No More Calls on the Reefer, Is Heisley Washing His Hands of the Grizzlies? According to the Vancouver Sun, Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley doesn't want management making any more calls about Shareef Abdur Rahim or Mike Bibby. Heisley, in Seattle to watch Friday night's game against the Sonics, said 'I don't want any more calls going out. There's a huge amount of discussion about trading him right now,' said Heisley. 'My direction. ... is to say let's step back from this, let's tell the media that's it. We aren't going to stop other people from making calls because you can't. ... and if somebody calls us we have an obligation to look at what they say, but we're not actively out seeking to trade these players right now. I think we've given a wrong impression with the way we've handled this, that we're desperate to make a trade. I'm not desperate to make a trade. I really love Bibby and Shareef. I don't want my players thinking I'm desperate. I don't want the league thinking I'm desperate to get rid of my players because I'm not.' However, in the next breath, Heisley said he does expect some major personnel changes before next season. 'I don't think there's any question we got to make some moves with the team.' Heisley, who has hinted at losses this season well in excess of $25 million, said he has been in contact with league officials about the 'ugly' financial picture in Vancouver and that he and his business people will have to sit down soon and consider how long he can continue to commit to the city. 'I haven't given up yet, but I don't know how I can generate any more interest in the team. I don't have anything up my sleeve that I can do any different.' And if he does decide that the Vancouver market isn't financially viable, he might not be the guy to take the club elsewhere. 'Looking back on it, because the people in Vancouver have been so good, this may be so painful if I had to move I might just sell the team,' said Heisley. ______________________________ Was that our handshake deal that just got flushed down the toilet or is it just confirmation that the deal wasn´t with the Grizzles in the first place? ------------------ "I have posted so much that what I say must be true" [This message has been edited by Thanos (edited January 13, 2001).]
I wonder if this has any bearing on potential deals the Rockets make. I doubt it, but it's still interesting. ------------------ "I have a scale at home and it only goes up so far, I love that scale!" - Charles Barkley TNT Studios
Actually, if you read the statement, he just said that there wouldn't be any more calls about trading Rahim or Bibby going OUT. He goes on to say that they'll listen to any offers they receive. So, this doesn't really change anything, everyone already knows that those guys are available and teams will continue to call Vancouver. ------------------
I agree with aelliott, that doesn't say that Reef is off the block. Just that they don't want to sound desperate to trade him. Supposedly no calls are going out, but they'll be happy to listen to all incoming calls. I don't think there's any doubt Bibby and Reef are still on the block for the right price. ------------------ "I personally don't think Jordan would have enjoyed playing with himself." -- JeffB lets us all know that Popeye and Clutch aren't the only ones with inside sources... (also an example of a BBS "sound-bite") [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited January 13, 2001).]
Yeah, I don't think he's off the block. This could mean anything. It could mean, "Quit calling, because we've already got our trade worked out." Or it could mean, "The trade we envisioned didn't pan out." Or, "Damned Chicago won't take Big Country off our hands, sonofabitches."
They're just trying to drive the price up. By letting all the teams know that they aren't the only ones making offers, it'll naturally up the ante. Just good business sense. ------------------
