sure, plus work harder on defense. Would they be better with a complimentary defensive player with just enough offense to force teams not to sag off and double both Mayo and Stoudemire? I think there's a few players out there that could fit the bill and be had, especially the ones that aren't team's first two options on offense.

So the money wouldn't be as big of an issue as I first thought. Having to give up so much talent that it wouldn't make sense for Memphis, as Lionel Hollins pointed out a while back in a story isn't as big a concern as when it was reported that Phoenix wanted Conley as well. Unless something great happens on lottery day the Grizzlies pick isn't as significant as first believed.

Memphis could go after a less expensive free agent small forward such as a Luc Mbah A Moute(although I think the Bucks can match), or a real under the radar player like Ezran Illyasova( still quite young but he got a number of weekly Euroleague MVP awards). Even taking someone like Andres Noccioni(longer contract but frontloaded and declining in value at $7.5mil) off the Kings hand and one of the lower first round picks the Kings have, or swap it for the even lower pick the Grizzlies have from the Magic plus Greg Buckner's $2mil buyout(or so it's been reported) would work. Noccioni is underated in my opinion since he always plays hard on both ends of the floor, and has a solid 3 point shot.

So I'm not opposed to a trade like this as long as it only included one starter like Gay. Milicic and the pick isn't a huge loss for what the Grizzlies would get in return with finally a real inside force. And remember in another two seasons if they keep Gay it will cost them with a big contract for him so moneywise this is a wash. It's more about putting the right pieces together. Having a star on the perimiter and interior is a nice mix.

I can't comment on the Suns end of things though. I'm sure alot of their fans wouldn't like it and some probably would.

I for one would prefer to keep Amare. He is the best offensive PF in the game and when motivated he is a good interior weakside help defender. Amare offense is quick, it doesn't bog down, that will allow Mayo and Conley to excel.

I loved the proposed trade back at the deadline, I called into the radio station here in PHX and said Conley would be a steal if we got him in the trade. Gambo and Ash on KTAR disagreed with me, obviously Memp saw things as I didthus, they didn't make the trade. In PHX, Gay would help us with spacing, he could play the 3 and a little 4 against the likes of Odom and Outlaw. Millicic is a filler and maybe Hill will be available ate the 5. So, if we are gonna trade Amare, I would rather see Hill and Gay, before I would TT, Noah and the 15th pick, but that is just me.

I think PHX will trade Amare, if so, i hope it is with you guys. I really like Memp and their players. I could root for Amare, Mayo, Conley and Gasol. It may bite PHX in the butt, but oh well.

The Grizz have so much control where Rudy Gay is concerned that I don't see them letting him go even for Amare.

I would attempt to trade Mike Conley and other pieces for:
JR Smith
Linas Kleiza

I would offer 1 of the following restricted/free agents the following:
David Lee 8/yr
Marvin Williams 7/yr

I would attempt to acquire 1 of the following superstars in a CAP space move for their former team:
Amare Stoudamire
Chris Bosh
Carmelo Anthony

After hearing Sonny Vaccaro on Vernon Friday, I'm more intrigued about Brandon Jennings.

I had a huge brain fart as I forgot Chauncey Billups is with Denver, so they will not be trading for a point guard anytime soon.

Sonny Vaccaro brokered the deal to get Jennings with the Italian club and is the loudest voice for kids foregoing college and playing a year internationally. Non partisan observers say Jennings did not exactly set the world on fire in his first season but in this weak draft class he is still considered by most as a likely lottery pick.

Why give up Gay and MEM's '09 1st to get Amare when MEM could give up Milicic/Jaric to get another 20/10 PF in Z-Bo?

SportsFan215 wrote:Why give up Gay and MEM's '09 1st to get Amare when MEM could give up Milicic/Jaric to get another 20/10 PF in Z-Bo?

Simply because Amare Stoudemire is probably the best offensive big man in the game, while Zach Randolph is a fatass with a horrible contract.

I'll sum up both players with youtube clips:

Amare Stoudemire- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJSTXMVk ... re=related

Zach Randolph- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j1q6osDAEc

Need I explain any further?

I say give up nothing and sign Millsap.

You know I'm with you on that one. Memphis needs as much talent from starters to bench as they can get. If you can keep players while adding other good ones then that's the route. If you're as thin on the bench as the Grizzlies and make two for one deals then what?